Just before 2014 ended, General Motors issued yet another GM recall for vehicles related to the GM ignition switch defect.

The latest recall was for tens of thousands vehicles, in addition to the millions it has already recalled due to the GM ignition switch defect. The latest round of recalls involves 83,572 SUVs, including 2011-12 Chevrolet Silverados, Suburbans, Tahoes, Avalanches, GMC Sierras, Yukons, and Cadillac Escalades.

It could also include vehicles from 2007 to 2014 which were repaired with replacement parts, as these vehicles were compatible with the faulty component.

The alleged GM ignition switch defect is a problem that can allow GM vehicles’ ignition to switch from “drive” to “start” (sometimes called “standby” or “auxiliary”) mode spontaneously. If this happens while driving, the engine would shut down and the airbags would deactivate.

This situation has so far been linked to at least 40 fatal car accidents. In modern vehicles, there are enough on-board electronics to act as a sort of “black box” in the event of a car accident. In several cases, on-board electronics have recorded cards switching from “on” to “start” several seconds before fatal car accidents.

One issue that has come up in GM ignition switch lawsuits is that various investigators have indicated that GM officials knew about the GM ignition switch defect for at least 10 years before acting on it.

GM’s internal investigators blamed a “widespread culture of incompetence” within GM as a major factor leading to the inaction over the GM ignition switch recall.

A complication in many of the GM ignition switch lawsuits is that before 2009, General Motors was technically a different company than it is today. This legal technicality stems from the fact that GM filed for bankruptcy in 2009 and was restructured as a part of the settlement.

In many ways, “New GM” is distinct from the pre-2009 incarnation of the company, which could mean that the modern incarnation of the company is not responsible for the inaction.

However, it has been argued in court that the fact that General Motors did not disclose the information during bankruptcy hearings means that the bankruptcy preceding does not absolve “new GM” of its liability over the issue.

GM ignition switch lawsuits allege that GM’s inaction led to serious injury and death for many GM customers. These GM lawsuits typically seek to recoup the cost of medical care, lost wages, lost income potential, final expenses, and other costs allegedly stemming from the GM ignition switch recall.