49 CFR § 554.7 - Investigation priorities.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t49/s554.7"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "49 CFR § 554.7 - Investigation priorities."
title_number: 49
title_name: "Transportation"
section_number: "554.7"
section_name: "Investigation priorities."
chapter_name: "NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION"
part_number: "554"
part_name: "STANDARDS ENFORCEMENT AND DEFECTS INVESTIGATION"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "49 U.S.C. 30102-103, 30111-112, 30117-121, 30162, 30165-67; delegation of authority at 49 CFR 1.50."
regulatory_source: "45 FR 10797, Feb. 19, 1980, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "554"
---


# 554.7 Investigation priorities.

(a) Compliance investigation priorities are reviewed annually and are set according to the following criteria:

(1) Prior compliance test data;

(2) Accident data;

(3) Engineering analysis of vehicle and equipment designs;

(4) Consumer complaints; and

(5) Market share.

(b) Defects inputs are reviewed periodically by an appropriate panel of engineers in consultation with the Office of Chief Counsel to determine whether a formal investigation should be opened by the Office of Defects Investigation.