releases: https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/senator-joins-push-to-stop-feds-from-selling-recalled-cars
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/latest-headlines/senator-joins-push-to-stop-feds-from-selling-recalled-cars | Senator joins push to stop feds from selling recalled cars | 2016-11-02 | 2016 | 2016-11 | Democrat | House | MO | Claire McCaskill | M001170 | www.mccaskill.senate.gov | legacy | Senator joins push to stop feds from selling recalled cars Wednesday, November 2, 2016 By: Melanie Zanona Sen. Claire McCaskill is joining a growing chorus of lawmakers who are demanding answers from the General Services Administration (GSA) about its practice of selling recalled cars to the public. The Missouri Democrat raised concerns about a recent investigation from Circa that found that more than 20 percent of the vehicles sold by the GSA had safety defects needing repairs, with open recalls related to engine problems, exploding airbags and steering issues. The report also suggested that federal employees may be driving around in vehicles that need repairs. “High-profile examples in recent years have raised public awareness about the seriousness of recalls, yet automakers and auto safety regulators still face challenges in reaching consumers and successfully urging them to bring their vehicles in for needed repairs,” McCaskill wrote in a letter to the GSA. The letter comes after top lawmakers on the House Oversight Committee called on the GSA to stop selling recalled and potentially unsafe cars to the public. The agency has long sold leased vehicles through a public auction after the cars are retired from service. The GSA estimates that it puts 35,000 to 40,000 vehicles up for sale every year. But under current law, it's not illegal to sell a used vehicle that has an open recall. New car dealers, however, are required to repair any open recalls before vehicles can be sold to the public. McCaskill fought for language in last year’s surface transportation bill that also requires recalled rental cars to be repaired before they can be rented. The GSA said in a statement that the vehicles that are sold have been regularly serviced and maintained and emphasized that the agency is in “full compliance with the laws and regulations regarding auto auctions.” "The agency notifies all auction bidders and successful buyers that there may be outstanding recalls on the sale vehicle, and to contact either their local dealership or use the [National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's] website to check the vehicle’s recall status,” a spokesperson said in a statement. McCaskill is requesting all correspondence between the GSA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration about any known or suspected safety defects in the federal fleet over the past five years. The lawmaker is also seeking a description of the agency’s process for notifying federal agencies and potential buyers that a vehicle is under recall. “Although GSA is under no current requirement to repair recalls in a timely manner while being used by federal employees or before sale to the public, the federal government should take every step possible to keep federal employees and the broader American driving public safe,” McCaskill said. Print Email Tweet | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |