Audit Into NHTSA Reveals Problems

[William Maley]

Audit Into NHTSA Reveals Problems

William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com

October 26, 2011

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently had an audit done after congressional leaders gave the department some harsh criticism over the handling of Toyota Motor Corp.'s sudden acceleration recalls. The results of the audit casts a dark shadow.

The audit found NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation doesn't track whether it has reviews a consumer complaint. Nor does it document well how the defect assessment panel decides whether to open a preliminary investigation.

The audit also found there was no process for deciding whether to seek outside assistance and should "develop a formal training program to ensure staff has the necessary skills and expertise". Between 2002 and 2009, 15 of NHTSA's 23 defect investigators took training courses related to automobile technology, dynamics and crashes.

NHTSA said it plans to complete a review of its defects office by April 2013.

Source:

The Detroit News

[loki]

bureaucratic fumbling. not surprising....and more wasteful $$ spent.

[FAPTurbo]

If the NHTSA had the funding it actually needs to operate effectively, this money may not have been wasted, and the bureaucracy would have done its job effectively.

[CSpec]

Why do they even exist? The IIHS seems to do just fine.

[balthazar]

If the NHTSA had the funding it actually needs to operate effectively, this money may not have been wasted, and the bureaucracy would have done its job effectively.

You used 'bureaucracy' and 'effectively' in the same sentence.

[Drew Dowdell]

This is basic trouble ticket tracking stuff.