Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has been fined a record 105 million dollars for
failing to recall millions of cars. The National Highway Transportation
Safety Administration issued the penalty on the Italian-US company. Regulators
say that the company violated federal laws governing motor vehicle safety.
As part of the action, an independent monitor has been assigned to monitor
and audit the company's recall process for up to four years.
The company agreed to repurchase some cars as part of the deal, including
about 500,000 with defective suspension parts that can cause the car to
lose control.
Fiat Chrysler signed a consent order agreeing to the penalties which were
the largest ever levied. The recall covers nearly two dozen recalls affecting
more than 11 million cars, including Jeeps with rear gasoline tanks linked
to numerous fatal fires.