The Automobile Information Disclosure Act (AIDA), 15 U.S.C. §§ 1231-1233,
is more commonly known as the Monroney Act (Senator Mike Monroney was the
chief sponsor of the Act) or Price Sticker Act. The Act requires the affixing
of a retail price sticker to the windshield or side window of new automobiles
indicating the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP), that is, the
"sticker price." Additional information, such as a list of any optional
equipment offered or transportation charges, is also required.
The Federal Trade Commission publishes a fact sheet entitled Buying a New Car, that has additional information.
The AIDA was amended in 2005 in an effort to improve the dissemination of New Car Assessment Program ratings. The United States Department of Transportation (DOT) issued a Final Rule, 49 C.F.R. 375.301, that has a September 1, 2007, compliance date, that requires new car crash safety information, known as “Stars on Cars,” to be on the Monroney label. Gold stars appear on the Monroney label, ranging from 1-5, with more stars being better, to help consumers evaluate a car’s crash worthiness. See DOT’s website for more information.
Automobiles, by definition, include passenger vehicles and station wagons,
and by extension passenger vans and similar vehicles, such as Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs). Not included,
as explained in the legislative history, are pick-up trucks.
The Act prohibits the sticker from being removed or altered prior to sale
to a consumer. Criminal prosecution is possible under 15 U.S.C. § 1233,
for the willful removal of a label and is punishable as a Class A misdemeanor
permitting a fine ($100,000 per violation for an individual and $200,000
per violation for an organization under 18 U.S.C. § 3571) as well as imprisonment
for not more than one year, or both.
Under a related statute, 49 U.S.C. § 32908, manufacturers and importers
of new automobiles, including each category of vehicle identified above
and pick-up trucks, are required to affix a label to such vehicles with
an EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) label containing fuel economy information. See EPA website.
Normally, the price sticker label and EPA label are combined as one large
label. Failure to maintain the EPA label on the vehicle is considered a
violation of AIDA. There are no private remedies under either Act.
OCL enforces AIDA, most commonly, by sending warning letters to dealerships
alleged to have violated the Act. OCL also advises consumers of alternative
avenues of redress where allegations have been made that a price sticker
or EPA label is missing or altered.
OCL
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