On March 31, 2014, General Motors Co. issued a statement that the company is recalling 1.5 million vehicles across the globe because the electronic power-steering assist can potentially stop working without warning, making the cars difficult to steer. The new recall brings the number of cars included in GM recalls to 6.3 million since February 2014. The first of the GM recalls has now reached 2.6 million vehicles with alleged ignition switch defects and has prompted the automaker to name a new safety chief in an attempt to speed up the review of claims that might lead to additional recalls.
If you or a loved one have been injured or if you have questions about the latest of the GM recalls, contact a product liability attorney as soon as possible to learn more about your legal rights. Attorney Group can help you to determine if you have a valid claim, free of charge, and connect you with an affiliated product liability attorney. You may be entitled to compensation.
GM Recalls Vehicles Due to Steering Defect
The automaker says it expects costs related to the recalls to total $750 million in the first quarter – a figure that includes $300 million for the claims pertaining to the ignition switch recall.
The most recent of the GM recalls includes the following vehicles and model years:
- Pontiac G6: 2005 and some from 2006, 2008 and 2009
- Saturn Ion: 2004-2007
- Some Saturn Auras: 2004-2007
- Some Chevrolet Cobalts: 2010
- Chevrolet HHR non-turbocharged: 2009-2010
- Chevrolet Malibu Maxx: 2004-2005 and some from 2006
- Chevrolet Malibu: 2004-2005 and some from 2006, 2008 and 2009
- Service parts installed before May 31, 2010 under a prior recall
Although the GM recalls include a large number of vehicles, the automaker reports that no deaths related to the steering defect have been reported. However, GM is reportedly still investigating whether there have been any injuries or accidents stemming from the problem.
While the GM recalls take place worldwide, the automaker will replace the power steering motor and other potentially defective parts free of charge. The company’s spokesman said that vehicle owners will be notified of the latest of the GM recalls the week of April 28, 2014 and will be told when the parts for their cars will be available.
However, federal regulators have recently opened an investigation as to why the power steering and ignition switch complaints allegedly went unnoticed for more than a decade. GM allegedly received word of potential complications and defective vehicles yet failed to issue a recall.
For car owners, the news that they may or may not be driving an allegedly unsafe vehicle may be worrisome. More so, parts for the vehicles are not due to arrive for several weeks after the recall was issued. In the meantime, millions of drivers could be operating cars that could potentially cause injury or death.
Those who have been involved in a car accident due to the allegedly defective parts are advised to seek legal counsel from a product liability attorney as soon as possible. Drivers operating vehicles included in this recall may be entitled to receive financial compensation from the automaker for injuries and damages that have resulted from the vehicles. A product liability attorney can work to help patients seek compensation for lost wages, pain and suffering, medical expenses and property damages.
Have You Been Injured? Contact a Product Liability Attorney Today
If you or someone you love have been injured in a car accident due to a defective part or vehicle, you may be entitled to work with a product liability attorney in an effort to recover damages for your condition. Contact Attorney Group to receive your free, no-obligation case evaluation and to learn whether you have a valid case. We can connect you with an affiliated product liability attorney who can work to help you seek the compensation to which you may be entitled.
