GM has recalled 1.6 million vehicles due to a serious product defect. The following are models being recalled by General Motors:
2005-2007 Pontiac G5 Sold only in Canada
2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt Sold only in Canada
2005-2007 Pontiac Pursuit Sold only in Canada
2003-2007 Saturn Ion
2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR
2006-2007 Pontiac Solstice
2007 Saturn Sky
If you own one of these vehicles, GM asks that you remove all the keys from your key chain and take the vehicle to the nearest dealer immediately. These vehicles have been recalled due to a malfunction defect with the ignition switch, causing the key to move or switch into the “off” mode. When this happens, the engine and electrical systems shut down and air bags fail to deploy. GM has said that heavy key chains or jarring may cause the switches to move out of an “on” position. There have been several deaths related to this recall. GM may have known of this issue with the ignition switch as far back as 10 years ago, yet they did nothing.
An analysis reports over 260 complaints were made to NHTSA over the past 11 years.
In Wisconsin, three young girls were involved in a serious crash when the Cobalt vehicle they were driving slammed into a tree in 2006. The auto crash occurred after the ignition switch in the Cobalt they were driving switched off, locking up the steering. Lawsuits claim that General Motors knew of this ignition defect in 2004, but never recalled these vehicles.
In 2009 a TV station in Raleigh, North Carolina reported that a 2007 HHR stalled on a railroad track. The driver quickly restarted her vehicle and was able to move her vehicle from the tracks, but stated it was a problem that kept recurring. The driver stated that she had taken her vehicle to the dealership for repair five times and the problem was not resolved.
There have been reports to NHTSA by two different owners of the HHR models that air bags did not deploy in a front-impact crash.
This recall affects an estimated 1,367,146. vehicles sold in the United States.
If you, or someone you know, have been affected by this General Motors recall and have questions, call an experienced product recall or product defect attorney at 501.374.4446 or contact us online for a free consultation.
Most importantly, if you are driving one of these GM recall vehicles, please take it to the nearest GM dealer as soon as possible. Remove the key from your key chain before driving it. If you are unsure if you are affected by this recall, call your GM dealer and ask if your vehicle is part of this GM products defect recall.