DETROIT (AP) — Ford Motor Co. pays a effective of as much as $165 million to the U.S. authorities for continuing too slowly on a recall and failing to offer correct details about the recall.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says in a press release Thursday that the civil penalty is the second largest in its 54-year historical past. Only the effective Takata paid for defective airbag inflators was larger.
The company says Ford was too gradual to recall autos with faulty rearview cameras and failed to offer the company with full info, required by the federal Motor Vehicle Safety Act.
Ford agreed to a consent order with the company that features a $65 million fee and $45 million in spending to adjust to the regulation. Another $55 million will probably be deferred.
“Timely and correct remembers are essential to conserving everybody protected on our roadways,” NHTSA Deputy Administrator Sophie Shulman mentioned within the assertion. “When producers fail to prioritize the security of the American public and meet their obligations beneath federal regulation, NHTSA will maintain them accountable.”
Under the order, an unbiased third get together will oversee the automaker’s recall obligations for at the least three years.
Ford should additionally assessment all remembers from the previous three years to make sure that sufficient autos have been recalled and subject new remembers if obligatory.
The firm should additionally assessment and alter its recall decision-making course of, enhancing the way it analyzes information to establish security flaws in its autos.
Ford says it should make investments the $45 million in superior information analytics, a brand new data system and a brand new testing lab.
“We admire the chance to resolve this matter with NHTSA and stay dedicated to repeatedly enhancing security,” Ford mentioned in a press release.
