NHTSA to investigate Hertz for allegedly renting recalled cars

NHTSA has opened an investigation into rental giant Hertz for allegedly renting vehicles with open recalls to customers in violation of a federal law which makes it illegal for rental chains with fleets of 35 vehicles or more to rent out a car with an open recall.

The agency's Office of Defect Investigations posted a notice Tuesday saying it has received information that would indicate that Hertz rented Ford and Nissan vehicles with open recalls to customers.

"NHTSA is opening this audit query to investigate whether The Hertz Corporation (Hertz) has complied with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act (Safety Act). The Safety Act requires, among other things, that a rental company shall not rent a vehicle subject to a safety recall unless the recall remedy has been performed. 49 U.S.C. § 30120(i)," the statement said.