Department of Transportation's Motor Vehicle Defect-Testing Procedures Were Reasonable--Public Announcements of Potential Safety Defects Could Be Improved
RCED-85-28
Published: Nov 09, 1984. Publicly Released: Dec 10, 1984.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO examined: (1) the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) policies and procedures for initiating and conducting investigations into alleged defects in motor vehicles; (2) the NHTSA investigation of an alleged defect in vehicles produced by a certain manufacturer; and (3) the release to the news media by NHTSA of certain information pertaining to the investigation.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Transportation | The Secretary of Transportation should instruct the Administrator, NHTSA, to issue guidelines requiring NHTSA to accompany any film of defect tests released to the media with a clear explanation of any modification to the vehicle or replacement equipment and the conditions under which the tests were conducted. The guidelines should also require that NHTSA not release test film or other information gathered to support its initial determination to the media or the public before providing it to the manufacturer. |
See accomplishment report A-RCED-85-21.
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Consumer protectionInformation leakingInvestigations by federal agenciesMotor vehicle safetyOccupational safetyProduct recallsTelevision broadcastingTestingEngineeringMotor vehicles