Zero recall
28 April 2011
The UK’s car safety recall system needs a complete overhaul, says Which? Car as it compares the effectiveness of the US and UK watchdogs.
The British system, administered by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA), allows carmakers to determine when recalls are necessary – whereas in the US the National Highway Traffic System Administration (NHTSA) uses its power to force manufacturers into action if it believes a car has a safety problem.
In 2010, the NHTSA instigated 118 recalls, VOSA zero. At least, Which? Car believes VOSA didn’t force any recalls as the government body declined to tell the consumer champion. Further investigation found a Freedom of Information response on its website: “VOSA has not been required to use its powers to force a manufacturer into conducting a recall.”*
In the past three years, NHTSA investigations have resulted in 492 actions, involving more than 20 million vehicles. And Which? Car has found evidence of cars being recalled in the US, but not the UK. For example, in 2005 Volvo USA recalled V70 models made between 1999 and 2002 to fix a throttle fault that caused a sudden massive reduction in power steering, braking assistance and engine power, while Volvo UK did not.**
Volvo is not the only carmaker to shy away from issuing vehicle recalls in the UK. Previous generation Vauxhall Merivas suffered with intermittent loss of power steering, yet Vauxhall refused to issue a recall; BMW’s original Mini suffered similar power steering issues, but BMW did not issue a recall either.***
Richard Headland, editor, Which? Car, says:
“VOSA is a toothless organisation that appears to pander to the car industry. Which? Car believes it is providing a sub-standard level of protection to British motorists. In contrast, America’s NHTSA leads the way as an example of how a safety recall organisation should operate.”
Which? Car believes the UK’s vehicle recall system needs to be brought in line with that of the US, where NHTSA proactively responds to consumer complaints and ensures recalls happen when it thinks lives could be at risk. Which? Car aims to meet VOSA to discuss the actions it believes the government body should take to better protect consumers.
Notes to Editor
*The statement was in a FOI response dated 5 October 2010 regarding Land Rover published on VOSA’s website.
**Volvo UK declined to respond to Which? Car, but an official response to the problem issued in 2008 cited emission rules, not safety, as the cause of the US recall – and that UK emissions rules are different. Which? Car thinks that a sudden change to the way a car drives – even if it remains within legal limits – is clearly a safety issue.
***Both manufacturers say these were not safety problems so did not warrant recalls. The previous generation Vauxhall Meriva was sold between 2003 and 2010. The original BMW Mini was sold between 2001 and 2008.
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