A series of defects that resulted in recalls of dozens of GM models has put the company in the crosshairs of a new GM defects lawsuit.

Dozens of GM vehicles from as far back as the 2000 model year have been subject to recalls for a number of different defects.

Some of these defects put drivers, passengers and other motorists in danger of injury or death.

Two different problems with GM airbags have resulted in two different recalls.

In 2014, the company had to recall 1.2 million vehicles to fix a defect in their side impact airbags. A wiring harness inside these airbags was at risk for getting pinched, which would then prevent the airbags from deploying.

The second airbag recall was issued this year. Software in over 4.3 million recalled vehicles worldwide from model years 2014 to 2017 could apparently prevent the vehicles’ front airbags from deploying.

A third recall was issued in 2014 over a supposed problem with some vehicles’ power steering systems. These power steering mechanisms could potentially fail without warning, leaving the driver unable to steer the vehicle.

GM Defects Lawsuit Seeks Compensation for Faulty Ignition

A group of plaintiffs from multiple states has joined in a GM defects lawsuit over an ignition switch defect that could potentially cause the engine to shut off suddenly even while the vehicle is in motion.

The defect at issue causes the car’s ignition switch to change from the “run” position to the “accessory/off” position. It doesn’t take much to trigger this defect, according to the plaintiffs. The swaying of a keychain or a bump in the road could cause the switch to fail, they say.

The plaintiffs say GM itself has admitted to the sensitive nature of this defect. They quote the company’s Safety Recall Notice as encouraging drivers to detach any extra items, like a heavy keyring with other keys, from the car’s key while it is in the ignition switch.

Even that solution might not prevent triggering of the defect: the company also says “rough road conditions or other jarring impact related events” might cause the ignition switch to fail.

According to this GM defects lawsuit, the company has known about the defective ignition switch since years before its well-publicized bankruptcy and restructuring in 2009.

In their complaint, the plaintiffs make considerable effort to hold “New GM” responsible for decisions that were made years ago on “Old GM’s” watch.

“Considering both the time that Old GM discovered the ignition switch defect and the time that New GM learned about it, 13 years have passed. New GM belatedly admits that there was a death for every year of their collective silence. But, a recent report suggests that the death toll is exponentially higher than New GM admits, with the number actually in the hundreds,” the plaintiffs allege.

Products liability attorneys are now interested in speaking to persons who have a GM vehicle from model year 2000 or later and who were either hospitalized for injuries related to the defect or who have evidence, such as a police report or insurance claim, that links a car malfunction to the defect.

The GM Defects Lawsuit is Case No. 1:16-cv-08229 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas.