![]() ![]() McCaskill said the Senate Commerce Committee’s consumer protection subcommittee will examine the responses of GM and NHTSA to the discovery of faulty ignition switches. NHTSA previously opened an investigation into whether GM reacted swiftly enough in its recall. authorities examining the recall, which GM announced in February. attorney in Manhattan adds to a growing list of U.S. The federal probe by the FBI and the U.S. The New York office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation is involved in the probe, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Wednesday. On Tuesday, a source said federal prosecutors have opened a probe of GM, examining whether the company is criminally liable for failing to properly disclose problems with some of its vehicles that led to the recall. The company also said it is not buying back affected vehicles if owners ask for that, but is offering a $500 special cash allowance, through April 30, to buy a 2013, 2014 or 2015 model-year vehicle. GM said in the NHTSA document on Wednesday that it is providing rental or loaner vehicles in some cases. The failure is believed to be caused when weight on the ignition key, road conditions or some other jarring event causes the ignition switch to move out of the “run” position, turning off the engine and most of the car’s electrical components mid-drive, with sometimes catastrophic results. GM previously had said there were 13 deaths linked to the faulty ignition switch, but revised that to 12 on Tuesday because it had double-counted one incident. The problems in the affected vehicles in some instances allowed the engine and other components, including front airbags, to turn off while the vehicle was traveling at high speed. ![]() The Detroit automaker also said in the filing that it will offer loaner cars in some cases and a $500 cash allowance to unhappy owners affected by the recall. Asked why GM made this recommendation, he added that no ignition switch is safe from being moved from the “run” position if the key chains are too heavy or bulky.Īutomotive research firm said while there is anecdotal evidence owners should avoid too much weight on their key rings, there is no industry standard language on that subject. That was in response to a question about whether customers can put their heavy key ring back on after the repair is completed.Ī GM spokesman said after the repair is completed, there is no danger of the problem reoccurring. “We recommend that customers only utilize the key, key ring and key fob (if equipped) that came with the vehicle,” GM said in the document filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That remains largely the case after the fix as well, according to a document filed with U.S. GM has been telling owners affected by the recall that until the repairs are made only the key should be on the key ring. “We need to find out who dropped ball and put millions of Americans at risk.” ![]() “We have to get to the bottom of this,” said McCaskill, a Missouri Democrat. GM became aware of the problem a decade ago. Most of the affected cars were sold in the United States. Senator Claire McCaskill said a Senate subcommittee plans to hold a hearing in early April on GM’s recall last month of more than 1.6 million vehicles with the faulty ignition switches which have been linked to 12 deaths. ![]() REUTERS/Rebecca CookĪlso on Wednesday, U.S. The General Motors world headquarters is seen in downtown Detroit, Michigan May 31, 2009. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |