Expert Recall

By Mike Rozembajgier

In the wake of the major Toyota recalls earlier this summer, both the automotive industry and regulatory bodies such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are treading more carefully when it comes to consumer safety. As part of a renewed effort to err on the side of caution, automotive manufacturers are acting more quickly than ever before to order a recall if they have any doubt as to the safety of the vehicle. The result has been a flurry of recall activity from most major automobile manufacturers, most recently Mazda and Honda. 

While this flurry of recalls is due in large part to the auto industry’s efforts to avoid the reputation problems that have plagued Toyota, there is also an ongoing push by NHTSA and auto safety advocacy groups to expand the Agency’s power to regulate and mandate recalls. To their credit, automakers are proactively adapting to this refocused regulatory environment and taking no chances when it comes to consumer safety.

And with consumer advocacy organizations pushing the Federal Trade Commission to order rental car companies to repair recalled vehicles before renting them out, the spotlight today is shining on automotive safety – and automotive regulation – like never before.

For those companies that haven’t yet instituted a robust program to monitor consumer complaints and identify potential safety issues, now is the time to do so. Manufacturers who wait for regulators or major accidents to bring problems to light risk more than just their reputation.

Manufacturers in all industries should take note of the changing regulatory environment and be proactive in identifying problems before they become disasters. And as you do so, make sure you are prepared with the tools you need to effectively manage any recalls that may come your way.

Stericycle ExpertRECALL™ is the industry leader in recall logistics and regulatory compliance for consumer product, pharmaceutical, medical device, juvenile product, and food and beverage recalls. ExpertRECALL’s professionals are experts in recall management who can help you streamline the entire product recall process.

2 Responses to “NHTSA Scrutiny, Manufacturer Caution Spark Increase in Automotive Recalls”

1. Ford Truck Fuel-Tank Hazard and the “Statute of Limitations” | ExpertRECALL | Recall Management, Product Retrieval, Recall Logistics says:

   October 18, 2010 at 2:44 pm

   [...] Administration (NHTSA) is investigating potential safety hazards on yet another vehicle. But unlike many of the vehicle recalls that have dominated the news recently, this investigation focuses on Ford F-150 trucks from the [...]
2. Ford Recalls Fraction of Vehicles Requested by NHTSA | ExpertRECALL | Recall Management, Product Retrieval, Recall Logistics says:

   February 24, 2011 at 3:08 pm

   [...] regulatory environment, once a defect is identified manufacturers would be well advised to err on the side of caution in their recall management strategies in order protect consumers and maintain a positive [...]