Department of Transportation's Investigation of Rear Brake Lockup Problems in 1980 X-Body Cars Should Have Been More Timely
RCED-83-195
Published: Aug 05, 1983. Publicly Released: Aug 05, 1983.
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Highlights
In response to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) investigation of alleged rear brake lockup problems in General Motors' 1980 X-body cars.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Transportation | The Secretary of Transportation should instruct the Administrator, NHTSA, to reaffirm the need for compliance with the policies and procedures for conducting defect investigations; specifically, the Administrator should stress that the actions called for by the policies and procedures be performed in a timely manner. |
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
|
| Federal Highway Traffic Safety Administration | The Secretary of Transportation should instruct the Administrator, NHTSA, to reaffirm the need for compliance with the policies and procedures for conducting defect investigations; specifically, the Administrator should stress that the actions called for by the policies and procedures be performed in a timely manner. |
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
|
| Federal Highway Traffic Safety Administration | The Secretary of Transportation should instruct the Administrator, NHTSA, to clarify the defect investigation policies and procedures; specifically, the Administrator should clarify when defect investigation test reports should be entered in the case files and what test information should be provided to a manufacturer and when and by whom. Also, any exception to issuing a press release when opening a formal investigation should be justified and made a part of the public record. |
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
|
| Department of Transportation | The Secretary of Transportation should instruct the Administrator, NHTSA, to clarify the defect investigation policies and procedures; specifically, the Administrator should clarify when defect investigation test reports should be entered in the case files and what test information should be provided to a manufacturer and when and by whom. Also, any exception to issuing a press release when opening a formal investigation should be justified and made a part of the public record. |
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
|
| Federal Highway Traffic Safety Administration | The Secretary of Transportation should instruct the Administrator, NHTSA, to require top-level officials to participate in the defect investigation process; specifically, a representative from the Administrator's or the Deputy Administrator's staff should attend key defect investigation decision meetings, such as the defect review panel meetings when a decision is made to open a formal defects investigation case, close out the investigation, or seek more information on the alleged problem. |
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
|
| Department of Transportation | The Secretary of Transportation should instruct the Administrator, NHTSA, to require top-level officials to participate in the defect investigation process; specifically, a representative from the Administrator's or the Deputy Administrator's staff should attend key defect investigation decision meetings, such as the defect review panel meetings when a decision is made to open a formal defects investigation case, close out the investigation, or seek more information on the alleged problem. |
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
|
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