A group of plaintiffs have filed a GM lawsuit, claiming the car company knew of a life-threatening ignition switch defect but hid the risk from drivers for 13 years. Plaintiff Betty A. filed the lawsuit on behalf herself and multiple other plaintiffs who claim they were injured as a result of vehicle accidents allegedly caused by the ignition switch flaw. This alleged GM ignition switch defect causes the key to slip into the “accessory” or “off” position at any given moment.

The GM ignition switch defect lawsuit accuses General Motors LLC of remaining silent about the issue while continuing to sell more than 15 million vehicles that had the defective part, reportedly leading to hundreds of deaths. 

GM Ignition Switch Defect

The GM ignition switch lawsuit claims that something as simple as a key chain swinging from the car keys or a bump in the road can have disastrous consequences, as this slight movement can slip the ignition switch into a different mode and disable the power steering, power brakes, and preventing air bags from deploying. 

The plaintiffs believe that GM had a responsibility to make sure drivers and passengers were not susceptible to accidents due to defective parts. The GM lawsuit states “the first priority of a car manufacturer should be to ensure that its vehicles are safe and, in particular, have safe, operable ignition systems, airbags, power-steering, power brakes, and other safety features that can prevent or minimize the threat of death or serious bodily harm in a collision.”

According to the GM ignition switch lawsuit, the car makers knew of the faulty part in 2001 but did not begin a recall until 2014. The plaintiffs allege that throughout the 13 year period, GM continued to sell defective vehicles to consumers regardless of knowing about the faulty switch.

GM Ignition Recall Timeline

According to the plaintiffs, the following is a timeline of events leading up to the eventual GM Ignition Recall:

2001 – GM is silent when it receives evidence of an ignition switch problem in Saturn Ions.

2004 – GM is silent when GM engineers report that Saturn Ions’ ignition switch could accidentally turn off if hit by the driver’s knee.

2006 – GM is silent as more than 30 consumers file complaints with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) about unexpected stopping and stalling of vehicles, including the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt.

2007 – GM is silent when an internal investigation finds that 40 percent of Cobalt accidents with no airbag deployment were a result of the ignition being in the “accessory” mode.

2008 – GM is silent when the NHTSA receives 90 complaints about unexpected stopping or stalling in now-recalled vehicles, including the 2006 Chevrolet HHR.

2009 – GM is silent as the NHTSA complaints reach 120. That same year, GM records detail the defective ignition switch.

2010 – GM is silent when the NHTSA complaint toll reaches 170, including 35 complaints involving the 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt.

2013 – GM is silent when a tech expert discovers the ignition switches in Ions and Cobalts did not meet GM’s torque specifications.

2014 – NHTSA initiates a GM ignition recall when it is reported that the GM ignition switch “may turn off” certain GM vehicles, which could affect the airbag system  operation.

GM Ignition Recall Lawsuits

This recent GM lawsuit is one of many that have been filed across the country by plaintiffs who allege the car manufacturer was reckless, negligent, and fraudulent by not disclosing the safety information.

The GM recall has prompted many to join a GM ignition recall class action lawsuit. Contact a GM ignition recall attorney to find out if you have legal claim.

The GM Lawsuit is Case No. 4:15-cv-01469, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division.