Us Congress Senate Bill SB4053

Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/22/24
• Refer: 3/22/24

Caption

Used Car Safety Recall Repair Act

Impact

If enacted, SB4053 will modify the existing framework of vehicle sales regulations by ensuring that used motor vehicles cannot be transferred to consumers until necessary repairs for any open recalls are completed. This change is expected to significantly improve vehicle safety standards across the board, directly impacting how auto dealers operate and the legal obligations they hold in relation to the vehicles they sell. The necessity for dealers to check and confirm the resolution of recalls before sales will likely also lead to a higher level of consumer trust in used cars.

Summary

SB4053, known as the Used Car Safety Recall Repair Act, aims to enhance consumer protection in the used motor vehicle market by preventing the sale, lease, or loan of used cars with open recalls. The bill mandates that auto dealers must remedy any non-compliance issues or defects as specified in notifications before the vehicles can be sold. This act emphasizes the responsibility of dealers to ensure that potential customers are not put at risk by purchasing faulty vehicles that have unresolved safety concerns.

Contention

There may be aspects of contention regarding the bill, primarily focusing on the implementation costs and the administrative burden placed on auto dealers. Some stakeholders may argue that the restrictions could reduce the inventory available to consumers or increase vehicle prices, as dealers may face higher operational costs to comply with the new regulations. Additionally, there might be debates regarding the definitions of a 'dealer' and the specific processes outlined for addressing recalls, so that they do not inadvertently penalize smaller businesses within the automotive market.