ODI's defect identification procedures 'flawed,' report states

WASHINGTON (Jan. 9)—The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Office of Defects Investigation has a "flawed" process for identifying potential auto and tire defects, according to a new report from the Transportation Department's Office of the Inspector General. ODI's data "significantly understate the number of potential safety defects," the report said. A peer review panel to examine safety data would help the office's consistency in instigating defect investigations, it said, as would timely completion of regulations required by the Transportation Recall Efficiency, Accountability and Documentation Act.