There are millions of cars that drive around the whole country. Most cars, eventually, will break down for you. You need to report anything that might make your car have a safety defect. Report difficulties with tires and child restraints also.
Why to report defects
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is designed to make certain vehicles and anything correlated are safe. Everything can’t be tested by the NHTSA with so many cars around. NHTSA like help when trying to “connect the dots” so they know how to proceed. Safety recalls and investigations are spurred by these complaints. Car manufacturers often don’t like admitting defects in their vehicles until a safety recall is initiated, so reporting to the NHTSA is the only sure way to make sure action is taken on your complaint.
What you need to report
The NHTSA likes it when any concern about safety is brought to their attention. For example, if your brakes appear to fail, that should be reported. Airbag malfunctions have to be reported. Report child seat difficulties, tires difficulties, and troubles with other components as well. Anything that might make a crash happen, make a crash worse, or hurt any person should be on this list.
Getting in contact with the NHTSA
Reporting a possible problem to the NHTSA is relatively easy. There is the Office of Defects Investigation website or you are able to call 888-327-4236. The car you are talking about needs to be listed with its make and model. The NHTSA needs to be able to contact you as well in case an investigation happens. There is a huge database that connects all of the complaints to see if anybody else has made the exact same complaint as you.
Additional reading
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation website
odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/index.cfm
