GM facing 35M fine!

[Perrysburg_Dodg]

Do to GM's slow response they are looking at not only fines from the Feds but big lawsuits from the families of the 13 people killed in the crashes. Seems like they are trying to blame to owners in this.

GM previously said the weight on the key ring, road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the "run" position, turning off the engine and most of the car's electrical components.

NHTSA urged owners to follow GM's recommendation to "use only the ignition key with nothing else on the key ring" when operating the vehicle and seek the repair as soon as replacement parts become available. GM said the initial replacement parts will be available in early April.

So what bean counter figured it was cost effective to ignore the problem? Looks like GM's new CEO is going to have her hands full.

Link to the story

Don

[Engineer9860]

Terryallan wrote:

Engineer9860 wrote:
How many people use these cars for towing a trailer?

Point???
However, They will tow a pup you know. And many use them to tow small trailers used for landscaping

garry owen wrote:

Engineer9860 wrote:
How many people use these cars for towing a trailer?

good point. not really towing related

[Perrysburg_Dodg]

.

[Perrysburg_Dodg]

Well the Bean Counter was mine in my very first post.

Mark, GM has a long history of refusing to fix a problem. And yes that is because WHEN they were the BIG Dog they had more money then brains. A GM COE even went as far as to say "What is good for GM, is good for the Country". That may have been true, but it was best said in the privacy of the Executive Boardroom, not in public.

As for this recall, GM played the same BS they did wwwaaayyy back in the 80's with their pick-ups! Bean Counters decided that the cost of moving fuel tanks inside the frame rails was greater then the costs of paying out any claims even if a death was involved.

From the link "In light of GM's bigger recall, U.S. Sen. Edward Markey, a Democrat from Massachusetts, on Wednesday called on NHTSA to require automakers to provide detailed information to the agency when they become aware of accidents involving deaths. He said GM was aware of fatal accidents in Maryland and Wisconsin in 2005 and 2006 involving safety issues and notified dealers, but did not recall the vehicles involved." . When the lawyers get hold of this information it will cost GM more then they have to settle.

Don

[lbrjet]

The part was made by Delphi. Not in China.

I am glad to see GM doing the right thing here. Obviously it took getting out from under govt control first though which is the scary part.

[bucky]

Couple of points here. GM is not the largest USA manufacturer. The largest is an "import". IIRC, these exact same lock cylinders were an issue already for failing internally so that if on you couldn't turn it off, and if off you couldn't turn it on. Nobody makes their own parts anymore, so the likelihood exists that more than one brand will be impacted by a failure. Air bags come to mind recently. And finally, I see our resident drum beater has made his appearance. I won't mention the brand, but a fire hazard recall is ongoing with a certain very popular vehicle. They are restricting dealers so that only one part can be ordered every 14 days. I have orders backed up until Christmas already. Whoever made the comment about the beancounters is right.

[mich800]

MARK VANDERBENT wrote:
Yes when you are the number ONE USA auto manufacturer, you will be under the microscope by critics !!

Just because McDonald sells the most...never mind.

🙂

[B_Sjulestad]

Ignition switches were probably made in China

[Hannibal]

carringb wrote:

Hannibal wrote:
Never been a fan of 12 lb key rings but still...

The more I drive the Prius, the more I like the keyless operation.

Having had to deal with my share of customer's keyless ignition problems, I'll pass. When something breaks, it can be pretty spendy. Did a Nissan 370Z which had a failed column lock solenoid, which prevented the car from starting. IIRC the column lock assembly cost me almost $900 and the total cost to the customer was over $1200.

More common however it the cost of replacing the fobs. They are more secure, and therefore more expensive than your standard keyless entry fob.

I can't disagree with you however, I've had 100% trouble free service from my fobs over the past couple of decades whenever they came to be. The jury will be out for a while on the Prius. It's programmed to tell me when the fob battery needs to be replaced. I'm thinking a little proactive to better my odds.

[Hannibal]

timmac wrote:
Well GM did profit millions of dollars off us tax payers on the bail out so any fine will still be paid by us..

Realizing of course GM is not the man behind the curtain but instead hundreds of thousands of employees directly and indirectly affected by the success or failure of GM. I wish them quick recovery from this management blunder.

UAW assemblers had no say in the use of a substandard ignition switch nor in the decision to recall them. That's like blaming the kids for the crappy shaver you bought. Were the cars affected even built by union labor?

[MARK_VANDERBENT]

You can all say what you want. Majority says they like GM products, thus putting them on top for sales month after month. Do not want to see anyone die from accident. But chances are the company you like will or has had issues thus causing safety concern. FACT of man made products.

[Terryallan]

Miles Away wrote:
Did anyone else out there notice that all these negative comments are coming from non GM owners? What a bunch of cry babies. Where were they when their favorite vehicle manfacture was having issues?

Thing is. there are no non GM owners. We all own part of it. So we can say what we want.
Me personally. I still want my company car.

[Lessmore]

timmac wrote:
Well GM did profit millions of dollars off us tax payers on the bail out so any fine will still be paid by us..

Who do you think pays for everything ? It's the consumer...you, me and all the rest of the Joe Schmoes.

Toyota and Ford...up to now paid the highest fines according to the article. The GM fine maybe more.

All these fines are passed off to the consumer by the companies in the form of higher prices for their product.

All costs by all companies are paid for those who buy the products...the consumer.

Simple economics.

[Perrysburg_Dodg]

Miles Away wrote:
Did anyone else out there notice that all these negative comments are coming from non GM owners? What a bunch of cry babies. Where were they when their favorite vehicle manfacture was having issues?

Relly? The two biggest GM fan boys couldn't wait to post about the Ram recall for tie rods. But hay that OK though right?

Don

[MARK_VANDERBENT]

Yes when you are the number ONE USA auto manufacturer, you will be under the microscope by critics !!

[garry_owen]

Engineer9860 wrote:
How many people use these cars for towing a trailer?

good point. not really towing related