Fiat-Chrysler's 'Significant Failure' To Properly Disclose Early Warnings To Consumers May Have Resulted In Injuries, Deaths

• Shares of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV FCAU tumbled more than 2 percent on Tuesday.
• Various media reports cited the NHTSA as saying that Fiat Chrysler under-reported the number of deaths in accidents involving its vehicles.
• The reports come just two months after the company agreed to pay up to $105 million in fines for not recalling affected vehicles quickly enough.

Various media sources reported that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is accusing Fiat Chrysler of "widely" under-reporting the number of deaths in accidents involving its vehicles.

NHTSA described the discrepancy as being "significant" and marks another blow to the company's reputation just two months after it agreed to pay up to $105 million in fines for its failure to report recalls quickly.

Shares of Fiat Chrysler were trading in positive territory on Tuesday, but sharply moved lower following the news reports.

NHTSA said that it notified the company of the "apparent discrepancy" back in July. The company responded that it "promptly" notified NHTSA that it will investigate the matter and cooperate with the agency.

Investors and traders had reason to be concerned as the NHTSA previously stated it will punish the company further if it discovered any more problems in its recall processes during the course of its investigation. However, it was not immediately clear if Fiat Chrysler's under-reporting of deaths Is in any way connected to the recalls or other incidents.