GM issues additional recall of 1.5 million vechicles

General Motors has issued another vehicle recall  for an ignition switch defect that can cause the car to stall and deactivate the air bags.  On Monday, March 31st, GM recalled an additional 1.5 million vehicles, which includes the 2010 Cobalt and the 2004-2007 Saturn Ion, because the electronic power-steering assist can suddenly fail. 

To date, GM has recalled approximately 2.6 million small cars for the ignition switch defect.  GM has linked 13 deaths and more than two dozen motor vehicle accidents to problems with the ignition switch.  In 2014 , GM has recalled nearly 7 million vehicles for multiple issues, including the ignition switch defect, steering problems, flaws in side airbag wiring, and malfunctioning instrument panels.  According to CNN Money, GM estimates it will take a $750 million charge against earnings in the first quarter of 2014 to cover the cost of all repairs. 

GM’s new CEO, Mary Barra, is expected testify before Congressional committees regarding the major recall this week. 

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For a timeline of recall events created by ABC News, see: http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/major-events-gms-recall-26m-small-cars-23142695?page=2.

To view the aforementioned CNN Money article, see: http://money.cnn.com/2014/04/01/news/companies/gm-recalls/.

Picture from http://www.nbc33tv.com/news/national-news/gm-recalls-426000-sedans. 

Posted by Andrew Wheeler