NHTSA’s Final Rule Amends Defect Reporting

Sept. 15, 2015
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Department of Transportation (DOT) have issued a final rule that amends NHTSA's regulation requiring motor vehicle manufacturers and replacement equipment manufacturers to notify owners and purchasers of a defect or noncompliance in vehicles or equipment that they produced.  

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Department of Transportation (DOT)have issued a final rule that amends NHTSA's regulation requiring motor vehicle manufacturers and replacement equipment manufacturers to notify owners and purchasers of a defect or noncompliance in vehicles or equipment that they produced.

The amendments in this final rule will clarify that a manufacturer of replacement equipment providing a defect or noncompliance notification pursuant to this regulation can inform the purchaser of the replacement equipment of the manufacturer's intent to remedy the defect or noncompliance by refunding the purchase price of the replacement equipment.

NHTSA is amending this regulation so that the regulation conforms to changes in the defect and noncompliance remedy provisions in the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act (Safety Act) contained in the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21).

This final rule is effective November 13. Petitions for reconsideration: Petitions for reconsideration of this final rule must be received not later than October 29.