Product News and Recalls

GM recalls 1.3 million cars, knew of fatal defect in 2004

A recent New York Times article details a serious fault with an ignition switch in over 1 million GM cars. According to the Times, the auto maker knew about the faulty switch as early as 2004, yet did not start a limited recall campaign until January 31, 2014.

According to USA Today: “The switches unexpectedly can move from ‘run’ into ‘accessory,’ killing power to the airbags and other systems. Heavy key rings can exacerbate the problem.”

In February, GM expanded the initial recall to include over 1.3 million cars with faulty switches. Affected models include: 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, 2007 Pontiac G5, 2003-2007 Saturn Ion, 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR, and 2006-2007 Pontiac Solstice, and 2007 Saturn Sky.

GM admits that 13 deaths have been linked with the faulty switches, and 31 accidents where the airbags failed to deploy when they should have. If past experience with U.S. corporations’ handling of safety issues is any guide, the true rate of failure and serious accidents is likely far higher.

Lopez McHugh is monitoring this developing story. If you were injured by one of the above models, contact a Lopez McHugh attorney for a free GM Lawsuit evaluation.