GM ignition switch issue causing 109-124 deaths

 The fault involved a defective ignition switch installed in several GM models (notably the Chevy Cobalt, Saturn Ion, Pontiac G5/Solstice, and Chevy HHR) between roughly 2003–2007. Here's what happened:

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🧩 What the problem was

The switch could unexpectedly move from the “Run” to “Accessory” or “Off” position if jostled by heavy keychains or vibrations, causing the engine to shut off while driving. That disabled:

Power steering

Power brakes

Airbags—since airbags needed electrical power to deploy  

GM engineers knew as early as 2001 (Saturn Ion prototype) and by 2004 (production vehicles) that the switch failed torque specifications, yet chose not to fix it, citing cost and inconvenience .

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⚠️ Delayed recall and misclassification

For years, GM classified it as a “customer convenience” issue—not a safety defect, which delayed urgent action .

The first recalls occurred only in February 2014, after nearly a decade of ignoring internal warnings .

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💔 Deaths, injuries, and cover-up findings

Fatalities linked: GM initially acknowledged 13 deaths, but compensation hearings and investigations later connected between 100–124 deaths, and hundreds of injuries .

An independent analysis even suggested up to 303 deaths may be linked .

GM faced harsh criticism for its bureaucratic “nod and pass-the-buck” culture, with internal warnings suppressed and ignored for years .

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🛠️ Fallout and consequences

Massive recalls: ~30 million vehicles globally were recalled by September 2015 .

Internal investigation: GM hired attorney Anton Valukas, who cited extreme negligence and organizational failures—but stopped short of calling it outright criminal cover-up .

Legal/financial penalties:

GM faced a deferred prosecution, paying a record $900 million under a wire‑fraud charge .

The NHTSA fined GM $35 million for delayed notification .

Compensation fund overseen by Kenneth Feinberg paid victims, with at least $1 million per death and many serious injury payouts .

GM fired 15 employees, including engineers and lawyers involved .

GM's new CEO Mary Barra publicly apologized in Congress for the “unacceptable” decade‑long delay, and committed to sweeping safety reforms .