Honda Admits Underreporting US Death, Injury Claims Since 2003
Due to its narrow interpretation of the TREAD Act, Honda admitted to underreporting the number of claims linked to injuries and/or deaths caused by safety issues in its products since 2003.
Automotive News reports 1,729 claims — including eight related to the Takata airbag recall crisis — went unreported thanks to a combination of said interpretation and data entry and computer programming errors when a report was made.
The admission of guilt comes from a third-party investigation’s findings in September of this year, conducted after the Center for Auto Safety accused Honda of failing to report two Takata-related incidences of death and/or injury. The results were handed over to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in compliance with a special order regarding the lapse.
Honda is already making adjustments to its reporting system, adding oral and written claims to the standard reports, and will make changes to its organization methods and staffing. In the meantime, the automaker will likely face a fine of $35 million, as well as a $7,000/day fine for every day it was in violation of the TREAD Act since 2003, a fine that could exceed the NHTSA’s maximum.
Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.
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Did I buy a Honda because I thought the company was "above" everyone else? Uh... Nope. Just liked the car better than the others. Do I think people should never buy a GM car because they are a corrupt company? Nope. Buy what you want. I won't cuz I don't like the feel of their cars. Period. I would be willing to bet money that people on this site who are actually employed, work for a company that has done improper, illegal things at any given point in their existence. Should you quit in protest? Nope. Do what you want. Might all be unemployed if that was the case. Just stop feigning fake outrage at Honda.
jimmyy should be along shortly to twist this into another UAW/Obama conspiracy.
Fudge, I was so proud of the company behind my Accord. I still am, just more for a much smaller portion of the company and its ethics. I'm disappointed in the auto industry, consumers/the nation, and a little on myself as well. This is BS! I was eager to believe I was better than the rest. I apologize! Both we consumers and the producers are responsible for this crazy BS, with injured people left in the wake!
May be dangerous but it is still Honda.