Photo: Toyota
As far as regular cars are concerned, Toyota is arguably up there at the top in terms of reliability. Be that as it may, not everything is perfect with the Japanese automaker if you remember the floor mats problem that resulted in the death of 89 people and no fewer than 57 injuries.
Mistakes can be made because it’s human nature, and even companies can be held accountable for them. This is exactly how Toyota received a huge fine from the U.S. Department of Justice over “decade-long noncompliance with Clean Air Act reporting requirements,” which is somewhat intriguing.
Why did Toyota, the leading automaker in terms of hybrid and plug-in hybrid technologies, routinely failed to comply with reporting requirements? According to the DOJ release at the end of this story, the Japanese automaker has willingly sustained a state of noncompliance from 2005 until 2015, failing to file 78 emissions information defect reports with the EPA.
We don’t know the answer to that, but the U.S. Department of Justice highlights how “Toyota’s conduct likely resulted in delayed or avoided recalls.” Undermining the self-disclosure system is a big mistake by all accounts, but we also have to consider the leniency exhibited by the DOJ.
In recent years, the federal executive department has sued or brought charges on automakers such as Volkswagen, Daimler, and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles over serious wrongdoings such as the Dieselgate scandal. Toyota hasn’t been accused of cheating emissions per se, but don’t forget that failing to report is an insult to environmental laws and Lady Justice.
“Toyota shut its eyes to the noncompliance, failing to provide proper training, attention, and oversight to its Clean Air Act reporting obligations,” explained Audrey Strauss, Acting Attorney for New York's Southern District.
“For a decade, Toyota failed to report mandatory information about potential defects in their cars to the Environmental Protection Agency, keeping the agency in the dark and evading oversight,” added Susan Bodine, EPA Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Assistant Administrator.
Why did Toyota, the leading automaker in terms of hybrid and plug-in hybrid technologies, routinely failed to comply with reporting requirements? According to the DOJ release at the end of this story, the Japanese automaker has willingly sustained a state of noncompliance from 2005 until 2015, failing to file 78 emissions information defect reports with the EPA.
We don’t know the answer to that, but the U.S. Department of Justice highlights how “Toyota’s conduct likely resulted in delayed or avoided recalls.” Undermining the self-disclosure system is a big mistake by all accounts, but we also have to consider the leniency exhibited by the DOJ.
In recent years, the federal executive department has sued or brought charges on automakers such as Volkswagen, Daimler, and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles over serious wrongdoings such as the Dieselgate scandal. Toyota hasn’t been accused of cheating emissions per se, but don’t forget that failing to report is an insult to environmental laws and Lady Justice.
“Toyota shut its eyes to the noncompliance, failing to provide proper training, attention, and oversight to its Clean Air Act reporting obligations,” explained Audrey Strauss, Acting Attorney for New York's Southern District.
“For a decade, Toyota failed to report mandatory information about potential defects in their cars to the Environmental Protection Agency, keeping the agency in the dark and evading oversight,” added Susan Bodine, EPA Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Assistant Administrator.
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