Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 213 specifies requirements for child restraint systems used in motor vehicles
• Before initiating an investigation, ODI carefully reviews the following to determine whether an alleged defect trend may exist. • Auto Safety Hotline • Vehicle Owner Questionnaires • Correspondence • Technical Service Bulletins • Dealer Communications • Other available data to determine whether an alleged defect trend may exist
While there are certain areas within the TREAD Act that need improvement, NHTSA has worked hard to ensure that new rules are issued in a timely manner. Major crash avoidance and consumer information rules: Early warning information system to alert consumers on defects: F Tire pressure monitoring system to alert consumers of under-inflated tires: F Consumer reimbursement for defective vehicles or parts that are later recalled: D Rollover propensity consumer information program: C- ( Note: Companion rule on vehicle handling as yet un-issued) New tire safety standards: D NHTSA Average for implementation of these Major Safety rules from TREAD:D Timeliness of issuance of rules: A-
Preliminary Evaluation (PE) • Initial phase of a NHTSA investigation • Most PEs are resolved within four months • Options: • May be upgraded to EA • Recall initiated • Investigation closed Engineering Analysis (EA) • Undertaken if data from a PE indicate further examination of a potential safety defect is warranted • Most EAs are resolved within one year • Second and final phase of a NHTSA investigation • Safety recall may be initiated or investigation closed Recall Query (RQ) • NHTSA monitors recalls to ensure that the scope, completion rate, and remedy are adequate • May be expanded or an adjustment in existing remedies is required Defect or Recall Petition (DP or RP) • NHTSA may be petitioned to investigate an alleged safety defect or whether a manufacturer has successfully carried out the requirements of a recall
Labeling on the child restraint itself must include both an address and phone number for the manufacturer • Manufacturers are required to maintain these registration records for a minimum of six years from the date of manufacture of the seat • Child restraints built into vehicles at the factory are exempt from these registration requirements.
11% of these (in both time periods) were reported as campaigned units (those restraints that were reported remedied, removed from sale to the public, or removed from use by the public.)
During this time manufacturers are required to provide recall kits or a remedy to the consumer. After the 18 month period, there is no legal obligation to provide a kit or remedy although many do.