Washington, March 14 (RHC)-- The Japanese automaker Honda has agreed to pay a record amount in fines to the U.S. government for failing to report thousands of customer complaints of injury and death since 2003. Honda Motor Co. will pay $70 million in penalties for failing to report over 1,700 injuries and deaths during of 11 years, according to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The amount includes two $35 million fines, and is the highest allowed by the U.S. against an automaker for reporting violations, according to the NHTSA. As part of the agreement, Honda will also face stricter oversights by government regulators to make sure safety reporting is done accurately in future.

According to NHTSA, the automaker was charged on two civil penalties: one for underreporting death and injury incidents, and one for failing to provide required information for certain warranty claims. Honda also failed to comply with Early Warning Reporting (EWR) federal law, that helps identify potential safety concerns including consumer complaints, production information, death or injury incidents.