NHTSA unveils new consumer recall database

Sources report that as many as 70% of vehicles subject to a recall have not had the service performed

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued its final version of a rule regulating consumer access to information on whether a vehicle has been the subject of a recall and if the work has been done. All passenger car and light commercial vehicle and motorcycle manufacturers will have to enable consumers' ability to search by vehicle identification number (VIN) to check on their vehicle. Several manufacturers already do; those that do not or do not have enough detail must comply by August 2014.