US regulator says Fiat Chrysler recall woes are widespread

WASHINGTON (AP) — A top U.S. auto safety regulator accused Fiat Chrysler of failing to provide timely and accurate recall information to her agency and said that customers also have problems getting accurate information.

Jennifer Timian, acting director of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's defect investigation office, made the remarks Thursday to start a public hearing on the company's recall performance.

Timian and two other NHTSA officials gave detailed accounts of Fiat Chrysler problems, painting an alarming picture of an automaker that repeatedly failed to provide correct information, refused to carry out requested tests and botched recall repairs in a way that put consumers at risk.

The recalls involved problems as serious as rear-mounted gas tanks that can leak and cause fires in a crash, air bags that can explode with too much force and spew shrapnel, and ignition switches that can abruptly shut off, causing engines to stall.

In one case, Fiat Chrysler delayed distribution of parts to fix a nut that can come loose from Ram truck drive shafts, said Scott Yon, chief of vehicle integrity for NHTSA.