Hyundai Agrees to Pay $17.35 Million Fine in Brake Defect Case |
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Topics: Hyundai
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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
August 7, 2014
NHTSA 32-14
Thursday, August 7, 2014
Contact: Catherine Howden, 202-366-9550, Public.Affairs@dot.gov
Automaker Failed to Report Defect in a Timely Manner
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today announced that Hyundai has agreed to pay a $17.35 million civil penalty and comply with NHTSA oversight requirements outlined in a Consent Order as a result of the manufacturer failing to report in a timely manner a safety-related defect affecting 2009-2012 Hyundai Genesis vehicles. The defect involves corrosion in critical brake system components that can result in reduced braking effectiveness and increase the risk of a crash.
"Safety is our top priority, and all automakers should understand that there is no excuse for failing to report a safety-related defect, as required by law," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. "This Administration will act aggressively and hold automakers accountable when they put the American public at risk."
NHTSA found that Hyundai had been aware in 2012 that brake fluids used in the model year 2009-2012 Hyundai Genesis did not sufficiently inhibit corrosion in key components of the vehicle’s brake system. Rather than issue a recall, Hyundai instructed dealers to change the brake fluid in affected vehicles without explaining the consequences of failing to change the brake fluid. Hyundai also did not inform Genesis owners of the potential safety consequences. Hyundai finally issued a recall of the affected vehicles in October 2013 as a result of a NHTSA investigation.
While there have been no fatalities relating to this safety defect, six consumers reported collisions, including two reports of injuries. As of January 14, 2014, Hyundai had received 87 consumer complaints with regard to Genesis vehicles, most of which suggest increased difficulty in braking.
"Federal law requires automakers to report safety-related defects to NHTSA within five days, and neither NHTSA nor the American public will accept anything less," said NHTSA Acting Administrator David Friedman. "Hyundai failed to act to protect their customers and others that were harmed in an accident, and must change the way they deal with all safety related defects."
As part of the Consent Order, Hyundai agrees to make improvements to its processes for identifying, reporting, and communicating safety-related defects in a timely manner. This includes the creation of a U.S. Technical Committee to review and make decisions regarding potential Hyundai-specific safety recalls. Hyundai will ultimately be responsible for responding to safety concerns in a timely manner based on the Technical Committee's recommendations.
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