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This R&D provides resources on the General Motors (GM) ignition switch case. The company is facing lawsuits and a federal investigation into an ignition switch defect that has been linked to more than one hundred deaths. The defect caused the ignition switch to move out of position in older vehicles, disabling brakes, steering, and airbags. GM recalled 2.6 million vehicles last year that were linked to the problem and reports are surfacing that federal investigators are likely to press criminal charges against some of the company’s employees that were allegedly aware of the problem and did little to fix it.
Breaking News: Inquiry Into G.M. Ignition Defect Said to Find Criminal Wrongdoing http://t.co/I6JTR44Zio
— The New York Times (@nytimes) May 23, 2015
Judge puts GM ignition-switch lawsuits on ice, for now http://t.co/clO9cpUrQ8
— Reuters Business (@ReutersBiz) May 27, 2015
General Motors faces huge fine over ‘criminal’ ignition defects – reports http://t.co/zxrTJuT4MZ
— The Guardian (@guardian) May 23, 2015
In February, General Motors (GM) began a recall that has grown to include 2.6 million vehicles due to the installation of a defective ignition switch The switches caused the ignition key to move from a running position to an accessory or off position while the car when moving and the sudden loss of power steering, as well as the disabling of power brakes and airbags caused at least thirteen people to lose their lives. GM has come under fire for the recall since the company was first made aware of the problem in 2001 and decided that it did not warrant taking action. There is also evidence that federal regulators were aware of the faulty ignition switches but failed to do due diligence in investigating GM. Additionally, since the company is not legally liable for accidents that occurred with its products before 2009 due to the bankruptcy filing, there are questions about whether GM was forthcoming to federal officials about the switches when it was bailed out. The incident has been dubbed “Switchgate” by some of the media and the company’s new CEO (as well as first female CEO) Mary Barra is now tasked with defending the company to Congress and restoring faith in a company that has seen its share of the American market decline over the last forty years.
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