49 U.S.C. § 30147 — Responsibility for defects and noncompliance

(a) Deeming defect or noncompliance to certain vehicles, and treating the importer as manufacturer. (1) In carrying out sections 30117(b), 30118 through 30121, and 30166(f): (A) for a defect or noncompliance with an applicable safety standard found in a motor vehicle originally made for import into the United States, an imported vehicle with a valid certification under section 30146(a)(1) that was decided to be substantially similar is presumed to have the same defect or noncompliance, unless the manufacturer or the registered importer proves otherwise to the Secretary of Transportation; and (B) the registered importer is treated as the manufacturer of any vehicle it imports or brings into compliance with the standards on behalf of an individual under section 30142. (2) The Secretary must publish in the Federal Register notice of any defect or noncompliance found under paragraph (1)(A).

(b) Financial responsibility requirement. By regulation, the Secretary must require every registered importer, including any successor in interest, to provide and maintain evidence, satisfactory to the Secretary, that it has enough financial resources to meet its obligations under sections 30117(b), 30118 through 30121, and 30166(f).