Toyota Faces Tough Decision on Acceptance of $16.4 Million Fine

As federal officials pore over tens of thousands of documents related to safety issues at Toyota, the company is faced with a dilemma: should it accept and pay a record $16.4 million that might look like an admission of guilt, or should it fight the government and risk more bad publicity. The documents, uncovered by U.S. officials, show that Toyota knew about the defects in September 2009 when it issued recalls in Europe and Canada for sticky gas pedals and problems related to sudden acceleration, but did not issue recalls in the U.S. until January 2010. Nearly 100 injury and death cases as well as many class action lawsuits have been filed nationwide against Toyota. (4/6) Detroit News, AP