Ford Faces Investigation Over Rearview Camera Recall
» Posted October 4, 2021 • Resources | Share This Post
Ford is facing new scrutiny over a recent recall of more than half a million vehicles with faulty rearview cameras.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is looking into whether Ford slowplayed a decision to recall some 620,000 vehicles. Regulators are also mulling whether the recall should have included more cars.
“The [Recall Query] is being opened to investigate both the timeliness and scope of Ford's rearview camera recall and Ford's compliance with reporting requirements,” NHTSA said in documents posted to the agency’s website.
Ford announced the recall in September 2020, saying that backup camera displays on various models showed a blank screen or distorted image. The company cited a circuit board problem in vehicles including certain Mustang, Explorer, Ranger and F-series pickup models, as well as Lincoln Nautilus and Corsair vehicles.
But NHTSA said Ford was aware of the problem as early as seven months prior to the recall. The agency added that it alerted Ford to growing complaints about the issue in July 2020.
Ford is said to be cooperating in the investigation, according to a report from the Associated Press.
How the California Lemon Law Protects Car Owners and Lessors
The federal probe raises new questions about Ford’s process for alerting car owners and lessors about defects. It also highlights just how frequently Ford and other major auto manufacturers call back cars for defects that can put everyone on the road at risk.
In August, for example, the company announced that it was recalling some 775,000 Explorer sport utility vehicles over a steering defect that Ford said could cause drivers to lose control of their cars. The recall followed reports of at least six crashes related to the defect.
Fortunately, car owners and drivers in California have some significant rights and protections under the state’s lemon law.
The Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act requires car manufacturers to perform various repairs on vehicles while they are under warranty. It also forces the companies to buy back (or, sometimes, replace) cars that they are unwilling or unable to fix.
An experienced lemon law attorney can help you understand your rights and options, evaluate your case and take action.
How a San Diego Lemon Law Attorney Can Help
If you are a car owner or lessor who has been stuck with a lemon, an experienced San Diego lemon law attorney at Bickel Sannipoli APC can help pursue legal action against the manufacturer.
Our firm has represented hundreds of clients in defective vehicle cases in San Diego and across the state. We help the people we represent fight back by holding defective car manufacturers legally liable and getting their cars replaced or their money back
Our offices are conveniently located in San Diego, L.A., and San Francisco. Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a San Diego lemon law attorney today.
