ABA Family Legal Guide

Automobiles

Consumer Protections

Recalls

How does the automobile recall process begin?

A manufacturer may issue a recall in response to owner complaints. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) influences the recall process, and orders many recalls. The NHTSA fields safety-related complaints through letters and its toll-free telephone hot line. When the NHTSA registers enough complaints, NHTSA engineers perform an engineering analysis. Then the NHTSA engineers contact the automobile's manufacturer. The manufacturer must either remedy the defect or launch its own defect investigation.