In the past year, there have been a number of car recalls. Many of these recalls have involved defective ignition switches, which have caused drivers to lose control of their cars and sometimes even die. This blog post will give you an update on the number of GM cars that have been recalled for this issue, as well as some tips on how to avoid getting caught up in another recall.
What is a GM car recall?
The General Motors (GM) has issued a massive recall for cars with ignition switches that can unexpectedly turn off while driving. The switch can cause the car to stop, potentially resulting in a crash. GM has received reports of at least 13 deaths and dozens of serious injuries caused by the defect.
The recall affects more than 2 million cars in North America, including model-years 2013-15 Chevrolet Malibu, Cobalt, Impala and Saturn Outlook; 2014 Buick LaCrosse; 2015 Cadillac CTS and ATS; and 2016 Chevrolet Camaro. The affected models were manufactured between December 2011 and February 2017.
If your car is affected by the GM recall, your best course of action is to take it to a GM dealer for an inspection and replacement of the ignition switch. If you do not have an appointment at a GM dealer, you may be able to schedule one through the manufacturer’s website or call customer service.
When were the first GM recalls made public?
The first General Motors recalls were made public on September 1, 2014. At the time, the company had already recalled nearly 2 million cars and trucks for defective ignition switches.
What are the types of GM cars being recalled?
In the last few months, GM has issued a number of recalls for cars with potentially faulty ignition switches. The problem is that when the switch fails, it can cause the car to suddenly stop. In some cases, this could lead to a fatal accident.
So far, GM has issued nine recalls for cars with defective ignition switches. The first recall was for 1.6 million vehicles back in February. Since then, they have also recalled 2.2 million more vehicles in June and July.
The main issue seems to be with older models of Chevy Cobalts and Saturn Ions. GM says that these cars may experience problems if the switch fails while the car is being driven. This could lead to a fatal accident if nobody notices the problem until it’s too late.
How was the ignition switch in these cars compromised?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has announced that about 1.4 million cars are being recalled for a possible ignition switch defect. This means that a driver’s ability to start the car can be impaired if their key is bumped, pulled, or hit with something else while it is in the off position.
The affected models include certain Ford, GMC and Chrysler vehicles from 2005-2012. Owners of these cars will need to take their vehicles to an authorized dealer for a free replacement key and installation. The NHTSA says that there have been no reports of accidents or injuries related to this issue.
Why is this such a big deal?
The recall of 1.6 million cars for a defective ignition switch is a huge deal because it raises the possibility that drivers could have been injured or killed. It’s hard to overstate how big this issue is.
In 2013, there were more than 16 million registered cars in the U.S., and according to the NHTSA, about 20% of those cars are older models that still use an ignition switch with a vulnerability to break and spark. That means that about 4 million drivers are potentially at risk. The NHTSA says that even a small spark from the faulty switch can set off the engine, potentially causing serious injury or death.
What steps are being taken to address this issue?
The General Motors recall of 2.6 million cars for faulty ignition switches has been receiving a lot of attention lately. The reason for the recall is that when the switch is depressed, it can short-circuit the car’s electrical system, potentially causing a fire.
So far, GM has received 14 reports of fires due to this problem. However, they believe that there could be many more cases that haven’t been reported yet. In order to mitigate the risk of this happening in the future, GM is taking several steps to address the issue. These include:
1) Replacing all ignition switches on affected cars
2) Making it easier for customers to report problems with their cars
3) Training employees on how to handle repairs and replacements
Conclusion
Vehicles affected by the recent recall of GM cars include 2010-2013 Chevrolet Cobalt, Pontiac G5, Saturn Aura, and 2008-2012 GMC Envoy SUVs. If your car is one of those models, you should take immediate action to have the ignition switch replaced. The recall affects about 1 in 50,000 vehicles sold in the U.S., so it’s not likely that you’re driving one of these vehicles and don’t know it. However, if your vehicle is included in the recall and you’ve had an issue with the ignition switch before, now might be a good time to get it fixed.