GM infotainment

GM Ignition Switch Lawsuit

By: Nicole Halavi

General Motors is a multinational corporation and has been America’s largest automobile manufacturer for years. It was founded in 1908 and has now grown to be one of the world’s largest multinational corporations specializing in the manufacturing, marketing, and distribution of vehicles across the globe. Despite its reputable position in the auto market, the automaker is facing several lawsuits concerning multiple issues regarding a defective ignition switch in various models.

If your GM vehicle has exhibited serious repeated issues, CCA is here to help. Please feel free to call our experts today for a free consultation: (833) LEMON-FIRM.

What is the Ignition Switch Defect in the GM Vehicles that Resulted in a Lawsuit against the Corporation?

According to numerous GM owners, they encountered issues with respect to the proper operation of their vehicle’s ignition switch. The ignition switch activates the vehicle’s electric system and starts the car when the key is turned. Most ignition switches are equipped with four different settings: Lock, Accessory, On, and Start. Normally, the switch will remain in the “On” setting for as long as the car is running. However, with a defective switch, the car will spontaneously shift into the “Accessory” mode. The main problem arises from the fact that the vehicle’s engine, airbags, and anti-lock braking system are disabled when the car is in “Accessory” mode. Clearly, this creates a major safety problem for a driver on the road.

While this issue is becoming more prevalent in certain GM models, there are claims that GM has been aware of it since 2001. In 2005, GM dodged a recall and, instead, issued a service bulletin to GM dealers. Apparently, they also withheld important information from federal authorities to avoid issuing the recall.

Ultimately, the recall was delayed for 13 years, and finally, in 2014, GM issued a recall and paid a $35 million fine to the Department of Transportation and a $900 million fine to the Department of Justice for concealing a potentially life-threatening defect.

GM has been fighting several ignition switch lawsuits for almost two decades now. The three main types of lawsuit filed against GM are:• Personal Injury
• Wrongful Death
• Class-Action
Several crash victims and their families have filed multiple suits against the corporation for injuries and wrongful death caused by the faulty ignition switch. Despite the issues stirred up and the lawsuits filed, only 10% of the people who raised their issues received some form of compensation.

What Can I Do if My GM Vehicle is Subject to Defective Ignition Switch Issues?

If your GM vehicle has been exhibiting any of the problems mentioned above, such as a defect in the ignition switch, CCA’s lawyers are here to help – and at no cost to you! CCA is equipped with a team of lawyers who are trained to handle complicated lemon law cases and get you the relief that you deserve.

If your vehicle has been exhibiting any defects or issues, please contact our experts for a free consultation at (833) LEMON-FIRM.

About the Author
Sepehr Daghighian is a partner with CCA that is well-versed in all aspects of lemon-law litigation. A 2005 graduate of Loyola Law School, Mr. Daghighian has been practicing litigation throughout the state of California for over 13-years. In this time, Mr. Daghighian has advocated on behalf of California consumers in hundreds of lemon law cases throughout our great state. Mr. Daghighian has also successfully tried numerous such cases to verdict in both Federal and State Court.