Recalls of Automobiles and Medical Devices Federal Oversight

In 2010, auto manufacturers recalled more vehicles than any other year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the federal oversight authority for vehicle recalls. However, many recalled vehicles are never fixed, posing a risk to vehicle operators, other drivers and pedestrians. Recalls are also an important tool to mitigate serious health consequences associated with defective or unsafe medical devices. Typically, a recall is voluntarily initiated by the firm that manufactured the device. This book explores the federal oversight recalls of automobiles and medical devices with a focus on developing enhanced procedures and criteria for assessing the effectiveness of recalls.