An Associated Press investigation found Toyota waited nearly a year to issue a U.S. recall in 2005 over defective steering rods in trucks and SUVs. Yet the company had already issued a similar recall in Japan and had dozens of reports from motorists that said the rods were snapping without warning.
Now the government is investigating.
According to Transportation Department rules you must notify the government of a safety defect within five business days of learning of the problem.
Toyota claimed initially after the 2004 Japanese recall that it had little evidence of a U.S. problem. But an investigation by The Associated Press has found the automaker had received at least 52 reports from U.S. drivers.
The automaker could face another fine of up to $16.4 million.
