NHTSA may mandate automakers to send recall notifications via email

Palo Alto, California-based market researcher Radicati Group, Inc. data shows that over 205 billion emails are sent each and every day, making electronic mail the most convenient form of information distribution in a global setup.

1966’s National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act provided the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration the authority to issue recalls for defective vehicles, vehicle parts, and child safety seats, among others. In 2015, the NHTSA issued 52 million recalls, setting a new record. This is mostly due to defective air bags which were manufactured by Japanese automotive parts maker Takata Corp.

Currently, automakers inform their customers of a recent recall via physical mail through the United States Postal Service, which can be problematic for consumers because these mail can be interspersed with other mail and be lost completely, making consumers unaware about the latest recall.

This is why the NHTSA is proposing to require automakers to inform consumers about recalls via email, with the logic that even if said consumers change residence, a vehicle owner will be less likely to miss a recall notice if said notice is delivered to their electronic mails.

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