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CAS Statement on General Motors $35 Million Civil Penalty
The Center for Auto Safety is the nation’s premier independent, member driven, non-profit consumer advocacy organization dedicated to improving vehicle safety, quality, and fuel economy on behalf of all drivers, passengers, and pedestrians.
Immediate Release: May 16, 2014
Clarence Ditlow 202-328-7700
CAS Statement on DOT-GM Ignition Switch $35 Million Consent Agreement
In entering a consent agreement with GM over the ignition switch defect, DOT did the most that it could do under the Safety Act – impose a $35 million fine and require GM to have a system in place to ensure compliance with the recall provisions of the Act. Congress should untie DOT’s hands and make violation of all provisions of the Safety Act criminal plus uncap civil penalties.
The big issue is what is the Department of Justice going to do? The Center for Auto Safety calls on the Justice Department to impose a billion dollar plus fine on GM and bring individual criminal prosecutions against the responsible GM officials. People died. Justice demands more than a $35 million slap on the wrist to a hundred billion dollar corporation like GM when it kills consumers.
Clarence Ditlow, Executive Director
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Background:
Click here to view the Consent Order
Click here for the NHTSA Press Release
Click here to view the NHTSA Timeliness Query
The recalled GM vehicles include:
- All 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt
- 2005-2007 Pontiac G5
- 2003-2007 Saturn Ion
- 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR
- 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice
- 2007-2010 Saturn Sky