Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) is recalling about 16,000 2011 F-150 pick-up truck vehicles that were built between September 9 and September 22, 2011. The recall also consists of the Ford F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, and Heavy Duty models. About 16,091 total vehicles are being recalled. The NHTSA said that vehicles that do not comply with requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard number 114, which is theft protection. The transmission can be shifted out of park without pressing on the brake pedal due to brake shift interlock switch problems.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has initiated an investigation on General Motors Company (NYSE:GM) due to fire risks. One of the Chevrolet Volt battery packs was being closely monitored after the government did a crash test and it caught on fire. Another recent crash test caused the battery to emit smoke and sparks.

The Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has charged Toyota with a $16.375 million fine. The penalty was “for failing to notify the auto safety agency of the dangerous ‘sticky pedal’ defect for at least four months, despite knowing of the potential risk to consumers.”

This is the largest penalty that was ever given to a single manufacturing company. Supposedly Toyota knew about the defect as early as September 29, 2009 but did not issue a recall until January. [Consumerist]