Posted on 02/25/2014 9:03:11 PM PST by BenLurkin
The recall now affects 1.37 million vehicles built between 2003 and 2007.
In addition to 778,000 Chevrolet Cobalts and Pontiac G5 cars recalled earlier this month, GM is also recalling Saturn Ions, Chevrolet HHRs, Pontiac Solstices and Saturn Sky models for the same issue.
GM says the ignition on the vehicles recalled can accidentally switch out of the “Run” position while the car is being driven. When that happens, the car’s engine shuts off, rendering power brakes, power steering and airbags not operational.
Originally, GM said there had been six fatalities among front-seat passengers as a result of this problem. There have been 31 frontal crashes involving vehicles with the problem.
...
In the meantime, GM is advising owners to avoid having anything other than the car keys hanging on their key chain. The added weight of additional objects can make it more likely the key will turn accidentally.
(Excerpt) Read more at fox6now.com ...
Wow! This one is serious.
Let me guess - they cut a nickel in cost for a part that will now cost them $100m in recall and litigation expenses, not to mention the badwill that comes from having this kind of scary defect associated with these car models.
Great. I’m driving one of those Saturn Ions.
I suspect this problem may be at least partly caused by idiots who hang all kinds of junk on their keyrings. I have seen keys pulled out of ignitions just from the weight of the junk hanging from them.
I imagine some small group of people who the decision to cover up this problem made a nice bonus on the money saved at the time....
I would think that after 100 years basic things like this would be solved.
FTA: GM indicates that its engineers did not originally think the problem was safety related because steering and brakes, albeit without power assistance, would still work with the engine off. Also, the engine could be restarted after shifting the car to Neutral or Park.
“Also, the engine could be restarted after shifting the car to Neutral or Park.”
Now that’s the ticket, try putting the mother into PARK while it’s moving. Not likely to be successful, but if by chance the parking pawl in the transmission does engage, welcome to rear wheel lockup ( at least until the transmission scatters due to the load), and with it, complete loss of control unless you are Mario Andretti.
I could hang a 5 pound weight from the keychain of my Honda and this would not happen .
Yeah, but then you couldn’t drive up a gentle slope. ;>)
Oh , forgot the ;-)
That’s what I was wondering, why, after 100 years of cars starting (most of the time), are people employed designing newer, fancier ignition switches?
Can’t they find one of the hundreds that have already been built and are rock solid to do the job for them?
The newest cars don’t have an ignition switch at all. Just a button to press to start or stop the engine. Entirely electronic paired with an electronic key. You never take the “key” out of your pocket to unlock or drive the car. You don’t even have to touch the key to do all of the above.
Is Government Motors exempt from being sued?
Let me guess - they cut a nickel in cost for a part that will now cost them $100m in recall and litigation expenses, not to mention the badwill that comes from having this kind of scary defect associated with these car models.
The people that bought these cars could afford to buy them over cars that cost $500 less, and which would have been even less safe.
obamamotors design!
Great. The car turns into an unguided bomb... with passengers.
Actually, it did happen to my nephew in his Honda. He was on his way to his first job, 2500 miles from home. His Honda stopped along side the highway. It cost him $1000 (which he had to borrow) to repair it so he could get to his job. He had just the normal things a college kid has on his key ring.
No Big Deal
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