GM Recalls Chevy Cobalts & Pontiac Vehicles
General Motors (GM) recalled 780,000 Chevrolet Cobalts and select Pontiac vehicles in order to repair an ignition switch problem. The issue the vehicles were having was that the ignition switch problem allowed the key to unintentionally slip from the proper position when the vehicle hit a bump, or if the keychain was too heavy.
The result of this initial recall on February 13, 2014 was that engines would shut down or lose power of steering, brakes, and safety systems including airbags and anti-lock brakes.
GM expanded this recall on February 25, 2014 to including additional Chevy, Pontiac, and Saturn cars numbering in the hundreds of thousands. This expansion of the GM recall resulted in a total number of U.S. vehicles affected being nearly 1.4 million.
GM Recalled Issues Causes Crashes
The recall explained above has been linked to 31 crashes in which the airbag did not properly deploy. These crashes then resulted in the death of 12 motorists.
According to a report released by Beasley Allen, there were depositions taken in 2004 during a civil lawsuit against General Motors that explained how the company knew of the issue several years prior to the 2014 recall. It was apparently known that the Chevy Cobalt had an problem with the ignition switch in that it could shut off the engine while motorists were driving.
GM has recalled 1.62 million vehicles worldwide, 1.37 million of which are in the U.S., all with the ignition switch defect. The vehicles affected by this recall include the following:
- 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
- 2007 Pontiac G5
- 2003-2007 Saturn Ion
- 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR
- 2006-2007 Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky
GM Recall Probe
It was announced on Monday that the probe is being run by Tony Valukas, chairman of the law firm, Jenner & Block, and by GM’s General Counsel, Michael Millikin. Valukas is known for leading the government’s investigation into Lehman, and additional members from the law team at King & Spalding are also taking part in the probe.
Those involved in the recall probe is meant to signify that GM is serious about this investigation into the recall that has caused the death of 12 motorists.
Injured in a Recalled GM Vehicle
Our advice to any motorists who has a vehicle affected by this recall is to take the proper steps to safety. We also advise anyone who has suffered injury at the hands of these recalled vehicles to contact a products liability claims attorney as soon as possible. This is a very serious issue and they need to seek legal guidance immediately to ensure that the proper steps are taken toward receiving compensation for their injury.
To speak to one of the Ohio product liability claims attorneys at our law office about a recalled vehicle that has caused injury, call 800.637.8170. Our legal team would be happy to answer any questions that you have related to this recall, any resulting accidents or injuries, and the legal options that those motorists affected have. Call today for the legal guidance you need!
