Ford will pay the second-largest penalty in automotive history for moving slowly to correct a safety problem with backup cameras in many of its 2020 model-year trucks, SUVs, and vans.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) explains, “This action follows an investigation that found the company failed to recall vehicles with defective rearview cameras in a timely manner and failed to provide accurate and complete recall information as required by the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.”
As part of a consent order with NHTSA, “an independent third party will oversee and make recommendations regarding all performance obligations and assess the company’s compliance with the consent order, the Vehicle Safety Act, and federal regulations.”
Ford has led the automotive industry for the ignominious title of most recalls in recent years. In 2022, the company recalled more than 8.6 million cars to fix 67 known defects. In 2023, after a significant quality push, it cut that figure to 5.9 million and 55 defects.
This year, the company took a new approach to solving the problem. It delayed the shipment of newly redesigned cars for up to six weeks to allow inspectors to search for defects.
So far in 2024, Ford has announced 62 – again, more than any other automaker.
