The NHTSA -- represented by Administrator Mark Rosekind -- alongside U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx, consumer safety advocates, and others called on Congress earlier this week to pass legislation requiring rental car companies and used car dealers to fix safety defects before selling or renting vehicles subject to recalls.
You have likely heard a friend or family member deem a used or rental vehicle a "lemon," but the NHTSA has set out to eliminate this recurring issue. The main reason being of course, that if a driver is given a vehicle that has some sort of safety defect, it is putting that driver's life -- and the lives of innocent others -- in danger knowingly.
The new legislation would require used car dealers and rental car agencies to fix any vehicle subject to recall prior to selling or renting the automobile. Under the current law, only new cars must be fixed prior to sale, meaning rental agencies and used car dealers do not have fix any issues.
“Every vehicle under an open safety recall should be repaired as soon as possible,” said Secretary Foxx in a press release from NHTSA. “Requiring rental car agencies and used car dealers to fix defective vehicles before renting is a common-sense solution that would make our roads safer. Safety advocates and the rental car industry have taken a stand for safety, and we need Congress to do so as well.”
While no decision was made yet, we will keep you updated as this story develops. Hopefully Congress moves forward with the NHTSA's plan in order to keep our roads safer.
You have likely heard a friend or family member deem a used or rental vehicle a "lemon," but the NHTSA has set out to eliminate this recurring issue. The main reason being of course, that if a driver is given a vehicle that has some sort of safety defect, it is putting that driver's life -- and the lives of innocent others -- in danger knowingly.
The new legislation would require used car dealers and rental car agencies to fix any vehicle subject to recall prior to selling or renting the automobile. Under the current law, only new cars must be fixed prior to sale, meaning rental agencies and used car dealers do not have fix any issues.
“Every vehicle under an open safety recall should be repaired as soon as possible,” said Secretary Foxx in a press release from NHTSA. “Requiring rental car agencies and used car dealers to fix defective vehicles before renting is a common-sense solution that would make our roads safer. Safety advocates and the rental car industry have taken a stand for safety, and we need Congress to do so as well.”
While no decision was made yet, we will keep you updated as this story develops. Hopefully Congress moves forward with the NHTSA's plan in order to keep our roads safer.