What is Related Information?

The VSIRC system is designed to help users identify as much potentially relevant data and associated documents as possible. The government data, which the VSIRC is based on, have limitations because of coding errors and / or missing data. To minimize the chances of missing relevant data, VSIRC provides tabbed results for Related Information.

For example, a search for 1998 Ford Taurus seat belt buckle complaints will include exact matches as well as Model Twin and Model Range matches (Model Twins include the 1996 – 1999 Mercury Sable and 1995 – 2002 Lincoln Continental. The Model Range is the 1996 – 1999 Taurus). In some in instances, a record may include a Ford Taurus buckle-related complaint without the model year (missing model years are often coded with “9999” or “1900”). This record will be retrieved and found in the Related Information tab. Similarly, if the model information is missing, but the complaint is for a Ford, model unknown, and a seat belt buckle, this too will be retrieved in the Related Information tab.

How does VSIRC have data and documents that are unavailable through NHTSA’s website?

NHTSA complaint data are only available for the previous 10 years. VSIRC has data collected during the past 15 years, as well as more than 250,000 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) that accompany some of the complaint records. All of these data and documents are included with the current complaint data, which are updated daily.

Many defect investigations, particularly those opened more than 10 years ago, were not coded into the agency’s data system. In addition, the agency did not always code certain low-level investigations. VSIRC has examined original documents and records and has coded more than 1,000 additional defect investigations that are not part of the agency’s online system. Coding and descriptions are based on NHTSA’s descriptions in the original documents.

Recalls are the only online data available from NHTSA that are close to complete. However, VSIRC has added nearly every accompanying recall document (99.6 percent), compared to the NTHSA system, which includes less than half.

Searchable crash test data from NHTSA are limited to approximately 5,000 tests. VSIRC created a Crash / Compliance Test database that includes the NHTSA crash test dataset as well as thousands of additional compliance and crash tests, such as FMVSS 213 child seats, FMVSS 216 roof strength, FMVSS 208 occupant protection, and others not coded in the NHTSA system. VSIRC’s Crash / Compliance dataset includes more than 10,000 searchable tests with links to more than 7,500 reports and photos and 1,200 videos – the most comprehensive searchable system available.

What do the datasets consist of?

VSIRC includes four datasets based on records from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: Recalls, Defect Investigations, Complaints, and Crash / Compliance Tests. Documents associated with the records are linked for easy retrieval and more detailed research. More about: Datasets

Why use VSIRC when NHTSA’s website is available at no cost?

VSIRC provides search tools and more comprehensive data than those available on the NHTSA website. VSIRC is designed for professional research and includes coding, data quality, and search intelligence to ensure relevant records and documents can be retrieved quickly and efficiently, saving save time and expense.

Features like automatic retrieval of Model Range and Model Twins, instant access to associated documents (that have been combined and compressed to increase access speed), text and intelligent search capabilities with additional coding, give users instant access to the data and documents that are often inaccessible ortime-consuming and costly to research and locate.

Is there anything missing from the VSIRC datasets that can be found on the NHTSA website?

All of the data in the NHTSA Complaints, Recalls, Defect Investigations and Crash Test Catalog are part of VSIRC. Historical data, as well as other data not part of the NHTSA online system, have been added to create the most comprehensive, searchable system available.

Are all of the NHTSA documents and videos available for download from the VSIRC?

Most of the associated documents are available. For example, 99.6 percent of all recall documents are included. While most complaints do not have associated Vehicle Owner Questionnaires, VSIRC has more than 250,000 – nearly 200,000 more than are part of the NHTSA system. More than 7,000 of the more than 10,000 Crash / Compliance test reports and photos are available. VSIRC is actively working to obtain the remaining reports. Currently1,200 crash test videos are available on VSIRC. Again, VSIRC will continue to add videos.

VSIRC has added the Opening and Closing Resumes and Indices to the Defect investigations data. Currently, nearly half of all defect investigations have these associated documents. These documents provide details about the agency’s rationale for the investigation, the final disposition of the inquiry, and the documents that are part of the file. In some instances, there are no associated indices or there is limited documentation about the investigation; this is particularly the case with investigations from the 1980s and earlier.

Complete investigation files are not available on VSIRC. Many of these files include thousands of pages and are in a variety of formats ranging from microfiche to Microscoft Access databases. For an added fee VSIRC staff can provide complete investigation files upon request. inquiry@vsirc.com

What if there is no document associated with an entry?
Does that mean there is no document or VSIRC does not have the document?
Can this document be obtained and how?

The Complaints and Recalls databases contain all of the available documents associated with these records.

VSIRC has added the Opening and Closing Resumes and Indices to the Defect investigations data. Currently nearly half of all defect investigations have these associated documents. These documents provide details about the agency’s rationale for the investigation, the final disposition of the inquiry, and the documents that are part of the file. In some instances, there are no associated indices or limited documentation about the investigation; this is particularly the case with investigations from the 1980s and earlier. It is a high-priority for VSIRC to add all of the available Opening and Closing Resumes and Indices. Any Opening and Closing Resumes and Indices that are not in our system will be obtained at no additional cost on an expedited basis upon request by VSIRC members.

Complete investigation files are not available on VSIRC. Many of these files include thousands of pages and are in a variety of formats ranging from microfiche to Microscoft Access databases. For an added fee VSIRC staff can provide complete investigation files upon request. inquiry@vsirc.com

How often are the databases updated?

Complaints, Recalls, and Defect Investigations are updated daily by VSIRC. All additions are reviewed for quality control and coding before they are added.

What kind of tech service will be available and will it cost extra?

Assistance with searches and technical issues are available from VSIRC from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm EDT at no additional cost.

For assistance with searches, please review Searching the VSIRC.

What are the fees for use?

See Account Types.

Has the original data been altered in order to work with this program?

None of the NHTSA data have been altered. However, additional coding and re-mapping of the data has been done by VSIRC to improve search capabilities. The original NHTSA data for each record are viewable in the results page by clicking on the record and clicking on View Original NHTSA Data.

Does the search engine search the actual body of the documents for specific words? (i.e. Are the documents OCR’d?)

Most of the documents have been Optical Character Recognized to allow text searching of the complete document. However, Version 1.0 of VSIRC does not implement OCR searching. This feature will be added – watch News at VSIRC for updates on this feature.

Will other data and documents be added in the future to VSIRC?

VSIRC is a constantly growing collection of data and documents. Check News at VSIRC for updates.

One of the key additions underway at VSIRC is the addition of manufacturer submitted Early Warning Reporting data. These data, which were recently released as a result of litigation, include Death, Injury, Property Damage claims as well as Production data on motor vehicles.