Nhtsa Oversight Of Safety Defects And New Automotive Technologies

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) mission is to save lives, prevent injuries, and reduce the economic costs due to traffic crashes. As such, NHTSA is responsible for overseeing vehicle safety, a task made more challenging by the increasingly complex electronics and software used in today's vehicles. NHTSA's oversight faces greater scrutiny after a series of high-profile vehicle recalls that highlighted deficiencies with NHTSA's safety-defect investigation processes. This book addresses challenges identified for NHTSA's oversight of safety defects; NHTSA's implementation of a new IT system for safety-defect investigations; and how NHTSA is addressing new technologies in its oversight of vehicle safety, among other things.

NHTSA's mission is to save lives, prevent injuries, and reduce the economic costs due to traffic crashes. As such, NHTSA is responsible for overseeing vehicle safety, a task made more challenging by the increasingly complex electronics and software used in today's vehicles. NHTSA's oversight faces greater scrutiny after a series of high-profile vehicle recalls that highlighted deficiencies with NHTSA's safety-defect investigation processes. GAO was asked to examine NHTSA's oversight of safety defects and new automotive technologies. This report addresses: (1) challenges identified for NHTSA's oversight of safety defects, (2) NHTSA's implementation of a new IT system for safety-defect investigations, and (3) how NHTSA is addressing new technologies in its oversight of vehicle safety, among other things. GAO reviewed reports on NHTSA's safety-defect process since 2005, such as reports by the Department of Transportation (DOT) Inspector General and literature from scholarly journals, as well as NHTSA budget requests, reports, and priority plans; compared NHTSA's project-management documents for the CIF system to DOT guidance and other recognized practices for project management; and interviewed NHTSA officials and industry stakeholders.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA's) mission is to save lives, prevent injuries, and reduce the economic costs due to traffic crashes. As such, NHTSA is responsible for overseeing vehicle safety, a task made more challenging by the increasingly complex electronics and software used in today's vehicles. NHTSA's oversight faces greater scrutiny after a series of high-profile vehicle recalls that highlighted deficiencies with NHTSA's safety-defect investigation processes. This report addresses: (1) challenges identified for NHTSA's oversight of safety defects; (2) NHTSA's implementation of a new information technology (IT) system for safety-defect investigations; and (3) how NHTSA is addressing new technologies in its oversight of vehicle safety, among other things. Tables and figures. This is a print on demand report.

NHTSA's test procedures used in investigating a potential defect involving rear axle separation in 1978-80 GM A-body cars and trucks.

In 2010, auto manufacturers recalled more vehicles than any other year, according to the Nat. Highway Traffic Safety Admin. (NHTSA), the federal oversight authority for vehicle recalls. However, many recalled vehicles are never fixed, posing a risk to vehicle operators, other drivers, and pedestrians. After the recent recalls of Toyota vehicles, Congress raised questions about the auto safety defect recall process, including the sufficiency of NHTSA's oversight authorities and whether vehicle owners are being effectively motivated to comply with recalls. This report reviewed laws and documents and interviewed NHTSA and stakeholders about the (1) extent of NHTSA's role in the recall process, and how its authorities compare to selected federal and foreign agencies that oversee recalls; (2) benefits and challenges of the recall process for NHTSA and manufacturers; and (3) options for improving the recall process. Figures and tables. This is a print on demand report.

Congress is considering legislation to strengthen federal regulation of auto safety. Contents of this report: (1) Intro.: Nat. Highway Traffic Safety Admin. (NHTSA); (2) Fed. Oversight of Auto Safety: Sudden Acceleration Complaints; Audi Historical Precedents; Toyota-Related Complaints Since 2000; NHTSA Response to Toyota Complaints; (3) Toyota: Toyota Corp. Structure; Black Box Avail.; Recall Impact on Toyota Sales; Toyota Lobbying; (4) Policy Issues and the Congressional Response: Does NHTSA Have Enough Resources for Defects Investigation?; Is the Toyota Issue a Sign of Broader Problems Within the Auto Industry?; Are Electronics and Software Testing Stringent Enough?; Electronic Throttle Problems. Illustrations.