$Unique_ID{BRK01811}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Auto Safety Hotline}
$Subject{Auto Hotline motor vehicle vehicles car cars truck trucks van vans
recall recalls recalled investigate investigating investigation investigations
voluntary safe hazard hazards hazardous National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration U.S. Department Transportation literature brochure brochures
pamphlet pamphlets information}
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Copyright (c) 1993  Tribune Media Services, Inc.


A Resource About Auto Safety Hotline


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     Ever wonder how a motor vehicle recall gets started?  Well, in many cases
it is you the consumer that provides the first warning that something is
wrong.  Your call (and a few others, of course) puts the government engineers
to work collecting all the data they can, to determine if your problem is more
wide spread.  When circumstances dictate, the government requests the
manufacturer to do a voluntary recall.  If that doesn't occur, a formal
investigation takes place seeking to confirm the safety hazard.  When such a
condition is discovered it may then lead to an order from the government to
the manufacturer, requesting that the recall take place.
     Your access to this process is through the Auto Safety Hotline, run by
the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an agency of the U.S.
Department of Transportation.  The number is 1-800-424-9393, and can be
reached from anywhere in the United States, including Alaska, Hawaii, the
Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.  (Residents of the Washington, DC area can use
a local number (202) 366-0123).  Operators (including a Spanish speaking
operator) are on duty weekdays from 8 AM to 4 PM Eastern time.  At other times
an answering machine will take your information.  You can also order a wide
variety of safety literature from the Hotline simply by calling.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.