Record $16.4 Million Toyota Gas Pedal Issue Fine May Not Be Last
By Jim Greene
Published on May 12, 2010
Less than a month after agreeing to pay a record $16.4 million fine for waiting four months to inform federal safety officials of sticking gas pedals, Toyota Motor Corp. has been warned that more fines may be imposed if the company's efforts to improve safety fall short.
Speaking at a meeting in Japan, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said he is pleased with Toyota's efforts to improve communications with his department, but said he wanted to see more progress and verifiable safety improvements. He said more fines might be appropriate if goals aren't met.
Record Fine Imposed for Breaking Federal Notification Law
The $16.4 million fine recently paid by Toyota was for violating a federal law requiring car makers to notify the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) when safety-related defects are found. It is the largest such penalty ever paid by a car maker.
Toyota notified distributors in 31 European countries in September that some of its vehicles had issues with sticking gas pedals that could result in unexpected acceleration that could cause auto accidents. The NTHSA was not notified until January.
Many Americans were first made aware of the problem when an off-duty California Highway Patrolman and three of his family members were killed in late August in the fiery crash of a runaway Toyota-built Lexus sport utility vehicle near San Diego. Following the crash, stories circulated that a non-standard floor mat may have interfered with the accelerator in that and other accidents. Eventually, attention shifted to Toyota gas pedals.
More than 8 Million Toyotas Recalled Worldwide
The gas pedal issue began a series of Toyota recalls that eventually involved more than eight million vehicles worldwide, most in the United States. Hundreds of lawsuits have been filed across the country, some for injury or death allegedly resulting from Toyota auto defects, others to recover lost value of Toyota products blamed on the bad publicity.
If you or someone you know has been injured or lost a loved one in an accident caused by a sticking gas pedal or other defect in a Toyota vehicle, contact an attorney. You may be eligible for financial compensation to help you deal with repair costs, medical bills, loss of income, loss of companionship, and pain and suffering.
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