Interpretation ID: GF007210

Mr. Jeff Oldham
Performance Tires, LLC
22810 Pennyrile Lane
Katy, TX 77450

Dear Mr. Oldham:

This responds to your e-mail and previous phone conversation with George Feygin of my staff regarding the legality of "knock off" style wheel hubs. You intend to supply these wheel hubs to Factory Five Racing, a kit car manufacturer, who will in turn, sell unassembled kits to consumers. You ask whether "knock off" style wheel hubs satisfy the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS).

In your e-mail, you describe the wheel hubs in question as follows: "An adapter goes over the existing studs which the wheel would typically mount to. The adapter is held on by lugs, then the wheel is slid over the adapter. The wheel itself is held on by an "knock off" style hub, which screws down onto the adapter on the face of the wheel. The knockoff screws on in a counter clockwise rotation (opposite direction of the wheels when the car is in drive)."

By way of background, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) does not provide approvals of motor vehicles or motor vehicle equipment. Under 49 U.S.C. Chapter 301, manufacturers are required to certify that their vehicles and equipment meet applicable requirements.

There is no Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard regulating "knock off" wheel hubs. Previously, FMVSS No. 211 (Standard No. 211), Wheel nuts, wheel discs, and hub caps (49 CFR Section 571.211), precluded certain wheel nuts, wheel hubs, wheel discs, and hub caps from having "winged projections." We were concerned that the winged projections could catch on clothing or strike legs or other body parts, posing a hazard to pedestrians and cyclists. However, Standard No. 211 was rescinded as of June 5, 1996. [1]

We note that despite the fact that NHTSA does not directly regulate wheel hubs, any wheel hub designed to be used on a motor vehicle is an item of "motor vehicle equipment" and is subject the recall and remedy provisions of Chapter 310. If a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that the product contains a safety-related defect, the manufacturer is responsible for notifying purchasers of the defective vehicle or item of motor vehicle equipment and remedying the problem free of charge.

I hope this information is helpful. If you need further assistance, please contact George Feygin of my staff at this address or at (202) 366-2992.

Sincerely,

Jacqueline Glassman
Chief Counsel

Enclosure
ref:211
d.11/17/03