GM Recalls Another 3.2 Million Cars For Ignition Switch Problems
On Monday, the manufacturer announced the recall of 3.16 million vehicles for ignition switch problems, as well as 165,770 other vehicles for a host of issues, The Detroit News reports.
The latest ignition recall involves model year 2000-2014 cars with ignition switches that may inadvertently move out of the run position if the key is carrying extra weight and experiences a jarring event such as hitting a pothole or crossing railroad tracks.
GM reports there have been eight crashes and six injuries related to the issue.
Only one vehicle involved in the latest recall is still in production; the Chevrolet Impala, which is sold to daily rental fleets as the Impala Limited.
Vehicle models being recalled include:
- 2005-2009 Buick Lacrosse
- 2006-2014 Chevrolet Impala
- 2000-2005 Cadillac Deville
- 2004-2011 Cadillac DTS
- 2006-2011 Buick Lucerne
- 2004-2005 Buick Regal LS & GS MY
- 2006-2008 Chevrolet Monty Carlo
Officials with GM say the use of a key with a hole, rather than a slot, will address concerns of unintended key rotation. Dealers will add an insert to the ignition key to close the slot, leaving just enough space for the key ring. If the key cover is worn, GM will replace the keys.
GM will begin reworking the keys in the next few weeks, until then owners of affected vehicles are urged to remove additional weight from their key chains.
If the issue sounds familiar, that’s because it is. In February, GM recalled 2.6 million vehicles because extra weight on key rings, or a jarring event, could cause the ignition to switch off, which in turn could disable the airbags and cause the vehicle to crash. That issue resulted in at least 13 deaths, although new reports estimate there could be as many as 74 fatalities.
Since the February recall, General Motors has faced increased scrutiny, including a number of inquests into how long the company kew about the deadly issue before warning drivers. In May, the company was slapped with a $35 million fine for waiting 13 years to acknowledge the defect it knew about before the first recalled vehicles hit the road.
In addition to the latest ignition issue, GM recalled another 165,700 vehicles Monday for an array of problems.
An automatic transmission issue in 68,887 model year 2013-2014 Cadillac ATS and 21,863 2014 Cadillac CTS sedans could prevent drivers from shifting in or out of gear.
The possibility of the loss of power steering related to the improper attachment of power steering hose clamps resulted in 587,192 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 2500/3500 HD and 2015 GMC Sierra 2500/3500 GMC Sierra HD vehicles.
A possible gasket leak in 16,932 2011 Cadillac CTS sedans could cause the rollover sensor toe deploy roof rail air bags.
A unbelted child and door trim could block the passenger seat air bag vent in the event of a deployment in 712 model year 2014 Chevrolet Corvettes.
And finally, 184 model year 2014-15 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra full-size pickups with vinyl floors and accessory all-weather floor mats were recalled because the mats can slide under the drivers feet. Owners of the vehicles are advised to take the mats to their dealer for a refund.
Additionally, GM said it is taking a charge of $700 million for second quarter recalls, bringing the company’s recall total to $2 billion for the year. In all, GM has issued 44 recalls this year totaling more than 20 million affected vehicles worldwide – 17.7 million of which are in the United States.
GM recalls 3.2 million vehicles for ignition switch problems [Detroit News]
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