Over the last several years, millions of GM cars have been recalled due to defective ignition switches on the vehicles that have led to accidents.

The vehicles affected with the GM ignition switch defect ranged from small economy cars to performance vehicles, SUVs and luxury vehicles, and everything in between.

The recalls affected a number of different model years for each make and model car included in the list of affected GM vehicles.

The GM ignition switch defect causes vehicles to turn off when the ignition is inadvertently bumped by either the keys in the ignition or a driver’s knee. The vehicle will suddenly turn off once the switch is bumped, and the effect could be catastrophic.

More than 100 deaths were reported in associated with the GM ignition switch defect.

Consumers who have gone on to take legal action against GM have alleged that the manufacturer new about the defect as early as 2001 but failed to warn consumers for 13 years until the recall was finally issued in 2014.

A number of class action and individual lawsuits have been initiated as a result of the GM ignition switch defect.

Other GM Defects

In addition to the GM ignition switch defect, other defects have been noted by GM and subsequent recalls were issued.

The GM side-impact airbag defect prompted two recalls affecting millions of vehicles. This defect was related to the wiring harness that was located inside seat-mounted side airbags.

The defect caused the airbags to essentially become pinched, and thus prevented the airbags from deploying when needed. This defect affected more than 1.2 million vehicles

Another airbag defect recall was issued, but this time it was for a frontal airbags software defect. This airbag defect affected even more vehicles, totaling 4.3 million. A software glitch prevented airbags from deploying in certain GM vehicles during a crash.

A power steering defect affected more than 1.3 million vehicles. This defect caused the vehicle’s power steering to suddenly go out, sometimes resulting in vehicle collisions.

Several models of Buicks, Cadillacs, Chevys, Oldsmobiles, Pontiacs and Saturns were affected as well as one GMC SUV. Nearly 30 vehicles in total were included in the various recalls of GM vehicles.

Filing a Lawsuit over Accidents Related to GM Ignition Switch Defect

If you owned an eligible vehicle with a known GM ignition switch defect and model years 2000 and later and became hospitalized as a result of a car accident stemming from the GM ignition switch defect, you may be eligible to take legal action against the manufacturer.

Potential claimants who were injured but not hospitalized should be able to present some type of evidence to support that the GM ignition switch defect caused the accident, including, but not limited to an insurance claim or police report to help substantiate their case.

To see if you may qualify to file a GM ignition switch defect lawsuit, you may consult with a lawyer and a free consultation to go over the details of your case to see if you are eligible to take further action.