A GM ignition switch lawsuit alleges the company knew cars could lose power instantly because of defective wiring, but kept the information hidden for years.

A group of seven plaintiffs in this ignition switch lawsuit claim they suffered injuries and damages as a result of the faulty mechanism.

The GM ignition switch lawsuit alleges, “Since at least 2,000, GM has sold millions of vehicles throughout the United States and worldwide that have a safety defect in which the vehicle’s ignition switch can inadvertently move from the ‘run’ position to the ‘accessory’ or ‘off’ position during ordinary driving conditions, resulting in loss of power, vehicle speed control, and braking, as well as failure of the vehicle’s airbags to deploy.”

The affected vehicles were sold through at least 2012.

“GM promised that these vehicles would operate safely and reliably,” says the GM ignition switch lawsuit. “This promise turned out to be false in several material respects. In reality, GM concealed and did not fix a serious quality and safety problem plaguing its vehicles.”

GM Ignition Switch Lawsuit Points to Two Issues

The GM ignition switch lawsuit addresses two problems with the device. First of all, the ignition switch is not strong enough to hold the key in the “run” position in normal driving circumstances. The reason for the weakness is a defective “detent plunger.”

When the key is turned, a small metal pin with a spring called a detent plunger provides tension to keep the key in proper position. The detent plungers in the defective ignition switches are allegedly shorter and thinner than required to keep the switch in proper position.

The second problem with the ignition switch is that in all of the defective systems, the ignition switch is placed in a low position on the vehicles, making the keys and keychains easier for someone to hit or bump with a knee and accidently shut down the vehicle.

The GM vehicles sold in the United States that have defective ignition switches, defective power steering; defective airbags, defective seatbelts, and/or defective powertrains, include the following makes and model years:

• 2008 Pontiac Solstice
• 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
• 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
• 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt
• 2006 Chevrolet HHR
• 2007 Chevrolet HHR
• 2008 Chevrolet HHR
• 2001 Chevrolet Impala
• 2005 Chevrolet Impala
• 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix

The GM ignition switch lawsuit says that GM has acknowledged the defective switches have caused at least 13 deaths, but the company will not identify the identities of who they are counting among the 13. An independent safety regulator reports 303 recorded deaths have been associated with just the Saturn Ions and Chevrolet Cobalts.

GM allegedly failed to disclose the true nature of the defect “even after it became aware that the ignition switch defect was causing fatal accidents.”

If you have been injured or experienced a loved one’s death due to a faulty ignition switch in a GM vehicle, you could benefit from seeking legal representation.

The GM Ignition Switch Lawsuit is Case No. 1:17-cv-06854-JMF in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.