Automakers, facing stiff fines for lackluster recall completion rates, are going to new lengths to reach owners of the millions of cars with known safety defects that remain on the road.

Volkswagen may have to do more than fix half-a-million cars implicated in an emissions-cheating scandal: It also could be forced to undo the environmental damage.

Toyota said its recalling 1.12 million SUVs because their seat belts can be cut by the metal seat-cushion frames, in another case of a safety device that can potentially harm vehicle occupants.

The affected models have a dual-stage, driver-side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion over time, which may cause an inflator to rupture in a crash.

The engineer operating an Amtrak train that derailed in Philadelphia last year pushed its throttle to full, increasing the trains speed to 106 miles per hour, before entering a sharp curve.

General Motors Co. and two car dealers settled U.S. claims that they touted rigorous inspection of used cars, yet were selling vehicles that had been subject to safety recalls and hadnt been repaired.

Millions more vehicles are being recalled to replace defective Takata Corp. air bags as another death was linked to the devices that have been found to spray metal pieces into vehicles.

The U.S. Transportation Department and 17 automakers are agreeing to work together on safety measures and to improve recalls while the companies also agreed to voluntarily work with the government to identify cybersecurity threats.