For years, General Motors (GM) has been the target of consumer ire over faulty ignition switches. First identified in 2003 and linked to at least 13 deaths, GM finally recalled 2.6 million vehicles in February 2017 for this problem. While not a single death has been linked to the switch itself, the recall has caused significant inconvenience and emissions problems for drivers. In this blog post, we will explore how many cars GM has recalled for this issue and what you can do if you’re affected.
What is a Recall?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has announced that General Motors will be recalling certain 2017-2018 Chevrolet Malibu and 2018 Cadillac CT6 models. The affected vehicles are being recalled because the ignition switch may unexpectedly turn off while the car is in motion, potentially leading to a loss of vehicle control.GM has received reports of six crashes and two injuries as a result of this defect. In total, 1,500 cars will be recalled in the United States. The recall is expected to begin on November 15th and last through December 15th.If your car is affected by this recall and you experience an issue with the ignition switch, you should take it to your local GM dealership for inspection and repairs. If you have any questions or concerns about this recall, please contact NHTSA at 1-888-327-4236 or go to www.safercar.gov For more information on recalls, please visit our blog at www.caradvice.com/blog/car-recalls/
How Many Cars Were Recalled?
According to the NHTSA, General Motors has issued a total of 1,932 recalls for defective ignition switches. This number includes not only cars made by GM, but also cars made by its subsidiaries. Almost half of the recalls (448) were issued in 2010 alone. The recall list spans over a period of 10 years and includes vehicles from model years 2005-2015.
The causes of the defects have been attributed to either poor design or manufacturing issues with the switches. In many cases, when drivers attempted to start their cars in cold weather conditions, the switches would not respond properly and caused engine knock. If left uncontrolled, this could lead to a loss of engine power and potentially even a crash.
In order to address these issues, General Motors is offering affected drivers a variety of repairs and replacements. In some cases, such as for 2006-2007 models built at Lordstown, Ohio plant GM has offered free installation of replacement parts. Other options include free repairs carried out by certified dealerships or an optional 6-month extension on remaining warranty coverage.
What are the Issues with the Recalled Cars?
There are several issues with the cars that were recalled. Some drivers have reported that the car will not start, while others have reported that the car has been randomly shutting off. A number of drivers have also said that they feel like their car is unsafe to drive because of the issue. GM has yet to provide a fix for these cars, and as a result, many drivers are not happy with their vehicles.
What do GM Plans to Do About It?
With over a million cars recalled for issues with the ignition switches, General Motors is trying to come up with a solution. The company announced that it will be installing a new switch in all 2019 and 2020 Chevrolet Volts and Buicks. The old switch could easily slip out of place, causing the car to suddenly start and potentially injure someone in the process. GM is also recalling 1.5 million 2019 Cadillac CTS and CT6 sedans for similar issues.
The new switch has been tested and found to be more reliable than the old one. GM says that there have been no reports of accidents or injuries related to this problem so far, but they want to make sure that doesn’t change in the future. The company is also working on a software update that will warn drivers if their car is affected by this recall.
Conclusion
GM has recalled more than 2.5 million cars in the United States for their ignition switches, and the company is urging owners to take their cars into a dealer for a free replacement. This recall is one of the largest by GM, and it raises some important questions. What are the dangers of an ignition switch defect? How widespread is this problem? And what should you do if your car is affected? Our article will answer all these questions and more.