General Motors knew of deadly ignition switch problems in 2001

[unhappycamper]

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/03/13/general-motors-knew-of-deadly-ignition-switch-problems-in-2001/



General Motors knew of deadly ignition switch problems in 2001
By Agence France-Presse
Thursday, March 13, 2014 12:28 EDT

General Motors knew of problems with its auto ignition switches, blamed for numerous crashes and 12 deaths, as early as 2001, three years before previously thought, fresh data shows.

GM’s updated chronology of the problem, sent to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration, says a report during pre-production work on the Saturn Ion in 2001 pointed to a problem.

And two years later a service technician experienced the same problem that hundreds of drivers later experienced, a stall while driving related to a heavy key ring moving the ignition position.

That raised questions about why it took the US auto giant until last month to issue a recall and why the NHTSA did not act, despite being aware of complaints that the ignition would turn off while the car was in motion.