Honda fined $70 million for not reporting complaints that its vehicles caused deaths, injuries

The government says it is fining Honda $70 million for not reporting to safety regulators more than 1,700 complaints that its vehicles caused deaths and injuries, and for not reporting warranty claims. It's the largest civil penalty the agency has levied against an automaker.

Honda disclosed the reporting failure in November, admitting that company officials had waited three years after finding out about the reporting failure before making the disclosure to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said the government won't tolerate automakers withholding safety information.

He said regulators had shared information about the case with the Justice Department. The private Center for Auto Safety has called for a criminal investigation into the case.