Filed under: Government/Legal, Recalls, Toyota



After much deliberation, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has decided to issue a $16.4 million penalty to Toyota - the maximum fine allowed - for failing to recall vehicles due to faulty accelerator pedals in a timely fashion. This will be the largest fine ever issued to an automaker by the government.

The U.S. DOT says that Toyota failed to promptly notify the government about the defective gas pedals amongst its model range. According to NHTSA, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood says that there's evidence to prove Toyota knew of the gas pedal problem as early as late September, yet the official recall was not issued until the end of January.

For now, Toyota has two weeks to either accept the penalty and pay up, or contest the government's decision and continue deliberations. Hit the jump to read NHTSA's official press release.

[Image: Alex Wong/Getty]Continue reading Report: NHTSA to seek $16M fine against Toyota for recall scandal

Report: NHTSA to seek $16M fine against Toyota for recall scandal originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Apr 2010 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.



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