General Motors is recalling 778,562 Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5 compact cars – models it now longer makes – in North America to correct a condition that may allow the engine and other components, including airbags, to be unintentionally turned off.
In the affected 2005 to 2007 model year vehicles, 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, GM told Reuters.
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GM was aware of five frontal impact crashes and six front seat fatalities in crashes where the front airbags did not deploy, a company spokesman told the news agency. All of the crashes occurred off road and at high speeds where the probability of serious or fatal injuries was high regardless of airbag deployment, the spokesman added.
Failure to wear seat belts and alcohol use also were factors in some cases, the spokesman said.
GM was also aware of 17 other crashes involving some type of frontal impact and non fatal injuries where airbags did not deploy, the spokesman said.
Dealers will replace the ignition switch at no charge but GM advised that until the fix is made, customers should remove non-essential items from their key rings.
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By GlobalDataThe automaker said the ignition switch torque performance may not meet company specification. The involved parts are made in Mexico, according to documents filed with the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Of the affected cars, 619,122 are in the United States, 153,310 are in Canada and 6,130 are in Mexico, the company spokesman said.
The 2005 to 2007 Cobalt and 2007 G5 are the models being recalled.
