Ford Faces $165 Million Penalty, Second-Largest Fine in NHTSA History, Over Recall Delays

Ford Motor Company has agreed to pay a $165 million penalty to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for delays in recalling vehicles equipped with malfunctioning rearview cameras. This fine marks the second-largest in NHTSA’s history, following the 2019 Takata airbag recall penalty.

In a consent order, the NHTSA cited Ford for failing to provide accurate and complete information in its recall reports and for delays in submitting mandatory quarterly recall updates. The automaker will pay $65 million upfront, while $55 million will be suspended, contingent on compliance with the terms of the agreement. An additional $45 million will be invested in safety improvements, including advanced data analytics tools and a new testing lab dedicated to low-voltage electronic systems like rearview cameras.

Ford will also work with an independent third party specializing in motor vehicle safety regulations to ensure ongoing compliance with federal standards. The NHTSA emphasized the importance of these measures to prevent future lapses.

“We appreciate the opportunity to resolve this matter with NHTSA and remain committed to continuously improving safety and compliance at Ford,” a Ford spokesperson told TechCrunch. “Wide-ranging enhancements are already underway with more to come, including advanced data analytics [and] a new in-house testing facility.”