STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Sometimes speaking up can really pay off.
Earlier this month, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced that it has awarded over $24 million to a whistleblower for information provided regarding safety concerns at car manufacturing companies Hyundai and Kia.
“Whistleblowers play a crucial role in bringing information to NHTSA about serious safety problems that are hidden from the agency,” said Dr. Steven Cliff, NHTSA’s deputy administrator. “This information is critical to public safety and we are committed to rewarding those who bring information to us.”
The information was related to the companies’ violation of the Safety Act, with the vehicle manufacturers being found to have issued “untimely recalls” on over 1.6 million vehicles equipped with Theta II engines, according to the NHTSA.
The companies were also found to have inaccurately reported crucial information to the NHTSA regarding the severity of the engine issues.
The combined penalties totaled $210 million, of which $81 million was paid in cash to the U.S. government, the agency stated.
By federal statute, the NHTSA was allowed to award 30% of the $81 million to the whistleblower for their contributions, resulting in a payout of $24.3 million.
Whistleblowers, who are protected by law, can provide information to the NHTSA by emailing [email protected] or by calling the agency’s hotline at 888-327-4236.
“NHTSA welcomes information from whistleblowers on a...
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