General Motors recently recalled 1.6 million cars due to problems with the ignition switch turning off while the vehicles are running. This product defect can endanger car passengers because air bags and power brakes and steering are disabled when the cars turn off. GM has admitted that its engineers were aware of this serious problem with their vehicles 10 years ago, but the vehicles were not recalled until last month.
The ignition switch defect in GM cars is associated to at least 12 deaths and 34 crashes in recalled cars, the automaker said. Investigations into GM’s actions and the product defects are ongoing and more deaths may be associated with the ignition switch problem than initially thought. The recall affects 1.37 million Chevrolet Cobalt and HHR, Saturn Ion and Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice models built between 2003 and 2007.
According to GM, the ignition switch on these models can switch off while the car is being driven. GM CEO Mary Barra has admitted publicly that the auto manufacturer did not act swiftly in addressing the ignition switch defect. On Tuesday, GM appointed a new vehicle safety chief whose job duties will include addressing problems like defective ignition switches.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it did not order General Motors to issue a recall sooner because GM did not provide information about the connection between the faulty ignition switches and failing air bags.
If you drove any of the following cars, The Cochran Firm, D.C. is offering a free consultation:
Buick Enclave 2008-13
Chevrolet Traverse 2009-13
The team of product liability and injury attorneys at The Cochran Firm, D.C. are investigating claims related to the recalled GM vehicles. If you or someone you know drove one of the recalled vehicles and got into a serious car accident, please contact us to receive a free, confidential case evaluation. Because strict deadlines apply to legal claims, we recommend contacting us as soon as possible.
