AAA endorses Boxer's bill to ban renting or selling recalled cars

Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) announced that the American Automobile Association supports her bill to prohibit rental car companies from renting or selling recalled cars.

On Thursday, Boxer released a letter from AAA that expressed support for the Raechel and Jacqueline Houck Safe Rental Car Act, which she introduced on Aug. 2 before lawmakers left for the August recess.

“I am very grateful that the AAA has endorsed my legislation to ensure that rental car companies never sell or lease an unsafe vehicle,” Boxer said in a statement Thursday. “AAA is a leading authority on car safety issues, so its support means a lot as we move towards consideration of this legislation.”

In the letter, AAA said it hopes S. 3502 becomes law because it seems like a commonsense solution.

“As an advocate for the safety and security of all motorists, AAA views this legislation as a common-sense solution that would help keep unsafe vehicles off the road,” AAA Chief Executive Robert Darblenet wrote. “We commend Hertz for voluntarily agreeing to the conditions set forth in this bill and encourage other car rental companies to take similar action.”

The bill would prohibit all rental car companies from renting or selling vehicles under safety recall. 

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) is co-sponsoring the bill, and Rep. Lois Capps (D-Calif.) introduced a companion measure, H.R. 6094, in the House.

The bill was named after Raechel and Jacqueline Houck, sisters from California who were killed in 2004 after renting a car that had been recalled for a defective power steering hose that was prone to catching fire. The defect caused the car to catch fire and crash head-on into a tractor-trailer, killing both women.

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