GENERAL MOTORS RECALL IGNITION FAILURE LAWSUIT HELP
The Law Firm of Eric H. Weinberg is currently assisting persons who have been injured, or whose loved ones have been injured, in an accident involving a General Motors vehicle that is subject to the recent GM ignition failure recall. We are ready to help you.
Since 1984, our firm has obtained $800 million on behalf of personal injury victims, including plaintiffs with product liability claims against global corporations. If you would like a free GM lawsuit evaluation, please fill out the easy to use “Legal Case Evaluation Form” found on this page, or call us toll free, 24/7 at 1-877-934-6274.
THE GENERAL MOTORS IGNITION FAILURE RECALL
Vehicles Covered By the Recall
Consumers can get the most up to date GM recall information by visiting the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website: www.safercar.gov.
General Motors has recalled nearly 2.6 million Chevrolet, Pontiac, and Saturn vehicles because their ignition switches are defective and could inadvertently shut off the engine and power system, disabling the air bags.
On February 13, 2014, General Motors issued a recall for some Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5 models. Since that time, the recall has been expanded to include the following vehicles:
- 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt
- 2005-2007 Pontiac G5
- 2003-2007 Saturn Ion
- 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR
- 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice
- 2007-2010 Saturn Sky
More About the GM Recall
These GM cars have been recalled due to a defect in the ignition switch. Under certain circumstances, the ignition switch can move out of the “run” position to the “accessory” or “off” positions, cutting off power to the vehicle. A heavy key ring, or similar object attached to the ignition key may cause this to happen. It may also happen if the vehicle is jarred, or bounces on a rough road. If the ignition switch moves out of the “run” position, it will shut off the engine and electrical power, disabling power-assisted brakes, power-assisted steering, and the air bags.
GM is alleged to have known of the potential problem for years and failed to properly disclose the problem or recall the cars in a timely manner. In fact, GM recently disclosed that it was aware of the problem as early as 2001; yet, it took no action until February 2014.
Reported Deaths and Injuries – The Numbers Don’t Add Up
According to a GM press release dated February 25, 2014, the company is aware of 31 reported vehicle crashes involving 13 front-seat deaths that may be linked to the ignition switch problem. In each of these fatalities, the air bags did not deploy. However, a review of federal crash data by Friedman Research Corporation, on behalf of the Center for Auto Safety, indicates that 303 people died after the air bags failed to deploy in two of the six recalled models – the 2005 to 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt and the 2003 to 2006 Saturn Ion. The crash data analyzed in the study were obtained from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatal Accident Reporting System for the reporting years 2002 through 2012.
What Did General Motors Know?
General Motors is alleged to have learned in 2004 of at least one engine losing power due to a problem with the ignition switch. Although GM began looking into this problem in 2004, no action was taken. By 2007, more incidents involving the ignition switch had been reported, including at least one fatality. According to a document GM furnished to the NHTSA, the company approved a redesign of the ignition key head in 2005, but it later cancelled the change. The reason for the cancellation is not known. GM finally redesigned the switch in 2006 or early 2007, but suspiciously did not change the switch parts number.
Recently, GM disclosed to the NHTSA that it discovered potential problems with the ignition system during the development of the Saturn Ion in 2001.
This all begs the question of why GM didn’t act until early 2014 to recall the vehicles with the defectively designed ignitions. Congressional Committees, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in New York and the NHTSA all want to know why GM took so long to act. If you or a loved one was injured due to a problem with one of these ignition systems, you deserve to know, as well.
General Motors is Under Investigation
The U.S. House of Representatives’ Energy and Commerce Committee is investigating GM’s response to consumer complaints stating that “Since 2003 consumers have filed numerous complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration describing problems with the recalled GM vehicles, including reports that the vehicles could stall or loose power while driving, sometimes at high rates of speed.” The Committee demanded that GM turnover documents regarding their responses to consumers’ complaints to aid in the inquiry. The Committee also asked GM to provide a briefing on how the company responded to reports of incidents since 2003, and of its interaction with the NHTSA since that time.
In addition, NHTSA has opened a Timeliness Query (TQ14-009, NHTSA Recall No. 14v-047) to evaluate the timing of GM’s defect decision making and reporting of the safety defect to NHTSA.
Federal prosecutors in New York have also initiated a criminal probe to determine if GM is criminally liable for not disclosing problems with its cars.
Obtain a Free GM Ignition Recall Lawsuit Evaluation
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in an accident involving a recalled GM vehicle, you may be entitled to financial compensation. For a free and non-obligatory GM Recall Lawsuit please submit the “Free Legal Case Evaluation Form” found on this page, or call us toll free, 24/7 at 877-934-6274. We promise to bring our 30 years of experience representing personal injury victims to bear on your behalf.
