US auto safety regulators said on Tuesday they are investigating if Hertz rented unrepaired recalled vehicles to customers.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said in a filing made public on Tuesday it was in receipt of information that indicates “Hertz rented vehicles to customers without having performed required recall repairs.”

NHTSA said it had opened an “audit query to seek additional information concerning this issue.”

Hertz has major reach

Hertz, which operates the Hertz, Dollar, and Thrifty vehicle rental brands, said it is “reviewing NHTSA’s request for information. We are committed to providing safe rentals for our customers.”

NHTSA said in a statement Tuesday that in late 2021 it began receiving information suggesting that Hertz may have rented vehicles to customers without having had all required safety recall repairs performed on those vehicles.

“Information gathered by the agency to date, including from vehicle manufacturers, suggests repairs required under multiple NHTSA safety recalls were not made prior to the rental of such affected vehicles to Hertz customers,” the agency added.

Earlier this month, Hertz said it would pay about $168 million by year-end to resolve over 95% of pending claims from owners who alleged the car rental giant filed wrongful theft reports.

Some customers had sued Hertz alleging the police detained or arrested individuals in error after the company reported rental cars were stolen.

Source: JPOST