U.S. Auto-Safety Whistleblower Program

Overview:

• The Motor Vehicle Safety Whistleblower Act, signed into law in 2017, authorizes the Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to pay discretionary rewards to industry insiders who report original information about violations of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act and related regulations.
• The statute offers rewards for disclosure of information pertaining to motor vehicle defects or regulatory violations that can cause unreasonable risk of death or serious injury.

Amount of Rewards:

• Whistleblowers sharing original information on auto safety violations may receive awards ranging from 10% to 30% of civil penalties exceeding $1 million imposed on the violating entity.

Requirements:

• The statute offers rewards to insiders – e.g., automaker employees, contractors, parts suppliers, or dealers.  

• Whistleblowers must provide “original information” regarding violations not already known to the U.S. Department of Transportation or NHTSA, to qualify for an award.

• “Original information” is derived from independent knowledge or analysis, not known to NHTSA from other sources, and not solely from allegations in legal or administrative actions, government reports, or the media.

• It is not necessary for a whistleblower to be a U.S. citizen or resident.  The vehicles at issue or some of their components just have to be sold or distributed in the United States.

Protection against Retaliation:  NHTSA Whistleblowers are protected against retaliation under federal law

More Information:  The attorneys at the Law Offices of Paul D. Scott have in-depth experience with the NHTSA’s relatively new whistleblower program and have been engaged in efforts aimed at implementation of regulations governing the program.  Contact our office for more information on the precise details of the program and whether you may qualify.