SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) (PRA), before an agency submits a proposed collection of information to OMB for approval, it must first publish a document in the Federal Register providing a 60-day comment period and otherwise consult with members of the public and affected agencies concerning each proposed collection of information. The OMB has promulgated regulations describing what must be included in such a document. Under OMB's regulation (at 5 CFR 1320.8(d)), an agency must ask for public comment on the following: (a) whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) how to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) how to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g. permitting electronic submission of responses. In compliance with these requirements, NHTSA asks for public comments on the following proposed collection of information for which the agency is seeking approval from OMB.

Title: Consumer Complaint Information.

OMB Control Number: 2127-0008.

Type of Request: Approval for reinstatement of a previously approved information collection.

Type of Review Requested: Regular.

Requested Expiration Date of Approval: 3 years from the approval date.

Summary of the Collection of Information:Chapter 301 of Title 49 of the United States Code authorizes the Secretary of Transportation (NHTSA by delegation) to require manufacturers of motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment to conduct owner notification and remedy, i.e., a recall campaign, when it has been determined that a safety defect exists in the performance, construction, components, or materials in motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment. Pursuant to Title 49 of the United States Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Parts 573 and 577, manufacturers are required to notify NHTSA, as well as motor vehicle and motor vehicle equipment owners, dealers, and distributors, that a determination has been made to remedy a defect through the issuance of a safety recall. Manufacturers often initiate safety recalls voluntarily, while other recalls are influenced by NHTSA investigations or ordered by NHTSA via a court ruling. A manufacturer of each such motor vehicle or item of replacement equipment presented for remedy pursuant to such notification is required to remedy the safety defect at no charge to the owner. The manufacturer shall cause the vehicle to be remedied by any of the following means: (1) by repairing such vehicle or equipment; (2) by replacing such motor vehicle or equipment with an identical or similar product; or (3) by refunding the purchase price less depreciation.

In order to help NHTSA identify safety-related defects, the agency solicits information from vehicle owners. This information is used to identify and evaluate potential safety-related defects and to provide the necessary evidence of their existence. NHTSA also uses information to monitor the adequacy of a manufacturer's recall efforts. Consumers of motor vehicles or motor vehicle equipment voluntarily submit complaints through NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline, NHTSA's website ( www.nhtsa.gov), or through correspondence.

Description of the Need for the Information and Proposed Use of the Information

NHTSA uses consumer input to help identify potential safety-related defects that could lead to a safety recall or recall inadequacies. The complaints disclose consumers' allegations of a safety defect that they experienced with their vehicle or vehicle equipment, including defects that resulted in injuries, crashes, property damage, or death. All complaints are converted to a Vehicle Owner Questionnaire (VOQ) format and reviewed by NHTSA investigation/engineer staff. An NHTSA investigator may respond to a consumer who submits a complaint if more information is required. NHTSA staff review complaints/VOQs and determine whether further agency action is warranted. The agency has used this information to develop technical evidence to prove to manufacturers and courts that safety-related defects exist and require remedy. The information collection provides valuable insights that help NHTSA identify unreasonable safety risks in specific make, models, and model years of vehicles and equipment and determine when to open an investigation or initiate a recall. In this way, information collection helps reduce crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities on our Nation's highways. ( printed page 64219)

Affected Public: Consumers of motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 63,998.

There are an average of 67,366 complaints submitted per year (average of 184 complaints submitted each day). Some individuals submit multiple complaints to NHTSA. To estimate the total number of unique respondents per year, NHTSA estimates that the number of unique respondents is 95 percent of the number of unique complaints. Therefore, NHTSA estimates that there will be approximately 63,998 respondents each year (67,366 × .95).

Frequency: On occasion.

The submission of complaints is triggered by the occurrence of a problem with a consumer's vehicle.

Number of Responses: 67,366.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 11,227 hours.

Respondents have averaged 67,366 consumer complaints per year to NHTSA between January 2022 and December 2025. NHTSA anticipates that a respondent can complete a VOQ in approximately 10 minutes. The consumer is asked to provide his/her name, complete mailing address, product information, failed component information, and incident information, copies of supporting documentation, and his/her signature. NHTSA estimates the total annual burden on respondents to be 11,227 hours (67,366 respondents × 10 minutes per VOQ = 11,227 annual hourly burden). To calculate the opportunity cost to respondents associated with the collection, NHTSA used the national average hourly earnings of all employees on private nonfarm payrolls, which the Bureau of Labor Statistics lists at $36.12.^[1] Therefore, the opportunity cost for the annual burden hours associated with respondents submitting complaints is estimated to be $405,519 (11,227 hours × $36.12 per hour = $405,519 annual opportunity cost burden).

Estimated Total Annual Burden Cost: $0.

Participation in this collection is voluntary, and there are no costs to respondents beyond the time spent submitting a complaint.

Public Comments Invited: You are asked to comment on any aspect of this information collection, including (a) whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Department, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Department's estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. The agency will summarize and/or include your comments in the request for OMB's clearance of this information collection.

Authority: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995; 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended; and 49 CFR 1.49; and DOT Order 1351.29.

91 FR 64217