Government says Fiat Chrysler may be moving too slow on recalls

WASHINGTON, May 18 (UPI) -- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is holding a public meeting about Fiat Chrysler's recall protocol after it received complaints the automaker was too slow to announce and repair safety defects.

"Any auto defect that compromises the safety of our driving public is unacceptable," U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said Monday in announcing the public hearing. "Auto manufacturers are obligated to effectively remedy safety defects when they are discovered, and if they fail in that responsibility, we are obligated to act."

The NHTSA will hear evidence about Fiat Chrysler's performance in 20 recalls since 2013, including one that affected the rear fuel tanks on more than1.5 million Jeep Grand Cherokees and Jeep Liberties.

The agency said it received reports that Fiat Chrysler was allegedly deficient in the administration, execution and pace of safety repairs. Customers also complained about parts availability issues, lack of notification of recalls, difficulty obtaining service appointments and misinformation from dealers.

"It is not enough to identify defects. Manufacturers have to fix them," NHTSA Administrator Mark Rosekind said. "Significant questions have been raised as to whether this company is meeting its obligations to protect the drivers from safety defects, and today we are launching a process to ensure that those obligations are met."

The public hearing is scheduled to take place July 2.