GM Recall Class Action Lawsuit

A defect in nearly 6 million General Motors vehicles could cause the engine and electrical system to shut down, and disable the air bags. For a decade, GM and government safety regulators reportedly failed to address this defect, which has been implicated in the deaths of over 300 people in crashes where the air bags did not deploy.In the recalled vehicles, the ignition switch can turn off the engine and shut off the car’s electrical system on its own. This can occur if the ignition key is inadvertently hit or jarred by direct contact or when driving over rough terrain. GM has also admitted that if the driver has a heavy key chain attached to the ignition key, the weight of the ring can pull the key into the “off” position.

GM Ignition Switch Recall Settlement

In 2014 a victim compensation plan was announced that sets a $1 million starting point for each death in accidents caused by a defective ignition switch in GM cars. The plan envisions compensation for a much greater number of victims and families whose loved ones died than the 13 deaths that GM has publicly linked to the defect. There is no cap on the amount of money GM has agreed to spend on victims’ payments, and the company will not seek to assert protection from liability involving incidents before its bankruptcy in 2009.

General Motors Cars Recalled for Faulty Ignition Switches

To date, GM has recalled the following cars as vehicles involved in GM ignition switch defect recall:

• Buick Lacrosse (model years 2005-2009)
• Buick Lucerne (model years 2006-2011)
• Buick Regal LS & GS (model years 2004-2005)
• Cadillac Deville (model years 2000-2005)
• Cadillac CTS (model years 2003-2014)
• Cadillac DTS (model years 2004-2011)
• Cadillac SRX (model years 2004-2006)
• Chevrolet Camaro (model years 2010-2014)
• Chevrolet Cobalt (model years 2005-2010)
• Chevrolet HHR (model years 2006-2011)
• Chevrolet Impala (model years 2000-2014)
• Chevrolet Malibu (model years 1997-2005)
• Chevrolet Monte Carlo (model years 2000-2008)
• Daewoo G2X (model years 2007-2009)
• Oldsmobile Alero (model years 1999-2004)
• Oldsmobile Intrigue (model years 1998-2002)
• Opel/Vauxhall GT (model years 2007-2010)
• Pontiac G4 (model years 2005-2006)
• Pontiac G5 (model years 2007-2010)
• Pontiac Grand Am (model years 1999-2005)
• Pontiac Grand Prix (model years 2004-2008)
• Pontiac Pursuit (model years 2005-2006)
• Pontiac Solstice (model years 2006-2010)
• Saturn Ion (model years 2003-2007)
• Saturn Sky (model years 2007-2010)

If you or a loved on has owned any of the above vehicles and suspect you were injured as a result of the GM Ignition Switch Defect, contact a Vehicle Defect Lawyer immediately.

GM’s Failure to Recall the Affected Vehicles

For years, GM tracked crashes in which the air bags in its cars did not deploy but did not issue a recall and fix the defect with its ignition switches. In addition, GM was aware of several incidents where it was reported that ignition switch turned to the “Accessory” or “Off” position .

In October 2005, GM issued Technical Service Bulletin (“TSB”) alerting service technicians to the inadvertent turning of the key cylinder resulting in the loss of the car’s electrical system. Customers who brought in their vehicle complaining about the issue got a re-designed key head which prevented the key ring from moving up and down in the slot, and the smaller design kept the keys from hanging as low as they did in the past. However, GM declined to institute a full recall.

In 2007, NHTSA crash investigators met with GM discuss their airbags, and informed GM of a frontal and fatal crash involving a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt in which the air bags did not deploy. Data retrieved from the vehicle’s diagnostic system indicated that the car’s ignition was in the “accessory” position. GM began investigating and tracking similar crashes and by the end of 2007, it discovered 10 frontal collisions in which the airbag did not deploy.

For the next six years, GM continued to get complaints and continued to investigate frontal crashes in which the airbags did not deploy. In late 2013, after numerous assessments, GM made the decision to recall the Cobalt and G5 Chevrolet vehicles.

Vehicle Defect Lawyers

Vehicle manufacturers and distributors have a legal duty to produce cars that are safe, and promptly correct any known safety defects. Damages that can be obtained as a result of personal injuries caused by the GM ignition defect vary depending on what State you live in. However, some general categories of damages that are available in many States include:

• Past and future physical pain and suffering, mental anguish and loss of enjoyment of life;
• Past and future medical expenses;
• Past and future loss of earnings and earning capacity; and
• Punitive damages in cases of egregious misconduct.

If the driver or occupant was killed, surviving families members may file a wrongful death lawsuit.

GM Ignition Defect Law Firm

If you or a loved one has suffered an injury that you suspect was caused by the GM ignition defect, then you may have legal recourse against GM. Contact a GM Ignition Switch Attorney today. Mr. Mendelsohn will review your injury claim for free, and represent you on a contingent fee basis, which means you don’t have to pay any attorney fees unless you recover on your claim. We’ll fight to ensure that you and your family are fully compensated.

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