Did a maker pay a penalty for recalling a failing engine too late?

NHTSA's consent orders put a combined $210 million penalty on Hyundai ($140 million) and Kia ($70 million) for untimely recalls of over 1,600,000 vehicles with Theta II engines and for inaccurate reporting to NHTSA.

NHTSA consent orders over late Theta II engine recalls: penalties by maker, in millions of dollars. Hyundai: $140M; Kia: $70M.

Source: NHTSA press release: NHTSA Announces Consent Orders with Hyundai and Kia Over Theta II Recall · file downloaded 2026-10-05