FCA Set To Meet NHTSA Over Recalls Despite Desire To Cancel Hearing
Though FCA insists its compliance with the NHTSA over its recalls no longer merits a hearing, the agency will press forward with its order.
The automaker is set to meet the agency for a special hearing July 2 to discuss its handling of 20 recalls covering 11 million vehicles since 2013, Detroit Free Press reports, and was sent a 12-page questionnaire to answer by June 1. FCA sent an 18-page response back to the NHTSA, giving details on its safety record, repair completion rates, and how it will handle safety concerns moving forward.
Thus, FCA believes a meeting the NHTSA is no longer necessary. However, NHTSA representative Gordon Trowbridge said the hearing will go on as planned, explaining the procedure “is a part of the process for determining whether the company has met its obligations.”
The agency itself praised FCA Thursday for its compliance with the order and thoroughness it was undertaken, while the automaker said it has taken a number of actions to improve product safety, including reviews of the recall process and creating a stand-alone organization to help with safety and compliance.
[Photo credit: Alex L. Dykes/ The Truth About Cars]
Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.
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Payback for the fuel tank pushback? I'm not sure if that's the case or if this is just the new normal for an empowered nhtsa.
No, the first response of the NHTSA is the correct one: It's part of the process. Even though every element of the response to the questionnaire can be checked independently, the process requires a hearing to go over every item. I spent years working for a state government in transportation. The process checks all the boxes to provide maximum butt-cover. In government, the process is everything.
Chrysler has put profits over safety. Instead or replacing or retrofitting this gas tanks, they took the cheap route and put hooks on back. They didn't want to spend or lose allot of money.