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

[Miles_Away]

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?

[Perrysburg_Dodg]

tgr2975 wrote:
Perhaps the UAW can pay the fine with all the equity they were given as part of the takeover.

What tne hell are you talking about?
Firstly the UAW has nothing to do with when or if a recall is issued.
Secondly they will be paying part of it just like every share holder.

So whats your problem with the UAW?

Don

[Terryallan]

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

[Engineer9860]

How many people use these cars for towing a trailer?

[nremtp143]

If Mercedes hadn't gone through this in the early 90's, they could deny a problem. Automakers have known since then to make the springs stronger. Looks like they forgot something along the way.

[carringb]

tgr2975 wrote:
Perhaps the UAW can pay the fine with all the equity they were given as part of the takeover.

UAW has done a lot of things I don't agree with, however this problem and following inaction has nothing to do with them. That's falls squarely on the bean counter's shoulders.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMVkUgQR9NQ

[tgr2975]

Perhaps the UAW can pay the fine with all the equity they were given as part of the takeover.

[tgr2975]

.

[carringb]

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.

[We_Cant_Wait]

Know fact that fat/heavy key ring cause excess wear and tear on the ignition switch.

[spoon059]

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

Fixed that for ya...

[mowermech]

Seems to me I remember reading about this problem with steering column mounted ignition switches about the time they took the switches out of the dashboard and put them in the steering column. But back then, the problem was that a heavy key ring could cause the steering to lock. Since so many vehicles then did NOT have power steering, power brakes, or air bags, that wasn't as much of a problem, I guess.

[autorot8]

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.

Agree. I have not had a conventional key start since 2006. (Toyota, Subaru, Kia all had the push button start). The new Ram 2500 will have it also.

[timmac]

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

[Hannibal]

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

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