RULE 22
Auto Safety: Report to the DoT
Introduction
Whistleblowing can save lives. Learn what to do when you have information of unsafe vehicle manufacturing processes, how to report to the Department of Transportation, and how you can set yourself up for a financial reward. One person’s information can, and has, led to the recall of millions of vehicles that would have otherwise posed a real safety threat to consumers.
In drafting and working to pass the auto safety reward law, Congress looked to incentivize the reporting of defects, noncompliance, and safety violations. Learn the ins and outs of the law and DOT program in Rule 22.
Practice Tips
- The autoworker’s anti-retaliation law is codified at 49 U.S.C. § 30171, and its implementing regulations are located at 29 C.F.R. § 1988.
- The reward law is codified at 49 U.S.C. § 30172.
- Legislative history of the reward statute: Senate Report 114-13, “Motor Vehicle Safety Whistleblower Act, Report of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on S. 304” (Apr. 13, 2015).
- Information on the auto safety reward law is posted on the NHTSA’s whistleblower program’s website, found at https://www.nhtsa.gov/laws-regulations/whistleblower-program.
Resources
Reward Law
Legislative history of the reward statute:
- Senate Report 114-13, “Motor Vehicle Safety Whistleblower Act, Report of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on S. 304” (Apr. 13, 2015);
Office of John Thune press statement on reward law:
- “Thune, Nelson Introduce Legislation to Help Prevent Auto Injuries, Deaths from Faulty Parts by Incentivizing Whistleblowers” (Nov. 20, 2014)
The anti-retaliation law:
The Department of Labor regulations implementing the anti-retaliation law:
Information on the Sheridan case:
- “Examining S. 3302, The Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 2010,” hearing before the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, U.S. Senate (Senate Hearing 111-991) (May 19, 2010)
- Statement of Senator Jay Rockefeller IV, press release (May 4, 2010)
- ABC Prime Time Live, “Mini Van Danger” (May 3, 2008)
- Bill Vlasic, “Fired Employee Battles Chrysler in Courtroom,” Detroit News (July 2003)
- Chrysler Corp. v. Sheridan, No. 227757 (Mich. Court of Appeals, 2003) (unpublished) (dismissing whistleblower’s lawsuit).
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