The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Ford's inaction failed to "prioritize the safety of the American public."

Ford Motor Co. agreed to a $165 million civil penalty to settle allegations the company failed to recall cars with defective rearview cameras in a timely manner, the second-largest fine ever levied by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Ford Motor Co. will pay a penalty of up to $165 million to the U.S. government for moving too slowly on a recall and failing to give accurate recall information.

Ford Motor Co. will be forced to pay the second largest civil penalty by an automaker after the federal government said the company did not act fast enough to issue a recall over faulty rearview cameras.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Thursday Ford Motor has agreed to a $165 million civil penalty after a government investigation found the automaker failed to recall vehicles with defective rearview cameras in a timely manner.

US penalizes Ford up to $165 million for moving too slowly on a recall.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says Ford was too slow to recall vehicles with faulty rearview cameras, and it failed to give the agency complete information, which is required by the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Act.