Safety Related Recall Campaigns For Motor Vehicles And Motor Vehicle Equipment Including Tires Reported To The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration By Domestic And Foreign Vehicle Manufacturers January 1 1994 To December 31 1994

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.

The automotive industry appears close to substantial change engendered by “self-driving” technologies. This technology offers the possibility of significant benefits to social welfare—saving lives; reducing crashes, congestion, fuel consumption, and pollution; increasing mobility for the disabled; and ultimately improving land use. This report is intended as a guide for state and federal policymakers on the many issues that this technology raises.