Ford has agreed to pay the maximum $17.35 million fine after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) determined it took too much time to recall 485,000 V6-powered Ford Escapes from 2001-2004, which suffered from sticking gas pedals.
The NHTSA began investigating in July of last year after receiving 68 complaints, including 13 crashes and nine injuries. A teenage girl in Arizona even died in January 2012 as a result of this problem.
According to the NHTSA, Ford discovered that the Escape's gas pedal could remain stuck about six months earlier and didn't take necessary action to prevent these incidents.
Before Ford, Toyota and Chrysler also had to settle a recall dispute with the NHTSA, with the former paying the maximum fine as well.
Source : thedetroitbureau.com
The NHTSA began investigating in July of last year after receiving 68 complaints, including 13 crashes and nine injuries. A teenage girl in Arizona even died in January 2012 as a result of this problem.
According to the NHTSA, Ford discovered that the Escape's gas pedal could remain stuck about six months earlier and didn't take necessary action to prevent these incidents.
Before Ford, Toyota and Chrysler also had to settle a recall dispute with the NHTSA, with the former paying the maximum fine as well.
Source : thedetroitbureau.com
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| Photo: Ford |