DALLAS — Federal safety regulators are seeking up to $162.4 million in fines against American Airlines and its affiliates for alleged violations of U.S. safety standards going back several years. The sanctions would dwarf any previous penalties against an airline.

Many of the investigations had not been disclosed until the Federal Aviation Administration filed documents describing them to the federal court handling the bankruptcy case of American and parent AMR Corp.

The court documents underscore the scope and depth of FAA’s concern about the maintenance program at American, the nation’s third-largest airline. They are coming to light just as American seeks to fix labor and financial problems and turn itself around after losing more than $10 billion since 2001.

American said Tuesday that it has been working with federal officials for several years to improve training and oversight in its maintenance operations.