E8-6181. Reports, Forms, and Recordkeeping Requirements Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review

AGENCY:

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), U.S. Department of Transportation.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice announces that the Information Collection Request (ICR) abstracted below has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR describes the nature of the information collections and their expected burden. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period was published on January 22, 2008, Volume 73, Number 14, Page Numbers 3800 and 3801.

This document describes two collections of information for which NHTSA intends to seek OMB approval.

DATES:

Comments must be submitted on or before April 25, 2008.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Larry Long, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NVS-211), 1200 New Jersey Ave., Washington, DC 20590. Mr. Long's telephone number is [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Title: Consumer Complaint Information.

OMB Control Number: 2127-0008.

Type of Request: Renewal of an Existing Collection of Information.

Abstract: Under Chapter 301 of Title 49 of the United States Code, manufacturers of motor vehicles and items of motor vehicle equipment must notify owners and provide a free remedy (i.e., a recall) when it has been determined that a safety-related defect exists in the manufacturer's product. NHTSA investigates possible safety defects and may order recalls. NHTSA solicits information from vehicle owners, which is used to identify and evaluate possible safety-related defects and provide evidence of the existence of such defects.

Consumer complaint information takes the form of a a Vehicle Owner's Questionnaire (VOQ), which is a paper, self-addressed mailer that consumers complete. This mailer contains owner information, product information, failed component information, and incident information. It may also take the form of an electronic VOQ containing the same information as identified above, which can be submitted via NHTSA's Internet Web site or by calling the Department of Transportation's Auto Safety Hotline. Or, it may take the form of a consumer letter. All consumer complaint information, in addition to other sources of available information, is entered into the agency's database and reviewed by NHTSA staff to determine whether a safety-related defect trend or catastrophic failure is developing that would warrant the opening of a safety defect investigation.

Affected Public: Individuals and households.

Estimated Total Annual Burden: 8,657 hours.

ADDRESSES:

Send comments, within 30 days, to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 725-17th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20503, Attention NHTSA Desk Officer.

Comments Are Invited on: 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; the accuracy of the Department's estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and 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.

Kathleen DeMeter,

Director, Office of Defects Investigation.