Automobiles, Trucks or Motorcycles - Call or mail to report safety-related defects.

"When we closed our investigation we made a point of noting we did not recognize a safety-related defect," Mr. Tyson said.

None were returned to service with safety-related defects, the audit found, and subway service was not affected because of a large supply of cars in reserve.

When an auto maker discovers a safety-related defect, it has little choice but to recall every affected vehicle by notifying owners directly.

The campaigns include motor vehicle products which experienced a safety-related defect or did not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards:

If a safety-related defect exists, the maker must fix it at no cost to you-even if your warranty has expired.

Standard recalls are made when a vehicle or its equipment does not comply with a federal safety standard or because of a safety-related defect.

In a recall, a manufacturer must acknowledge that a safety-related defect exists, then send owners a letter describing the defect and its risk.

G.M. said it believed the investigation would show "there is no basis upon which to conclude that these vehicles contain a safety-related defect."

"These trucks do not have a safety-related defect," he said.