Ford Motor Co. has agreed to pay the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration $17.35 million because the automaker did not notify customers of a defect in a timely manner.
Ford had recalled approximately 423,000 2001-2004 Ford Escapes and Mazda Tributes because the gas pedal could remain depressed even after a driver removed their foot from the pedal. In the four-page filing, NHTSA said Ford’s recall “may have been untimely.”
“NHTSA’s record-setting fine charged to Ford is sending a loud message that it will not tolerate foot-dragging when it comes to recalls that could cause harm to consumers,” said Michelle Krebs, senior analyst at Edmunds.com, in a statement. “Any consumer who owns a 2001 to 2004 Ford Escape should take it to a dealer to have the work done that was outlined in the July 2012 recall if they have not done so already.”
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