Toyota doesn't fess up, gets slapped with $1.2 billion fine

The federal government yesterday levied a record $1.2 billion penalty against Toyota for misleading the public and government regulators about the company’s problems with unintended acceleration in its vehicles caused by floor mat and “sticky gas pedal” issues.

The unintended acceleration problems affected nearly 6 million vehicles and resulted in multiple lawsuits—including a 30-state consumer protection lawsuit that resulted in a $29 million settlement in February 2013. The reimbursement program for consumers affected by Toyota’s unintended acceleration program expired in February 2014.

This expensive Public Service Announcement reminds the entire auto industry to address design mistakes, or pay up.