Is GM Guilty Of Misbehaviour?

There has been much talk across news media in recent weeks about General Motors and their knowledge, since 2001 of a fatal problem with the ignition switch in a number of vehicles they produce.

This issue relates to the recent recall of over 1.5 million vehicles with faulty ignition key switches.

An article in yesterday's St Louis Post Dispatch (see source below) highlighted GM's knowledge about the problem since 2001.

Summarized from the Post Dispatch, "In that environment, basic components could take low priority, such as the ignition switch that GM sourced for Ions, Cobalts and other models. The right to manufacture the switch had been won by Dublin, Ireland-based Eaton Corp., according to documents from a wrongful-death lawsuit filed against GM. Delphi bought Eaton’s switch division in 2001.

Inside that switch, which cost as little as $2 to $5 to produce, was a spring loose enough to allow the ignition to switch out of the “on” position when bumped, a risk that would grow if the key was weighted by a heavy ring, GM has said. The turned key would then shut off the engine and power steering and disable the air bags.

The fatal flaw in the ignition switch, which GM now says its engineers discovered in 2001 while developing the Ion, has spurred the automaker’s biggest crisis since its 2009 bankruptcy and bailout."

As a locksmith, I choose to not work on automobiles at this time for various reasons. This revelation from GM is further disturbing to the locksmith industry I suggest, because there are many automotive locksmiths who are called upon to make keys for GM vehicles. In making a key for a GM vehicle that has one of the faulty ignition switches, if the customer has an issue, post locksmith service, usually they will claim warranty from the locksmith and most reputable legitimate locksmiths will honor their labor to the customer...

The Ignition Lock Debacle Is Not Really GM's Fault - More Insurance Companies

It is clear to all concerned by now, that the GM Ignition Switch debacle is one of the most sensational news stories of the year.

Locksmiths who work on automobiles have known of these issues for many years and have informed powers that be, in the recent past.

The reports fell on deaf ears, as usual and only since the reports of deaths have authorities bothered to press the issues with manufacturers.

I do find it interesting that it seems the automobile industry appears to have come full circle, with regard to ignition systems.

When the first automobiles were rolling off the production lines, in the early 20th century, all vehicles had the ignition lock switch mounted to the dash, usually toward the center of the instrument panel. This was significantly easier for people to control and away from the possibility of being knocked by a knee or leg. Many ignition tumbler switches were pin tumbler operating systems and not wafer/disc tumblers. Properties inside the cylinder prevented the accidental knocking and turning off the keyswitch.

It was the advent of the insurance companies that brought about a major change

GM Ignition Key Fault - Not So Fast Says Texas Jury

A couple of years ago we reported about the GM Ignition Switch fiasco that was taking place across the country, in the wake of repeated mechanical problems suggested to be directly and indirectly caused by faulty ignition switches.

To read the articles we wrote previously click here

In a new article in USAToday, a Texas jury has sided with GM in a closely watched court case where the car maker was sued over a supposedly faulty ignition switch.

The particular case (see article in source below) was about an accident that occurred where the occupant lost control of the vehicle after hitting the key switch with their knee.

The jury found that case investigators determined through extensive research, that the driver was driving recklessly at the time of the accident.

This does bring into question the legitimacy of other claims of impropriety by the car manufacturer and does suggest that they are not at fault like previously thought.

(source...)

GM Ignition Switch Recall Part

Here is a picture of the part that fails in the ignition switches of GM vehicles, as listed in their recent recall of millions of vehicles.

GM dealers mechanical workshops across the country are preparing to be inundated with the backlog of repairs to rectify this serious flaw that has resulted in accidents and deaths on American roads.


The issue with the $0.57 part is that when it fails, often due to the weight of keys on a customers key ring, it can switch off the vehicle electrical system and computer, while the vehicle is in motion, affecting airbag safety, brake systems, fuel injection and other connected vehicle electrical systems.

Many automotive locksmiths around the world, continue to repair/replace faulty ignition locks across a wide variety of vehicles, not just GM, due to wear caused by customers having too many keys and other attachments on their vehicle key chain.

The expected deluge upon GM and Chevrolet dealerships will likely send customers nutty for a while, especially considering other vehicles (not in the recall) still require to be serviced, maintained and repaired also.

We choose to not offer automotive locksmith services (apart from unlocking vehicles) at this time. Not because we are unable to perform the skilled part of the job, but because we feel that many of the current service technicians in our area are undervaluing their jobs (They dont charge enough).

(source...)

Settlement In Ignition Lock Class Action Lawsuit - $120 Million In Damages Awarded

We have talked about the Ignition Lock Debacle, a few times over the last few years and the subject has sparked much discussion across industry and wider forums online, offline and through the media.

An article (in the source below) we were recently alerted to, explains that last Friday a settlement was reached between GM and 49 states attorneys-general (Arizona was the only state to not join the action).

The class-action suit brought by nearly all states was filed in reaction to GM's 2014 recall of nearly 9 million vehicles that had trouble with their ignition switches.

The lawsuit alleged that GM and high-level employees knew about the problem as early as 2004, but waited many years to recall it's vehicles, all the while marketing their vehicles as safe and reliable.

The $120 Miliion dollar settlement, apparently ends this case.

(source...)

According to the article, GM agreed to several terms:

• Not represent that a motor vehicle is “safe” unless they have complied with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety standards applicable to the motor vehicle at issue.
• Not represent that certified pre-owned vehicles that GM advertises are safe, have been repaired for safety issues, or have been subject to rigorous inspection, unless such vehicles are not subject to any open recalls relating to safety or have been repaired pursuant to such a recall.
• Instruct its dealers that all applicable recall repairs must be completed before any GM motor vehicle sold in the U.S. and included in a recall is eligible for certification and, if there is a recall on any certified pre-owned vehicle sold in the U.S., the required repair must be completed before the vehicle is delivered to a customer.