Texas drivers should be aware of one automaker’s attempt to recall hundreds of thousands of automobiles due to a potentially deadly issue. Several people have already died in accidents reportedly caused by the flaw.
Car manufacturer General Motors has instituted a recall of all 2005-07 Chevy Cobalt and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles due to a faulty part in the ignition switch assembly. This recall affects more than 778,000 vehicles, and one industry expert said that it could have serious repercussions for GM. To date, reports indicate that six people have died due to the issue with the ignition in at least 22 accidents. Typically, a recall does not involve fatalities or accidents, but they do in some cases such as Toyota’s accelerator issues in 2010.
The issue in the GM cars has to do with jarring of the ignition switch, which knocks the switch from the normal “run” position. This can cause the car to stall and can disable airbags or power steering. According to reports, even a heavy set of keys can cause the ignition to switch off. Due to how old the cars are, it could be a challenge to locate the current owners. This is because the cars could very easily be in a second or third owners’ hands at the time of the recall. Because these subsequent owners do not usually register their ownership with the automaker, tracking them down for notification may be a demanding task.
A fatal car crash that results from a manufacturing defect such as this could impose liability on the manufacturer. A lawyer who has experience in wrongful death cases could file a lawsuit to recover compensation for any damages caused by the negligence of the automaker.
Source: USA Today, “6 killed in GM cars with faulty ignition switches“, James R. Healey, February 14, 2014
