The agency scheduled today’s hearing to gather public comment on its findings, however officials already appear to be readying a potential enforcement action for any violations of federal regulations.
The company is accused of failing to properly communicate with the NHTSA, failing to notify owners of defective vehicles in a timely manner, implementing repairs that did not resolve safety issues, and failing to promptly arrange parts supplies, among other gripes. In some cases, owners allegedly had to wait more than 18 months before parts were available to fix their vehicles.
In his strongest language yet, NHTSA Administrator Mark Rosekind argued that “there’s a pattern that has been going on for sometime frankly,” according to quotes from the hearing published by The Detroit News.
“In every one of the 23 recalls, we have identified ways in which Fiat Chrysler failed to do its job,” added NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation head Jennifer Timian. “Problems with the information that Fiat Chrysler reports — or in many cases, fails to report — to NHTSA are also widespread.”
The alleged misbehavior “impedes our ability to do our job,” Timian said, arguing that FCA’s lack of proper communication “obstructs our ability” to conduct oversight and pursue safety issues.
Other officials spoke of a “lack of urgency,” echoing statements made about General Motors in the wake of the ignition-switch fiasco.
The agency has not yet outlined its next step, though Rosekind suggests there will be “action soon after the docket closes.” Potential moves include forcing buybacks of recalled vehicles, levying fines or reaching a settlement with a consent agreement.
“Some of the things we’ve done were sloppy,” admitted FCA’s head of safety and regulatory affairs, Scott Kunselman, in a follow-up interview with The Detroit News. “We absolutely had no misintent.”
Leave a Reply