GM Recalls 971K More Vehicles Over Ignition

Expanded recall over faulty switch applies to 2008-11 models of six cars
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Mar 28, 2014 6:05 PM CDT
GM Recalls 971K More Vehicles Over Ignition
In this 2008 file photo, the Chevy Cobalt moves on the assembly line at the Lordstown Assembly Plant in Ohio.   (AP Photo/Ron Schwane, File)

General Motors is boosting by 971,000 the number of small cars being recalled worldwide for a defective ignition switch, saying cars from the model years 2008-2011 may have gotten the part as a replacement. The company previously announced the recall of 1.6 million cars, only through the 2007 model year, which were built with the faulty switch. The recall involves six cars: the Chevrolet Cobalt, Chevrolet HHR, Pontiac G5, Pontiac Solstice, Saturn Ion, and Saturn Sky. GM says it sold 95,000 faulty switches to dealers and aftermarket wholesalers for use as replacement parts. Of those, 90,000 were used to repair vehicles from the 2003-2007 model years. But 5,000 of the switches were used to fix cars from the 2008-2011 model years. GM said it doesn't know which cars got those 5,000 switches, so it needs to recall all of them.

Of the cars being added to the recall, 824,000 were sold in the US. The ignition switches can move out of the "run" position and cause the car's engine to stall. It can also knock out power steering and power brakes, making the vehicle harder to maneuver, and disable the air bags. GM has said the defect is linked to at least 12 deaths in cars from the 2003-2007 models years, though a watchdog group puts the figure much higher. The company said it isn't aware of any fatalities connected to the defect in the 2008-2011 models. (Meanwhile, the company halted the sale of some Cruze models today, though it didn't say why.)

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