| Reward | 10–30% of collected penalties |
|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | Federal — applies nationwide |
| Administered by | National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (DOT) |
| Legal authority | 49 U.S.C. § 30172; 49 C.F.R. Part 513 (final rule eff. Jan 2025) |
| Fraud covered | Vehicle safety & auto theft |
| Eligibility / shares | Collected monetary sanctions must exceed $1,000,000. Must be a current/former employee or contractor of a vehicle manufacturer, parts supplier, or dealership. |
| Anonymous filing | Yes — Anonymous submission permitted if represented by an attorney (2025 final rule). |
| Attorney | Optional. Not required; required for anonymous submissions. |
| Status | Active — final rule fully in force since March 2025. |
Key takeaways
- Whistleblowers can receive 10–30% of collected penalties.
- Administered by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (DOT).
- You can file anonymously — but only through an attorney.
- No attorney needed to file — but filing anonymously requires one.
- Collected monetary sanctions must exceed $1,000,000. Must be a current/former employee or contractor of a vehicle manufacturer, parts supplier, or dealership.
How to report and claim your reward
- Submit a WB-INFO form by email to NHTSAWhistleblower@dot.gov
- Or call the vehicle safety hotline: 888-327-4236
Track record
First and largest award: $24.3 million (the statutory-max 30%) to a former Hyundai engineer in 2021 over the Theta II engine defect.
Good to know
Industry insiders only. Retaliation protection handled by OSHA.
Anonymity: Anonymous submission permitted if represented by an attorney (2025 final rule).
Should you talk to a whistleblower attorney first?
Not strictly required here — not required; required for anonymous submissions.
Statistically, represented whistleblowers recover awards far more often than unrepresented ones, and reporting through the wrong channel — or second — can forfeit your reward entirely. Because whistleblower attorneys work on contingency, a consultation costs nothing.
Last verified: July 4, 2026 against official government sources. Program rules change — always confirm on the official site before filing.