WASHINGTON — Three U.S. senators are pressing Amazon to remove or more clearly disclose listings for used vehicles sold through its Amazon Autos platform that have unresolved safety recalls, raising concerns about consumer protection and road safety, as well as the value of collateral for lenders.
In a letter dated Dec. 22 to Amazon CEO Andrew R. Jassy, Sens. Richard Blumenthal, Edward Markey and Elizabeth Warren said they were “extremely troubled” that vehicles with open recalls were being offered for sale online.
The senators warned that unrepaired safety defects can pose serious, potentially life-threatening risks to drivers, passengers and others on the road. While federal law prohibits the sale of new vehicles with unresolved recalls, selling used vehicles with open recalls remains legal.
Removal Urged
The lawmakers urged Amazon to voluntarily remove vehicles with active recalls from its platform or, at a minimum, prominently disclose recall information so buyers do not have to independently search government databases such as those maintained by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Amazon Autos currently offers select new vehicles from Hyundai and used inventory through Ford dealerships, according to the letter. The senators cited examples including listings for the Ford Bronco and Hyundai Santa Fe, models that have been subject to recalls affecting more than 100,000 vehicles.
Other Recalls Cited
They also pointed to used inventory linked to other recalled vehicles, including the Jeep Wrangler 4xe, and highlighted the scale of recent recalls across the auto industry. Ford has issued a recall affecting more than 200,000 vehicles due to a faulty park module that could lead to rollaway incidents, while Hyundai earlier this year recalled more than half a million vehicles for separate safety issues.
“With recalls of this magnitude, online vehicle listings can change faster than repairs are completed,” the senators wrote, warning that consumers shopping online could unknowingly purchase vehicles with known safety defects.
Sponsors of New Bill
Blumenthal, Markey and Warren are sponsors of the proposed Used Car Safety Recall Repair Act, which would bar the sale of used vehicles with unresolved recalls and close what they describe as a dangerous regulatory gap. Until such legislation is enacted, they said Amazon should take immediate steps to protect consumers by clearly displaying recall status on vehicle listings.
Amazon has not publicly responded to the senators’ letter.
