The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration fined General Motors $35 million today for its failure to recall vehicles with faulty ignition switches. The defect allows the key to unintentionally slip from the “run” to “off” or “accessory” position while the vehicle is being operated. The ignition defect causes the sudden loss of engine power, braking, and steering. The air bag system is also disabled. There have been a number of serious injuries and deaths resulting from crashes linked to the faulty ignition switch. The Los Angeles Times quotes Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx as saying that the $35 million fine is too low and that Congress should increase the maximum penalty to $300 million.
The GM recall includes the following models:
- 2005-07 Chevrolet Cobalt
- 2005-07 Pontiac G5
- 2003-07 Saturn Ion
- 2003-07 Chevy HHR
- 2003-07 Pontiac Solstice
- 2003-07 Saturn Sky
- 2006-11 Chevy HHR