GM Could Have to Tell Customers Not to Drive Cars Until Ignition Switch Problem Fixed in Vehicle Recall Case
Now, a judge has said that the automotive manufacturer will have to tell consumers to “park it” until ignition switches are finished, if plaintiffs in a class action lawsuit can convince the judge that the cars are too dangerous to drive.
U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos in Corpus Christi, Texas, said that the “park it” order would be the only “fail safe solution” in the event that the cars under the ignition switch vehicle recall are considered too unsafe to drive because they have caused so many injuries and deaths in the last 10 years.
In late February, when the first part of the ignition switch vehicle recall was issued, GM acknowledged that it knew about at least 13 deaths related to crashes. When the recall was recently expanded to 1.4 million vehicles, GM added that 31 people had been injured due to crashes directly caused by the ignition problem. Despite knowing about the ignition switch problem, the automobile manufacturer did not issue a vehicle recall for its 2005 model cars until this year – 2014.
The proposed personal injury class action was filed in a federal court in Texas, and claims that GM knew about the problem since 2004. This created “unreasonably dangerous” conditions for drivers. The proposed class action seeks as much as $10 billion for the lost value of the small cars GM has recalled.
During a Congressional hearing this week, GM’s Chief Executive Officer Mary Barra fielded harsh questions related to GM’s alleged “culture of cover-up,” and suggestions that the company faces criminal liability. Barra also met with families of those who died because of the ignition switch problems with their Chevy Cobalts and other small cars, and heard each of their wrongful death stories.
“While GM proposes partial fixes, additional incidents of ignition switch failures will certainly occur,” the plaintiffs said. “Injuries and fatalities are the inevitable consequence of such additional accidents.”
The models under the ignition switch vehicle recall Chevrolet Cobalts from the 2005-07 model years; 2003-07 Saturn Ions, 2006-07 Chevrolet HHRs and Pontiac Solstices; and 2007 Saturn Sky and Pontiac G5 models. The company is officially recalling 1.6 million vehicles worldwide.
GM has also issued two other large vehicle recalls: one, due to airbag deployment problems, covers 1.2 million 2008-2013 model Buick Enclaves and GMC Acadia SUVs, as well as 2009-2013 Chevrolet Traverse and the 2008-2010 Saturn Outlook; the other covers 1.5 million Chevy Malibus and Malibu Maxx’s from the 2004-2005 model years, plus some 2006, 2008 and 2009 model-year cars, Chevrolet HHR from the 2009-2010 model years (non-turbocharged only), some Cobalts from 2010, some Saturn Auras from 2008-2009, Saturn Ion from the 2004-2007 model years, Pontiac G6 from the 2005 model year, plus some cars from the 2006, 2008 and 2009 model years, and service parts installed into certain vehicles before May 31, 2010, under a previous recall, all due to power steering problems.
The Strom Law Firm Can Help with Defective Products and Vehicle Recall Cases
If you have experienced a problem with a defective product in your automobile, especially if a defective part has led to an auto accident or personal injury, and a proper vehicle recall notice has not been issued, you may be entitled to compensation. The attorneys at the Strom Law Firm can help. We can help you with complicated auto insurance claims, and make sure you receive the compensation you deserve to help you with lost income and medical bills. Our attorneys are licensed to practice in South Carolina, Georgia, and New York. We offer free, confidential consultations to discuss the facts of your case, so contact us today at (803) 252-4800.