Interpretation ID: nht72-6.18

DATE: 08/31/72

FROM: AUTHOR UNAVAILABLE; Douglas W. Toms; NHTSA

TO: State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company

TITLE: FMVSR INTERPRETATION

TEXT: This is in further response to your letters of May 3 and August 8, 1972, requesting that the NHTSA make available to insurance companies, such as State Farm, "vehicle identification numbers" (VIN's) which the companies could then utilize to independently notify policyholders whose vehicles have been subject to manufacturers' defect notification campaigns.

The NHTSA has reconsidered your request and has determined to propose, as an amendment to our Defect Reports regulations (49 CFR Part 573), that manufacturers be required to submit to the NHTSA the VIN's of vehicles subject to campaigns. The VIN's would be included in our public file and would be available to insurance companies and other groups who would wish to use them.

The NHTSA does not presently require manufacturers to submit the VIN's of campaigned vehicles (although the Defect Reports regulations do require manufacturers to compile the numbers for their own use). Because this will be a new requirement, the NHTSA is obligated by law to initiate rulemaking to provide for comments by interested persons, and to consider such comments in the decision as to whether the rule should be issued. We will take steps to publish the appropriate notice in the nearest possible future.

Your continuing interest in motor vehicle safety is, of course, greatly appreciated.