Chrysler Pays Fine for Fuel System Failure

U.S. safety officials said Chrysler Corp. paid a $140,000 civil penalty in connection with the failure of 1994 Dodge Ram trucks to adequately protect fuel systems in case of a crash. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said the Ram 1500 pickup trucks with long wheelbase, lighter gauge frame rails and no rear bumpers failed the standard to protect the fuel system’s integrity in a crash. Because of this, 7,000 trucks were recalled, it said. The NHTSA said Chrysler’s development tests were not based on a “worst case” scenario and that they should have raised the firm’s awareness of the potential failure of the fuel system. It said the $140,000 fine paid was among the top five penalties recovered for a federal safety standard violation. The NHTSA said it sought a big fine because this was the second time in recent years that Highland Park, Mich.-based Chrysler made and sold trucks that failed the fuel system integrity standard.