Ford Motor Co. has agreed to a $165 million penalty after a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) investigation found delays in recalling vehicles with defective rearview cameras.
The consent order mandates Ford pay $65 million upfront, invest $45 million in safety analytics and testing, and hold $55 million in abeyance based on compliance.
The NHTSA’s probe began in 2021 after Ford recalled 620,246 vehicles in 2020 due to camera issues, later expanding the recall in 2022. The investigation found Ford provided incomplete information and missed required reporting deadlines.
Ford will now conduct a full review of recent recalls, establish an imaging test lab, and develop VIN-based tracking systems. Quarterly meetings with NHTSA and oversight from an independent third party will ensure compliance.
