General Motors is recalling thousands of Chevrolet Cobalts over concerns the car’s ignition switch could inadvertently turn off due to its defective design. While on the road, the car’s ignition may turn off due to the weight of a heavy key chain or being bumped by a driver’s knee. Once this happens, a driver will lose all power steering, brakes, and the airbags will not deploy, endangering both the Cobalt driver and other nearby vehicles.
GM knew about this problem for at least 10 years but failed to issue a recall because “the incident rate was very low with no growing trend.” While GM delayed its recall, drivers on the road were hurt and killed as GM continued to produce the faulty ignition switches in its vehicles.
The 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalts are under recall due to the risk that the ignition switches produced by GM could suddenly turn off while on the road. 700,000 Chevrolet Cobalts are affected by the recall.
At least 42 people have been confirmed to have died and 58 seriously injured in accidents caused by GM ignition switches turning into the off position while being operated.
The Chevrolet Cobalt was developed in 2004 and first sold in 2005. It shares the same platform as the Chevrolet HHR, Pontiac G5, and Saturn Ion, three other vehicles under the GM ignition switch recall. The Cobalt has also seen recalls issued for problems with its power steering and fuel tank.
If you or your family were hurt while driving a Chevrolet Cobalt produced between 2005-2010 because the ignition switch failed to hold its position properly, then you may be eligible for substantial compensation. GM has set aside $400 million to settle claims arising from its faulty ignition switches.
The experienced team of attorneys at the Cochran Firm’s Washington, D.C. office is actively investigating claims of death and injury occurring as the result of defective GM ignition switches. GM has a responsibility to produce vehicles which are safe to those operating them as well as other drivers on the road.
Please call us at 202-682-5800 or fill out a contact form here on our website for a fast, free, and private consultation. Because strict time deadlines apply, we urge you to contact us at your earliest convenience in order to preserve your rights.