Tire Recall bill

Motor Vehicle and Motor Vehicle Equipment Defect Notification Improvement Act - Amends Federal transportation law to authorize the Secretary of Transportation to: (1) cooperate with transportation authorities of foreign countries to enhance motor vehicle and traffic safety by exchanging information about motor vehicle and motor vehicle equipment safety defects, noncompliance with motor vehicle safety, and motor vehicle equipment standards and enforcement regulations; and (2) negotiate for an international agreement governing the dissemination of information about the recall by manufacturers of motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment with safety-related defects.

(Sec. 3) Requires the Secretary, until the President concludes such negotiations and there is an international Internet database containing specified recall information, to: (1) establish an official Department of Transportation website on the Internet providing such information when a recall involves motor vehicles or motor vehicle equipment that is offered for sale inside and outside the United States; and (2) post information provided to the Secretary by U.S. embassies about recalls of motor vehicles or motor vehicle equipment in the country in which the embassy is located that is offered for sale in the United States.

(Sec. 4) Requires the Secretary of Transportation to notify the manufacturer of a motor vehicle, original equipment, or replacement equipment after making a decision through testing and inspection that such vehicle or equipment contains a defect related to motor vehicle safety or does not comply with an applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standard.

(Sec. 5) Extends the period of time for no-charge remedies with respect to defective motor vehicles, replacement equipment, or tires.

(Sec. 6) Directs the Secretary to initiate a rulemaking proceeding to establish increased reporting requirements and record retention for manufacturers of motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment to enhance the Secretary's ability to determine whether a motor vehicle or motor vehicle equipment contains a defect or does not comply with an applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standard.

(Sec. 7) Authorizes the Secretary to issue an order directing any person that operates a school bus or passenger motor vehicle to suspend operation of such bus or motor vehicle if it determined there is a defect or noncompliance that presents an imminent hazard to passenger safety if they continue operation before the defect or noncompliance is remedied.

(Sec. 9) Sets forth civil penalties for violations of the requirements of this Act.

Makes it unlawful for a director, officer, or agent of a manufacturer that introduces a motor vehicle or motor vehicle equipment into interstate commerce to authorize, order, or ratify the introduction if they knew that: (1) at the time of introduction the manufacturer was in violation of provisions prohibiting the manufacturing, selling, and importing of motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment that do not comply with Federal motor vehicle standards or requiring manufacturer notification of motor vehicle or motor vehicle equipment defects or noncompliance with applicable Federal motor vehicle standards; (2) the condition of the motor vehicle or motor vehicle equipment that is the subject of such violation created a serious danger of death or grievous bodily harm; and (3) such condition caused death or grievous bodily harm. Sets forth both civil and criminal penalties for violations of such requirements.

(Sec. 10) Sets forth certain reporting and recordkeeping requirements for manufacturers of motor vehicles or motor vehicle equipment with respect to: (1) accidents that result in fatalities, injuries, or fires involving such vehicles or equipment; and (2) certain warranty information, consumer complaints, personal injury claims, and other safety-related information as they relate to actual or potential defects.

(Sec. 11) Increases civil penalties for tampering with motor vehicle odometers.

(Sec. 12) Directs the Secretary to initiate rulemaking proceedings to: (1) review and revise motor vehicle safety standards for pneumatic tires; and (2) improve the labeling of tires in order to improve public understanding of load limits and appropriate tire inflation levels.

(Sec. 14) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2001 for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.