GM Ignition Switch Vehicle Recall Expands to Cover 7 Million More Cars in the US

On Monday, June 30th, beleaguered automotive manufacturer General Motors announced that it would expand its GM ignition switch vehicle recall by another 7 million cars, some of which date back as far as 1997.

GM came under fire earlier this year when it announced its first round of vehicle recalls due to a defective ignition switch, which covered cars in model years 2004 and 2005. Consumers began to ask why the manufacturer had waited 10 years to recall several hundred thousand cars, despite the fact that the company announced bankruptcy in 2009 and should have recalled those model years at that time. Then, GM expanded its ignition switch vehicle recall to cover 2.6 million cars, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which investigated the delayed vehicle recall, discovered that at least 54 injuries and 13 deaths in car accidents could be linked directly to the ignition switch problem.

A class action lawsuit has been filed against the company, and recently GM’s attorney, Kenneth Feinberg, announced rules governing compensation to victims of the delayed vehicle recall.

As the company began investigating other potential issues with its cars and trucks, GM announced multiple additional recalls, covering 20 million cars so far this year. Now, the company has announced an expansion of the ignition switch vehicle recall, which will cover another 7 million cars, some dating back even further than the initial recall, to the late 1990’s.

The cars under the latest 6 vehicle recalls cover 7.6 million cars spanning 1997 to 2014. The recall covers 8.4 million cars worldwide.

GM said that it is aware of 7 crashes, 8 injuries, and 3 deaths related to the latest GM ignition switch vehicle recall.

“We have worked aggressively to identify and address the major outstanding issues that could impact the safety of our customers,” GM CEO Mary Barra said in a statement Monday afternoon. “If any other issues come to our attention, we will act appropriately and without hesitation.”

The ignition switch vehicle recall covers 1997 to 2005 model year Chevrolet Malibus, 2000 to 2005 Chevrolet Impalas and 1999 to 2005 Pontiac Grand Ams. GM said their ignition switches could rotate out of the on position. The auto maker also said 616,179 Cadillac CTS sedans from 2013 and 2014, and 2004 through 2006 Cadillac SRX sport-utility vehicles are under vehicle recall for similar problems. The other vehicle recalls disclosed on Monday include an action to repair 188,705 Buick Rainiers, Trailblazers and Saabs for a possible electrical issue in the driver’s door, and a total of 20,134 Chevrolet Cruze, Sonic, Trax, Buick Encore and Verano models for a potential engine block issue. There are 12,008 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra models being recalled for a possible electrical problem.

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. Contact us today at (803) 252-4800.