Ford finds itself under pressure after an investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration into delays in its recalls.
Ford, caught in the turmoil of a federal investigation, accepts a fine of 165 million dollars for failures linked to recalls of vehicles equipped with defective cameras. It is a hard blow for the manufacturer, which is committed to improving its security practices and transparency.
Record penalty for security breach
Security does not wait, and even less when it concerns millions of drivers. However, it was a delay in recalls of vehicles equipped with defective reversing cameras that cost Ford a stinging fine of $165 million. After an investigation lasting more than two years, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) revealed that the manufacturer failed to timely alert affected vehicle owners. An error which, according to the authorities, could have been avoided if more rigorous internal processes had been put in place. In fact, it all started in 2020, when Ford recalled nearly 620,000 vehicles for problems related to rear cameras. But it is only in 2022, with an addition of 24,000 additional vehicles, that the matter becomes problematic: the NHTSA discovers glaring deficiencies in the management of recalls, including inaccurate or incomplete information transmitted by Ford, reports late and a lack of transparency towards the public.
For Ford, the sanction is twofold: financial, of course, but also operational. Of the $165 million, 65 million will be paid immediatelywhile 45 million will be invested in projects aimed at strengthening fault detection and analysis capabilities. The remaining 55 million are suspended, provided that the manufacturer respects all of the commitments of the agreement. The agreement signed with the NHTSA requires a thorough overhaul of its practices. One of the measures includes the construction of an imaging laboratory dedicated to low-voltage electronic systems, an initiative aimed at preventing similar failures in the future.
A lesson for the entire sector
Ford will also need to develop a traceability system based on vehicle identification numbers, tracking individual components back to each affected car. This is not a simple modernization: this is a real revolution in the way the manufacturer manages safety. To ensure the measures are properly applied, an independent third party will monitor and evaluate Ford’s performance, while issuing recommendations. The Detroit manufacturer will also have to carry out a complete audit of the recalls carried out over the last three years and, if necessary, launch new recalls.
And to avoid any further blunders, quarterly meetings will be organized with the NHTSA, during which Ford will have to prove that it is implementing the requested changes. “We are committed to continually improving our security and compliance”Ford said in a statement. A statement that sounds like a mea culpa, although he disputes certain points raised by the NHTSA. Beyond the Ford affair, this sanction sends a strong message to the entire automobile industry: delays and approximations in the management of recalls will no longer be tolerated. As in-vehicle technologies become more complex, manufacturers must redouble their efforts to ensure their reliability and safety. For NHTSA, this agreement marks a key step in monitoring large automobile companies. By requiring not only fines, but also structural reforms, the agency aims to prevent future scandals and restore consumer confidence.
Source: www.autoplus.fr
