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Feds Offer Car Recall News Electronically

Alerts available via cellphone, computer, and PDA

November 13, 2008

• Feds Offer Car Recall News Electronically • NHTSA Posts "Early Warning" Safety Data on the Web • Court Upholds Public Access to Crash Data • Company Sues Feds For Release Of Safety Data • Feds Asked to Reverse Auto Safety "Secrets" Rule • NHTSA's Dirty Little Secrets • Consumer Group Sues For Release of Recall Data --- • Auto Safety News

Let's say you just bought a recent vintage Ford Focus. If the car becomes subject to a recall you should be notified by mail, but now there may be a faster way to get this important information.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has unveiled a new initiative to notify vehicle owners electronically when their car is recalled. The recall alerts can be received via e-mail or RSS-feeds on personal computers, cell phones or PDA devices-automatically and free-of-charge. However, consumers must sign up to receive the notices.

According to NHTSA, there are about 600 vehicle recalls each year. Historically, one in four motorists ignore these recalls when they are announced.

"It is extremely important that people are aware of recalls and act quickly to get their vehicles repaired," Transportation Secretary Mary Secretary Peters said. "When it comes down to it, ignoring a recall means ignoring a safety defect that could put you and your family at risk."

Under the new alert system, consumers can elect to receive all vehicle recalls as they are made public, or personalize the alerts to specific vehicles.

David Kelly, acting administrator of NHTSA, noted that the vehicle recall notification system is an expansion of the agency's consumer safety communications program. Earlier this year, NHTSA also introduced automated recall alerts for child safety seats and tires.

"I urge everyone to visit the safercar.gov website and sign up for all three recall alert programs," Kelly said. "In these cases, information is not just power, it can save your life and the lives of your family and loved ones."

To start receiving NHTSA's recall alerts, go to www.safercar.gov and select the "Email recall notifications" option.

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