Second Repair Added To Ignition Switch Recall, Cost Now Spikes To $1.3B
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The spring in the ignition switch was the culprit that led to a number of General Motors vehicles stalling, resulting in accidents without the deployment of the air bag. As the repairs have begun to be made earlier this week, General Motors has told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that it will also be adding ignition lock cylinders to the safety recall.
There have been complaints that keys could be removed from ignitions even when not set in Park. The automaker notes that “searches of GM and government databases found one rollaway in a parking lot that resulted in a crash and one injury claim.” There have been no fatalities.
In addition to replacing the ignition lock cylinders, General Motors will cut and, if needed, reprogram new keys.
General Motors also announced today that despite the $1.3 billion cost of the recall (up from the $750 million that was announced on March 31st), it expects its first quarter financial results to be in the black. To note, Toyota just finished settling $1.3 billion in settlements stemming from their accelerator pedal recall a few years ago. It’s costing GM the same amount just to replace parts.
The cars covered are:
- 2003-2007 Saturn Ion
- 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt
- 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice
- 2007-2010 Pontiac G5
- 2007-2010 Saturn Sky
- 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR
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Do you guys think this is really a safety issue? From what I have read this issue is quite common throughout the industry on old cars.
If it is, this could force all OEMs to recall a whole bunch of vehicles. And how far bsck do you go? My 62 vette with manual trans was designed this way. I can take the key out while it is running.
They all did this till 1968.
I have owned and driven many old cars that did this.
What I find interesting is this is one issue I have never seen a complaint on the hhr forum.
But now that I think about this the key coming out is a problem.
In these cars the steering will lock when the key is removed.
It may do this with the car running .
The removing of the key activates the lock and with a 3/4 to 1 turn will lock the wheel.
This is rare but with the other issues GM is not taking any Chances.
The ignition needs to turn to full off for the wheel to lock. It still turns in midway accessory position.
Now my HHR will not lock if it is turned to full off till the key is removed.
Once the key is removed If I turn the wheel 3/4 or more of a turn it will lock.
At least on 08 is how that works.
The old saying, ‘we don’t have money to do it right, but we always have money to fix it’, comes to mind.
Back then they really did not have the money.
Key could be taken out with engine running in Brazilian 1973 model Chevrolet Opala. 1980 version of the Opala had a lever on the steering wheel that had to acted upon to allow changing from “accessory” position to “off” position.
AFAIK, newer models has this “press key and cylinder against spring” feature to allow changing from “accessory” to “off”.
Anyway, how soft is a too soft spring ? A pen drive is an acceptable load ?
Is there a real reasonable weight limit, or the driver should learn the limits of his car ?