The New Jersey Senate has approved a bill introduced by Senate Republican Leader Anthony M. Bucco, aimed at enhancing customer protections in automotive purchases. The legislation, known as the “Motor Vehicle Open Recall Notice and Fair Compensation Act,” seeks to transfer the financial responsibility of vehicle recalls from dealers and consumers to the automakers responsible for defects.
Senator Bucco emphasized the importance of this measure, stating, “New Jersey consumers and dealers shouldn’t be stuck paying the price for a manufacturer’s mistake.” He added that the bill is designed to ensure that automakers bear the cost and responsibility for vehicle recalls, describing it as “a fair, commonsense solution that protects New Jersey automobile customers and supports our local dealerships.”
Key provisions of the bill include requirements for the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to verify if a vehicle has an open recall before issuing a registration or renewal notice. Additionally, if a vehicle is subject to an open recall, the MVC must notify the owner and inform them that repairs will be conducted at no cost by an approved dealer.
The full text of the bill, S-3309, is available for public reading.
