Honda fined for failing to report injury, death complaints

WASHINGTON - In the largest civil penalty ever administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation, the agency is fining Honda Motors (HMC) $70 million for failing to notify the government of complaints that its vehicles caused deaths and injuries.

The Japanese automaker received more than 1,700 reports of problems related to its cars and trucks, but did not disclose them to the Transportation Department as required by law, according to the agency, which also said that Honda failed to report warranty claims.

Honda disclosed the reporting failure in November, admitting that company officials had waited three years after finding out about the reporting failure before making the disclosure to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said the government won't tolerate automakers withholding safety information. "Honda and all of the automakers have a safety responsibility they must live up to - no excuses," he said in a statement.

Foxx added that safety regulators had shared information about the case with the Justice Department. The private Center for Auto Safety has called for a criminal investigation into the case.

Under federal law, auto manufacturers are required to inform the Transportation Department of potential safety concerns with their vehicles. Those quarterly reports may involve incidents involving injuries or deaths, consumer complaints, warranty claims and other information. The government may then use that data to investigate safety defects and consider vehicle recalls.

Honda said it is working with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to improve its reporting practices. "

"We have resolved this matter and will move forward to build on the important actions Honda has already taken to address our past shortcomings in early warning reporting," said Rick Schostek, executive vice president with Honda North America, in a statement.