Triumph Motorcycles is facing a $2.9-million fine from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for being late in submitting safety-related documents to the agency, which violates the Safety Act. Of that money, $1.4 million goes to the government, and the bike maker must spend at least $500,000 to improve its safety practices. Violating any of NHTSA's stipulations would add another $1 million onto the punishment.
The investigation that led to the huge fine started with a safety campaign for over 1,300 bikes in September 2014. NHTSA found that Triumph reported the problem late and then discovered other violations, like submitting quarterly recall completion rates late and not supplying warranty data. Making matters worse, the motorcycle maker also took too much time in meeting the deadline for the government's inquiry.
"Today's enforcement action penalizes past violations, and it promotes the proactive safety culture manufacturers must adopt if they are to reduce safety defects and identify them more quickly than they occur," NHTSA Administrator Mark Rosekind said. As part of the settlement, Triumph has to hire an independent auditor to check the company's safety practices. It also has to create a position for a compliance officer and submit written reports to NHTSA.
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The investigation that led to the huge fine started with a safety campaign for over 1,300 bikes in September 2014. NHTSA found that Triumph reported the problem late and then discovered other violations, like submitting quarterly recall completion rates late and not supplying warranty data. Making matters worse, the motorcycle maker also took too much time in meeting the deadline for the government's inquiry.
"Today's enforcement action penalizes past violations, and it promotes the proactive safety culture manufacturers must adopt if they are to reduce safety defects and identify them more quickly than they occur," NHTSA Administrator Mark Rosekind said. As part of the settlement, Triumph has to hire an independent auditor to check the company's safety practices. It also has to create a position for a compliance officer and submit written reports to NHTSA.
NHTSA Fines Triumph Motorcycles $2.9 Million for Failing to Submit Early Warning Reports and Other Required Documents
NHTSA 42-15
Monday, August 31, 2015
NHTSA investigation uncovers failure to report safety data; company also filed late response to NHTSA Special Order
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration today imposed a $2.9 million civil penalty against Triumph Motorcycles Ltd. and Triumph Motorcycles (America) Ltd. for violations of Safety Act reporting requirements and failure to fully respond to communications from NHTSA.
"Manufacturers must comply with their reporting obligations. The law requires it, and public safety demands it," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. "When companies fail to meet those obligations, we will hold them accountable."
Under a consent order issued to Triumph, the company must pay a $1.4 million cash penalty and must spend at least $500,000 meeting a series of requirements to improve its safety practices. An additional $1 million in penalties could become due if the company violates the consent order or if additional Safety Act violations emerge.
The consent order requires Triumph to hire an independent consultant to audit the company's safety 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.
"Today's enforcement action penalizes past violations, and it promotes the proactive safety culture manufacturers must adopt if they are to reduce safety defects and identify them more quickly than they occur," said NHTSA Administrator Mark Rosekind.
The penalty stems from Triumph's September 2014 recall of more than 1,300 motorcycles for a defect that could reduce steering capability and increase the risk of a crash. This April, NHTSA began an investigation into whether Triumph had violated the requirement to report the defect in a timely manner, and into other potential violations, including failure to submit quarterly reports on recall completion rates; failure to supply copies of technical service bulletins; and failure to file early warning data reports on death and injury claims, warranty data and other information.
In response to NHTSA's investigation, Triumph acknowledged deficiencies in the manner in which it collected and reported early warning data to NHTSA and several instances where Triumph was late in providing quarterly reports on safety recalls. In addition, the company failed to respond by the required deadline to a NHTSA Special Order issued as part of the investigation
Triumph admits that 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.
View the consent order
Stay connected with NHTSA: Search for open recalls with VIN look up | Download the Safercar Mobile App for Apple or Android devices | Receive recall alerts by email | Visit us on Facebook.com/NHTSA | Follow us on Twitter.com/NHTSAgov | Watch 5-Star Safety Ratings crash tests on YouTube.com/USDOTNHTSA | SaferCar.gov
NHTSA 42-15
Monday, August 31, 2015
NHTSA investigation uncovers failure to report safety data; company also filed late response to NHTSA Special Order
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration today imposed a $2.9 million civil penalty against Triumph Motorcycles Ltd. and Triumph Motorcycles (America) Ltd. for violations of Safety Act reporting requirements and failure to fully respond to communications from NHTSA.
"Manufacturers must comply with their reporting obligations. The law requires it, and public safety demands it," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. "When companies fail to meet those obligations, we will hold them accountable."
Under a consent order issued to Triumph, the company must pay a $1.4 million cash penalty and must spend at least $500,000 meeting a series of requirements to improve its safety practices. An additional $1 million in penalties could become due if the company violates the consent order or if additional Safety Act violations emerge.
The consent order requires Triumph to hire an independent consultant to audit the company's safety 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.
"Today's enforcement action penalizes past violations, and it promotes the proactive safety culture manufacturers must adopt if they are to reduce safety defects and identify them more quickly than they occur," said NHTSA Administrator Mark Rosekind.
The penalty stems from Triumph's September 2014 recall of more than 1,300 motorcycles for a defect that could reduce steering capability and increase the risk of a crash. This April, NHTSA began an investigation into whether Triumph had violated the requirement to report the defect in a timely manner, and into other potential violations, including failure to submit quarterly reports on recall completion rates; failure to supply copies of technical service bulletins; and failure to file early warning data reports on death and injury claims, warranty data and other information.
In response to NHTSA's investigation, Triumph acknowledged deficiencies in the manner in which it collected and reported early warning data to NHTSA and several instances where Triumph was late in providing quarterly reports on safety recalls. In addition, the company failed to respond by the required deadline to a NHTSA Special Order issued as part of the investigation
Triumph admits that 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.
View the consent order
Stay connected with NHTSA: Search for open recalls with VIN look up | Download the Safercar Mobile App for Apple or Android devices | Receive recall alerts by email | Visit us on Facebook.com/NHTSA | Follow us on Twitter.com/NHTSAgov | Watch 5-Star Safety Ratings crash tests on YouTube.com/USDOTNHTSA | SaferCar.gov
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