A $165 million fine from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for a sluggish recall—one of many in recent years—highlights flaws in the automaker's production safety record.

The regulator faulted the automaker for not recalling cars with defective rearview cameras quickly enough and for providing incomplete and inaccurate information.

Ford has agreed to pay $165m civil penalty following a US government investigation that concluded the company failed to recall vehicles with defective rearview cameras. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced the penalty, which includes a three-year consent order.