Toyota says it has agreed to pay a $180 million fine to the U.S. government. This is over violations of the Clean Air Act protocol. In fact, this went on for 10 years between 2005 and 2015. Moreover, the timely reporting of defects creating problems with some cars’ tailpipe emission regulation systems was a violation of the Clear Air Act. The automaker managers and other employees in knew about the issues said the EPA. In fact, the EPA, in a federal lawsuit, said that the company managers and other employees in Japan knew about the issues but completely failed to report them as agreed between 2005 and 2015.

Court Filing Against the Carmaker

Under the Clean Air Act Rules, automakers have to notify the EPA when there are 25 or more vehicles or engines in a model year with the same defect in an emission-control component. This is according to the government’s court filing against Toyota. In fact, it said Toyota was late in filing. This resulted in as many as 78 emission defect reports.

Toyota’s Noncompliance and More

On the settlement quoted by Audrey Straus, who is acting U.S. attorney for the U.S. District of New York, said, on the EPA statement: “Toyota has shut its eyes to the noncompliance. They have not offered proper training, attention, and oversight to its Clean Air Act reporting obligations.” This is “likely led to delay or avoid emission-related recalls. It was resulting in a financial benefit to Toyota and excess emissions of air pollutants.”

Toyota is Receiving the Largest Civil Penalty

The automaker did alert the government as soon as it became aware of problems. In addition, to any delays in its reporting to the EPA was a result in “a negligible emissions impact, if any.” This is according to Toyota spokesperson Eric Booth. Therefore, Toyota will not dispute the fine. It is considered the largest civil penalty ever. This is for a violation in emissions reporting. It is based on the EPA’s statement on the settlement.