Cash for Clunkers controversy continues to grow, even before the bill has officially started.  Consumers are angry over the 18 MPG limit being placed on qualifying clunkers.  According to consumers, the EPA estimates put forth on FuelEconomy.gov don’t take into consideration wear and tear on older vehicles that no longer get the same gas mileage.

The NHTSA is not the one to blame. The agency was handed the task of implementing the provisions in what is commonly referred to as the Cash for Clunkers legislation. Unfortunately for the NHTSA, they are the messenger of the controversial guidelines created by Congress. 

The NHTSA has officially named the program Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) and the only official website for the program is http://cars.gov .

Consumer Encouraged to Speak Up

Irate consumers have been writing on our “SPEAK UP” forum expressing their outrage on being shunned out of eligibility for a voucher because of inaccurate EPA postings.  Other consumers are supportive of the bill and have expressed their gratitude that they can get something for their old clunker.

One consumer wrote, “Regarding the Car Allowance Rebate System. I currently drive a 1995 model car that I have owned for 12 years. According the website fueleconomy.gov website it has a “new” mpg rating of 20 which means that I do not qualify for the CARS program. The MPG when the car was new was 22. This is disappointing as I do not understand how a change of ONLY 2 mpg is calculated on a 14 year old vehicle!”

Another consumer offered an alternative solution “The bill should have been worded about how much MORE of an increased mpg you are getting compared to the mileage from your current vehicle. 18 mpg is way too low or the fueleconomy.gov site is WRONG with their combined mileage estimates. I still do not think this will help. I have a 95 Ford Taurus and they show 16 mpg city, 24 mpg highway for a combined of 19 mpg. I say NO WAY.”

Hundreds of opinions have been submitted to our website and we encourage others to participate by clicking on the “SPEAK UP” button on the right side of this page.

Covering the CFC Story

This website was created the Pasch Consulting Group (PCG) in early May before the Cash for Clunkers bill was even close to becoming signed into law.  We have been tracking the progress of the bill with a keen eye to keep consumers in the loop on the legislation. What we didn’t expect is to have the program become such a lightning rod for controversy.

According to Brian Pasch, CEO of PCG, “If consumers expect to see any change in legislation, they need to call their elected officials and let them know of the discrepancies on the government’s website for calculating mpg eligibility.  Directing the complaints at the NHTSA will get them nowhere. The agency is only doing what Congress asked them to implement.”

Changes Are Not Expected Soon

Rae Tyson, media spokesperson for the NHTSA had this to say, “Since the program was created by an act of Congress, only Congress can amend or change it.  It would mean that a new bill would have to be introduced in the House and Senate, approved by vote and signed by the President.”

That would seem to be very unlikely in the short lifecycle of the program due to its limited funding.  The $1 billion allotted to the CARS program is not expected to last past November 1, 2009.

Consumers who would like to learn more about the CARS program, they should visit the official website at http://cars.gov . 

Consumers are invited to add their comments on the legislation or to send us a photo of your clunker to add to the Memorial Gallery.

Tags: cars legislation, cars qualifications, epa mpg, NHTSA