NHTSA To Customers: Fix It Yourself

Bertel Schmitt
by Bertel Schmitt

In what amounts to a landmark policy shift, NHTSA now recommends that customers take quality problems in their own hands, and perform recalls themselves. Take NHTSA Campaign ID number 10V305000.

Summary: MCNEILUS IS RECALLING CERTAIN TRUCKS BUILT ON AUTOCAR CHASSIS. DURING THE REFUSE BODY MOUNTING PROCESS, CHASSIS AIR TANKS MAY BE RELOCATED TO FACILITATE MOUNTING OF THE BODY. AIRLINES TO THE AIR HOLDBACK VALVE MAY HAVE BEEN RECONNECTED INCORRECTLY AFTER A TANK(S) WAS RELOCATED.

Consequence: A RELOCATED TANK COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL INSPECT VEHICLES AND PERFORM REPAIRS FREE OR CHARGE.

What ever happened to “Stop driving it, take it to your dealer?” Now, customers have to do it themselves, or charge? Whom? How much? With what? With a pitchfork? With manslaughter? (Just in case NHTSA gets around to fixing it themselves, here’s a screenshot.)

PS: TTAC reiterates its policy of not reporting each and every recall. Too many reports have been added to the NHTSA database. Our system can’t handle that kind of a workload. Apparently, we are not alone.

Bertel Schmitt
Bertel Schmitt

Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.

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  • Phantomwolf Phantomwolf on Jul 04, 2010

    Unfortunately, my experience with mechanics recently has demonstrated that sometimes I as the consumer am better off doing the repair myself, unfortunately. Need I get started on my birthday weekend automotive adventure from hell.....

  • Nikita Nikita on Jul 05, 2010

    This is more like Airbus issuing a Service Bulletin and United having to do the work on its own dime. In my industry that is how its done. Even the private owner of a Cessna is subjected to the same thing most of the time, and if the FAA elevates it to an Airworthiness Directive, its mandatory.

  • CarPerson CarPerson on Jul 05, 2010

    Policy shift? This is the outfit that turns a blind eye to totally fogged-over headlights, allowing the automakers to shift this safety repair onto the vehicle owener or let it go unrepaired.

  • Steven02 Steven02 on Jul 06, 2010

    Speaking of policy, what is TTAC's policy on reporting recalls? A garbage truck recall seems interesting to report when there are other recalls that seem more relevant.

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