The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is looking into whether Ford Motor Company acted quickly enough during its backup camera recall last year, the Associated Press and other media outlets report. In 2020, Ford recalled more than 600,000 Ford and Lincoln vehicles because of a problem with the backup camera. When the vehicles were put in reverse gear, the camera image became distorted or would simply not show up at all. The problem was traced back to a poor connection in the camera, but an investigation has now been launched into the recall.
Details and Background of the Investigation
Ford issued the recall in phases. The automaker said it initially noticed the issue in early 2020 through warranty claims. From there, it went internal until the agency tipped Ford off about an increasing number of people complaining about the vehicles. At an August meeting, Ford showed the agency data indicating high failure rates on some models.
Now, NHTSA is looking into whether Ford acted quickly enough with the recall. The agency is also looking into whether the company was or wasn’t thorough with its internal investigation. The recall may have picked up some vehicles.
It is also unclear whether this investigation will look into the recent recall of April of the Lincoln Aviator and its backup camera. When that happens, the driver won’t benefit from the backup camera when the vehicle is in reverse. Ford has said it is cooperating with NHTSA on the investigation.
Backup Cameras and Safety
Since May 2018, federal law has required that all new passenger cars, trucks, vans, and other vehicles weighing less than 10,000 pounds be equipped with rearview monitoring technology. In most cases, that means rear-mounted video cameras. Government statistics show that lack of backup cameras or similar technology results in about 210 deaths and 15,000 injuries yearly from back-over accidents. Sadly, 31% of those fatalities involve children under 5.
In this case, NHTSA is looking into whether Ford issued a timely recall for vehicles whose backup cameras were not functioning correctly. This is a violation of federal law. The agency is also looking into whether Ford included all vehicles that should have been included.
If you or a loved one has been injured due to a defective auto, you may be able to seek compensation for injuries, damages, and losses. An experienced auto defect lawyer will be able to guide you through the process and help you recover maximum compensation for your losses.
Source: https://jalopnik.com/nhtsa-is-investigating-ford-over-its-backup-camera-reca-1847439529
