Issues
7 Years Before Recall, Crash Investigator Raised Concern Over Switched-Off G.M. Air Bags – 2/21/14
In 2007, about seven years before General Motors’ recent recall of 778,000 small cars because a jolt or a heavy key ring could turn off the engine and disable the air bags, an investigator for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration raised the possibility of such danger after researching a crash that had killed two teenagers.
The investigator also noted the existence of a 2005 technical service bulletin – which was updated in 2006 – in which G.M. warned dealers that it was possible the engine could be accidentally turned off because of a problem with the ignition.
Lawsuit: GM knew of Cobalt ignition problem
Ignition switch problem can shut off engine while driving, and it can cut off the driver’s power steering and brakes, as well as safety systems such as airbags and anti-lock brakes
General Motors Recalls 778,000 Small Cars for Ignition Switch Problem
General Motors is recalling about 619,000 small cars in the United States because either a heavy key ring or a “jarring event” such as running off the road could cause the ignition to shut off and possibly prevent the air bags from deploying in a crash, the automaker said in a report posted today on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website. The vehicles affected by the recall are the 2007 Pontiac G5 and the 2005-7 Chevrolet Cobalt.