NHTSA Investigating Delay Of General Motors Recall

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched an investigation into why General Motors Co. did not promptly recall more than 1.6 million vehicles after it learned that faulty ignition switches were causing fatal crashes.

GM, on February 27, issued its second apology for not moving faster to fix the problem, which is linked to thirteen deaths in the Chevrolet Cobalt and other small cars.

Safety experts praised the start of the investigation, which could result in up to a fine of up to $35 million, but faulted NHTSA for not taking action earlier, when it found out about the problem.

After looking at the chronology of events behind the recalls, Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA) said the safety agency should improve the system for automaker reporting of potential safety defects.

"We need to overhaul the Early Warning Reporting system so that NHTSA is not looking at auto defects through a rearview mirror," said Markey, a member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. "Making more information public can help prevent accidents and deadly crashes, and I look forward to hearing from NHTSA on this important matter."

In a statement, NHTSA said it constantly monitors a variety of data. "When the agency finds a trend that indicates a vehicle may be an outlier, we take action. The data available to NHTSA at the time did not contain sufficient evidence of a possible safety defect trend that would warrant the agency opening a formal investigation."

The agency also said that its investigators will now "determine whether GM properly followed the legal processes and requirements for reporting recalls."

Part of the problem is that NHTSA does not have a big enough budget to follow every lead, Clarence Ditlow, Executive Director of the Center for Auto Safety, said. "NHTSA can't put a cop on every block. The system is built on trust that the manufacturer will do the right thing."

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