Triumph Fined $2.9 Million by the NHTSA for Delayed Recall Reporting

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of the U.S. Department of Transportation has imposed a civil penalty (read fine) against the US branch of Triumph Motorcycles and its mother-company.

According to the NHTSA, the reason for the penalty is failure to comply with the Safety Act by not submitting the quarterly reports on the completion rate of a certain recall. The recall in question was related to a defect acknowledged in September 2014. 

A defect in around 1,300 bikes could lead to poor steering capability, thus increasing the risk of a crash. While Triumph carried out the recall campaign, it looks like all the adjacent paperwork has not reached the NHTSA in a timely manner, and the manufacturer also failed to respond to a Special Order the NHTSA had issued.

Triumph fined and required to invest in improving the safety practices
The British manufacturer admits being at fault, asdealernews reports: "Triumph has admitted it violated the Safety Act by failing to file certain quarterly reports on safety recalls in a timely manner; by failing to furnish NHTSA with copies of notices, service bulletins, and other communications sent to more than one manufacturer, distributor, dealer, owner or purchaser as required by law; and by failing to submit accurate early warning reports."

Triumph received a $1.4 million (€1.25 mil) fine, and is required to spend $500,000 (€447,000) for improving the safety-related practices and procedures. The same source mentions that "an additional $1 million (€893,000) in penalties could become due if the company violates the consent order or if additional Safety Act violations emerge.

“Manufacturers must comply with their reporting obligations. The law requires it, and public safety demands it. When companies fail to meet those obligations, we will hold them accountable,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx declared.

The consent required that Triumph hires an independent consultant to audit the company's safety-specific practices, "establish a compliance officer position with direct access to the company’s board and senior executives; and submit written plans for compliance practices and employee training for NHTSA’s approval."

Source: Autoevolution