Ford penalized $165 million over moving too slowly on a rearview camera recall

Ford has agreed to pay a fine that could go up to $165 million after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found the automaker took too long to recall vehicles with faulty rearview cameras and failed to “provide accurate and complete recall information.” This penalty is the second largest, only behind the $200 million Takata was ordered to pay.

Originally issued in 2020, the recall impacts more than 600,000 vehicles from 2019 onward, including the Ford F-150, Mustang, Escape, Ranger, and Expedition, along with the Lincoln Nautilus and Lincoln Corsair. Affected vehicles have a rearview camera that sometimes shows a “blank or distorted image.” Ford says no accidents or injuries were reported due to the defect.

Under the agreement, Ford is required to pay $65 million upfront, followed by a $55 million deferred payment and an additional $45 million to invest in the development of a safety data infrastructure and a testing lab for rearview camera components.

“We appreciate the opportunity to resolve this matter with NHTSA and remain committed to continuously improving safety and compliance at Ford,” Ford spokesperson Maria Buczkowski said in an emailed statement to The Verge. “Wide-ranging enhancements are already underway with more to come, including advanced data analytics, a new in-house testing facility, among other capabilities.”

Additionally, the NHTSA will require Ford to review all of the recalls it issued within the past three years “to ensure they have been properly scoped.” It will also have an independent third party oversee its compliance with the NHTSA’s agreement.