RECALL Act

To ensure that owners of all motor vehicles in use on United States roadways are made aware of, and obtain repairs for, manufacturer-issued safety recalls in a timely manner. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Repairing Every Car to Avoid Lost Lives Act RECALL Act 2. Compliance with safety recalls (a) In general Subchapter II of chapter 301 30129. Compliance with safety recalls (a) Prompt notification of automobile safety recalls A State is in compliance with this subsection if the agency responsible for motor vehicle registration in such State ensures, by searching the recall database maintained by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, using the motor vehicle identification number, that each registered owner of a motor vehicle registered in such State is notified of all safety recalls issued by the manufacturer of the vehicle— (1) in any case other than a case described in paragraph (2), not later than the date on which the agency responsible for motor vehicle registration in such State notifies such registered owner of the need to renew the registered owner's motor vehicle registration; or (2) in a case in which the motor vehicle owner is applying, for the first time, to register a vehicle in the State or in a case in which a safety recall occurs after the date on which the registration renewal notice is sent to the owner and before the State grants the renewal, not later than the date on which the motor vehicle registration is completed. (b) Safety recall remedies To be completed before motor vehicle registration renewals (1) In general Except as provided in paragraph (2), a State is in compliance with this subsection if the State requires, as a prerequisite for motor vehicle registration renewal, that all motor vehicle owners complete all applicable safety recalls. (2) Exception A State shall be in compliance with this subsection if the State exempts a motor vehicle owner from the requirement described in paragraph (1) in the following cases: (A) The motor vehicle owner had not been notified of the safety recall on or before the date on which the owner was notified of the need to renew the motor vehicle registration. (B) The manufacturer, through a local dealership, has not provided the motor vehicle owner with a reasonable opportunity to complete any applicable safety recall remedy due to a shortage of a necessary part or qualified labor. (C) The motor vehicle owner demonstrates to the State that the owner has had no reasonable opportunity to complete all applicable safety recall remedies, in which case the State may grant a temporary registration, of up to 60 days, during which time the motor vehicle owner shall complete all applicable safety recall remedies. (c) Withholding of funds for noncompliance On the first day of each fiscal year beginning at least 1 year after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary of Transportation shall withhold, from each State that is not in compliance with subsections (a) and (b), 5 percent of the amount otherwise required to be apportioned to such State under paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 104(b) of title 23 for the purposes specified in such paragraphs. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections for chapter 301 section 30128 30129. Compliance with safety recalls. .

Summary: Repairing Every Car to Avoid Lost Lives Act or the RECALL Act This bill declares that a state is in compliance with safety recall requirements if the state agency responsible for motor vehicle registration ensures, by a motor vehicle identification number search of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's recall database, that each registered owner of a motor vehicle registered in the state is notified of all recalls issued by the vehicle's manufacturer by certain deadlines, depending on when the vehicle is registered. A state must also require that owners complete all recall remedies as a prerequisite for motor vehicle registration renewal, with the following exceptions: the owner had not been notified of the recall before being notified of the need to renew; the manufacturer, through a local dealership, has not given the owner reasonable opportunity to complete a recall remedy because of a shortage of parts or qualified labor; or the owner demonstrates to the state that he or she has not had reasonable opportunity to complete the recall remedies, in which case the state may grant a temporary registration for 60 days during which time the owner must complete the recall remedies. The Secretary of Transportation shall withhold 5% of federal highway funds from a state that is not in compliance with these requirements.