NHTSA questions FCA recall response rate in 20 recalls - Detroit Free Press
NHTSA Administrator Mark Rosekind said today the regulatory agency is deeply troubled by the slow pace of repairs for recalls issued by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and plans a public hearing on July 2 to delve into the problem. The last time a similar public hearing was held was in 2012 when NHTSA questioned whether Wildfire Motors fully met its obligations to recall and fix brakes used in motorcycles. In 2013, FCA initially refused to recall 2. 7 million Jeep SUVs linked to more than 50 deaths in rear vehicle collisions. Eventually, the automaker agreed to recall 1. 56 million Jeeps. NHTSA's move also is another signal that Rosekind, who was appointed to lead the agency late last year, is moving towards tougher enforcement of the industry, said Sean Kane, the founder and president of Safety Research & Strategies. Rosekind held a daylong workshop last month to explore ways to improve recall repair rates and held individual meetings with automakers on safety issues. Rosekind's appointment came amid General Motors ignition switch recall crisis and the separate recall of millions of cars with airbags made by auto supplier Takata. Source: www.freep.com
