Fiat Chrysler hit with R1-billion safety issue fine

Washington - US transportation safety regulators on Thursday (Dec 10) said they had fined Fiat Chrysler $70-million for failure to inform the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) about safety issues.

Failed protocols

Fiat Chrysler admitted in September 2015 that it had for years failed to follow regulatory protocols for reporting warranty claims and consumer complaints, including accidents, injuries and fatalities.

"Accurate, early-warning reporting is a legal requirement, and it's also part of a manufacturer's obligation to protect the safety of the traveling public," US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said in the announcement.

"We need FCA and other automakers to move toward a stronger, more proactive safety culture, and when they fall short, we will continue to exercise our enforcement authority to set them on the right path."

NHTSA fined Fiat Chrysler $105-million at the end of July for sloppy handling of two dozen safety recalls.