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Massive GM recall oddity: 1.4 million cars still unfixed

Michael James

The 2007 Pontiac G5 is among the 1.4 million GM cars being recalled.

The 10-year delay in the massive General Motors ignition switch recall is being investigated by Congress and the Justice Department. But the story has a second oddity. None of the cars among the five brands recalled have been repaired.

The cars involved include: Chevrolet Cobalt and HHR, Saturn Sky and Ion and Pontiac G5 and Solstice.

The 2007 Pontiac G5 is among the 1.4 million GM cars being recalled.
The 2007 Pontiac G5 is among the 1.4 million GM cars being recalled.

General Motors said it sent letters to the owners of cars from model years 2005 through 2007 involved in the problem. But owners haven’t been asked to schedule repairs because there aren’t enough parts available to fix all of the 1.4 million vehicles affected.

General Motors has reported it will have the parts and will begin repairs in April. The repair will take an estimated one hour and at no cost the vehicle owner.

At least 13 deaths have been attributed to the faulty ignition switches.

GM acknowledges it’s known about the problem since many of the cars involved were introduced but hasn’t said why a recall wasn’t ordered until recently.

The faulty switch issue occurs when the ignition key can easily move from “Run” position to the “Accessory” or “Off” locations when the car is being driven.

In the recall letter, GM advises owners to have nothing attached to the car key.  Added weight hanging from the key increases chances the ignition key can be bumped out of position.

Article Last Updated: April 22, 2014.

1 thought on “Massive GM recall oddity: 1.4 million cars still unfixed”

  1. Why hang safety entirely on an ignition switch?
    GM and other car companies should delay the time between the ignition switch shut off and the cutoff of power to the steering, the brakes, the airbags and the entire electronic monitoring system.
    Moreover, if the car is moving, power cutoff time should be delayed further to give the driver a chance to safely pull off the road — or turn the ignition back on.
    Electric powered systems are safe and the way of the future.
    And they don’t need to be shut off as soon as the ignition goes off.
    What’s the hurry, anyway?

    Reply

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