Zipcar Fined $300K For Renting Recalled Vehicles To Customers

Zipcar received a $300,000 fine from the NHTSA for allowing customers to rent vehicles subject to open recalls between 2017 and 2018.
The fine relates to 2015-2017 Ford Transit vans that had potential transmission and driveshaft issues that could lead to power loss and unintended movement.
This marks the first enforcement action against a rental car company for recall violations under a 2015 law requiring repairs prior to rentals.
Zipcar must pay $150,000 upfront and can avoid the remainder by complying with audit and training requirements outlined in the consent order.
The company says it has implemented new policies and processes since 2018 to improve recall compliance across its 12,000 vehicle global fleet.