NHTSA Advisory Failed to Include Complete List of Recalled Vehicles

Last week, as we discussed here, NHTSA issued a rare Consumer Advisory about the Takata exploding airbag recall. The Advisory purported to include a complete list of vehicles that were part of the recall, and warned people who owned cars on the list to immediately take their vehicles in to a dealership to have the airbags replaced.

The problem? NHTSA’s Advisory was wrong. It failed to identify all of the vehicles that had been recalled. 

In an effort to provide a current and accurate and complete list of vehicles that are part of the recall for our clients and their families, we’ve put together a spreadsheet of recalled vehicles based on the most recent publicly disclosed data. There is a copy of our spreadsheet at the end of this article. 

Because this “rolling recall” continues to develop, consumers looking for accurate answers to whether their vehicle has been recalled shouldn’t just rely just on what’s on NHTSA’s website or our list. Instead vehicle owners should go to the source — they should visit their vehicle manufacturer’s website and check to see whether their vehicle identification number is on the latest recall list.

We understand that NHTSA is finally trying to address the Takata airbag issue, which is great. However, NHTSA’s first rule should be to “do no harm.” By issuing an inaccurate Consumer Advisory some families might be left with the false impression that their vehicles are safe. 

NHTSA should immediately issue another Advisory with an updated and accurate list. They should have the list on thier website and issue a press release so the public knows about the mistake and double checks to make sure their vehicles haven’t been recalled. 

Yesterday Senator Bill Nelson, a senior member of the Senate Commerce Committee, announced that he plans to conduct Senate hearings on this issue as part of a Senate investigation. As Senator Nelson’s investigation unfolds, it’s quite possible that this recall will expand to include even more vehicles that are not yet part of the recall.

If this recall grows NHTSA will certainly have to update its list. If and when that happens, hopefully they will get it right.