U.S. senators are criticizing Amazon $AMZN ( ▼ 0.74% ) as the online consumer retailer expands its offerings in auto retail sales.
The details: A letter addressed to Amazon CEO Andrew Jassy (dated Dec. 22, 2025) signed by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal, Edward J. Markey, and Elizabeth Warren, takes issue with Amazon Autos listing used vehicles for sale with unrepaired safety recalls.
What they're saying: "Selling cars with unrepaired safety recalls is extremely dangerous and poses a potentially fatal threat to vehicle drivers, passengers, and others on the road. Amazon's suggestion to consumers to check a vehicle's recall status themselves on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) website is simply insufficient," reads the letter.
For context: Amazon Autos initially launched with Hyundai dealers in December 2024 offering new vehicles only. But since then, the retailer has added certified pre-owned Ford vehicles, and now offers financing through Chase, Santander, and Wells Fargo.
The legal reality: Amazon Autos is almost certainly not violating current federal recall law by listing used vehicles with open safety recalls. Federal law generally permits the sale of used cars with open recalls, and Amazon's role as an online marketplace for used vehicles likely falls within the same legal gray zone that allows dealers to sell used vehicles with open recalls on other third-party listing sites.
The senators' letter targets a perceived gap between Amazon's marketing and what shoppers actually see on the listings.
The letter's own language underscores that "Amazon does not need to wait for the law to change," a political signal that the senators are pressing a normative and safety case more than alleging a clean-cut statutory violation.
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Why it matters: The senators are sponsors of S.2956, the Used Car Safety Recall Repair Act, which would prevent dealers from selling used cars with unrepaired safety recalls (a rule that already applies to new vehicles). The letter is likely an attempt to generate public pressure and build momentum for the legislation by using a high-profile example.
Important note: Amazon had not responded to the letter as of this time.
Looking ahead: As the platform grows and potentially adds more automakers, it could become a bigger target and legislative pressure point.
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