The recalls keep rolling in at GM. The carmaker recently announced it will change or replace the keys for nearly 3.4 million cars because their weight may cause the ignition switch to turn off.
Earlier this week, GM said that the switches could rotate out of “run” mode if the key chain has excess weight and the car “experiences some jarring event,” such as striking a pothole. This can cause the driver to lose control – suddenly turning off the engines and disabling power steering and air bags.
The problem is similar to defects in other earlier recalls linked to 13 deaths to date.
This most recent recall affects seven cars with model years ranging from 2000 to 2014:
Buick Lacrosse, 2005-2009
Chevrolet Impala, 2006-2014
Cadillac Deville, 2000-2005
Cadillac DTS, 2004-2011
Buick Lucerne, 2006-2011
Buick Regal LS & GS, 2004-2005
Chevy Monte Carlo, 2006-2008
CBS News Report on Vehicle Recall
This is just the latest in a series of recalls by the beleaguered carmaker, with GM chief executive, Mary Barra acknowledging that the company was remiss in catching flawed ignition switches.
“Something went wrong with our process in this instance, and terrible things happened,” Barra told employees in a video message posted online in March. CEO says ‘terrible things happened’. In May, GM announced the recall of 2.6 million vehicles globally, raising the number of vehicles it had recalled to almost 15.4 million. Another 2.6 million cars recalled.
This latest recall has generated more questions about GM’s commitment to safety, with Barra testifying for the second time before a House panel on June 18. GM’s Barra testifies
In the meantime, GM says dealers will make repairs to rectify the latest problem – adding an insert to keys to change the hole from a slot to a circle. However, until the repairs are made, owners should remove everything from their key chains.
