Families Put Human Face on Massive GM Recall

Too often we read and hear about huge auto recalls and have almost become immune to the news. But this massive GM recall reminds us that they are not just numbers-there are real human beings being affected by this.
Laura Christian's daughter was 16 years old in 2005 when the Chevy Cobalt she was driving hit a tree. The airbag didn't deploy, and Amber Marie Rose was killed.

Family members who lost loved ones in those crashes, including Christian, came to the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday to turn a spotlight on the human side of GM's deadly mistake. They are holding a press conference in advance of a House subcommittee hearing on the recall on what high-ranking GM officials knew and when they knew it.

You can read all the details of the GM recall here in the USA Today article:Families Put Human Face on Massive GM Recall. 

GM's Warning to Drivers

The automaker announced that the defective ignition switches have caused the engine to turn off and disable the airbags. The failure is believed to be caused when weight on the ignition key, road conditions or some event such as rough pavement causes the ignition switch to move out of the "run" position, turning off the engine and most of the car's electrical components mid-drive, with sometimes catastrophic results.

GM further said that even after the ignition switch is repaired, owners should not attach anything to their key rings other than the key and fob. A GM spokesman said there is no danger of the problem reoccurring after the repair but he also said that no ignition switch is safe from being moved from the "run" position if the key chains are too heavy or bulky. Owners of recalled vehicles in some cases will be offered offer loaner cars and a $500 cash allowance through April 30, to buy a 2013, 2014 or 2015 model-year vehicle. GM is not offering to buy back recalled vehicles. Beginning in April, dealers will install new ignition switches, beginning next month.

I once had an Audi A6 that I had purchased used-living in Colorado, I loved the all wheel drive and it it was fun to drive for the first week! one morning as I was getting up on the Interstate it just stopped the entire electrical system shut down, very scary! I had it in the garage for a week and they couldn't trace the problem so back to the dealer it went.

i can only imagine what would have happened up on the highway with all those other cars around me-I was very fortunate and hopefully no more people will suffer at the hands of GM.

You can read more about General Motors Faulty Ignition Recall. 

The General Motors/GM Recall

Bloomberg has a pretty good primer on the massive GM recall-let's take a closer look at the facts:

General Motors Co. announced in February it was recalling 1.6 million vehicles because of a defect in their ignition systems linked to at least 12 deaths. Claims over deaths or economic losses occurring before July 2009 were blocked by a bankruptcy judge in approving the sale of assets from the former GM to the current auto maker. Lawyers alerted by the recall are now examining pre-bankruptcy deaths and claims to get the ban lifted. Some have used online postings to acquire clients with banned claims.
By court order, the new GM can't be held responsible for any product-related liabilities that arose before July 10, 2009. How convenient-The bankruptcy judge set up a mediation process in 2010. The claimants had to be willing to accept a reduced amount acceptable to the old GM to start negotiating.

By the way, you and I bailed these folks out so they could continue their evil ways! One wonders if there is a way to get around the bankruptcy ban? Here's the scoop:

 Challenging GM’s liability immunity would require asking the judge who oversaw the historic U.S.-backed bankruptcy to reconsider its ban on claims. Harvey Miller of Weil Gotshal & Manges LLP, the automaker’s bankruptcy lawyer, said the time to revoke court orders dating from GM’s bankruptcy “has long passed.” He said the company’s creditors diligently examined its liabilities and potential exposure for possible torts. “No pertinent information was withheld from the court during the GM Chapter 11 case,” he said.

Sure Harvey, you're very credible! Well, here come lawyers-I kinda hope they bring GM to their knees;)

You can read the whole story here: The GM Recall: Which Claims Are Barred, What the Lawyers Are Trying.