Detroit, MI — May 20, 2015 — On July 2, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration plans to conduct a public hearing regarding the recall-related actions of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. According to a statement from this organization, the hearing will review several recalls over different features, including ignition switches, air bag inflators and other elements in the company’s vehicles.
The total amount of recalls pertain to millions of vehicles, including such models as Dodge Chargers, Dodge Challengers and Jeep Grand Cherokees. The NHTSA is concerned that Chrysler has not sufficiently addressed the individual problems and is acting partly in response to consumer complaints.
Among this group of recalls, the highest amount of vehicles addressed in a single action is the December 2014 recall, issued in response to defective Takata airbags, which affected more than 2.9 million vehicles.
In the statement from the NHTSA, Administrator Mark Rosekind said that the organization intends to encourage proper behavior from Chrysler that extends beyond the initial recall announcement when a defect is detected.
“It is not enough to identify defects,” he said. “Manufacturers have to fix them. Significant questions have been raised as to whether this company is meeting its obligations to protect the drivers from safety defects, and today we are launching a process to ensure that those obligations are met.”
The Detroit News also quoted Rosekind, who said that the officials will “use all available tools” to spur on compliance from the manufacturer. Some of the vehicles included in older recalls are no longer produced by the company.
To support the NHTSA’s vision for sustained improvement after a recall commences, manufacturers have to commit to making changes and promoting proper information among car dealers and consumers alike. With the proper recall systems, disseminating information is more achievable.
