GM Ignition Switch Complaints Date Back 17 Years

Jason Siu
by Jason Siu

Could General Motors have avoided a massive recall by listening to its customers 17 years ago?

GM owners have been complaining about defective ignition switches since 1997, years before the Chevrolet Cobalt was even on the market. This week, the company expanded its recall even more with another 8.4 million vehicles being recalled. According to a Reuters review of a consumer complaints database, GM dealers were told of faulty switches almost as soon as the Malibu was available on the market. The 1997 Chevrolet Malibu was included in the recent recall.

SEE ALSO: GM Recalls Another 8.4 Million Vehicles

One of the earliest complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration noted that in April 1997, a New Jersey woman had been “stranded seven times” with her 1997 Malibu because it could not be started. Other early complaints included keys that either stuck in the ignition or could be pulled out while the vehicle was running.

[Source: Automotive News]

Discuss this story at our General Motors forum

Jason Siu
Jason Siu

Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.

More by Jason Siu

Comments
Join the conversation
2 of 3 comments
  • Chavitz Chavitz on Jul 05, 2014

    It's totally A Scam, that is every previous GM CEOs passed the bomb of this scandal to the next CEO, and when it comes to this woman, they starts to unload this mess and "say" to public that : please be nice this lady even though we did heinous crime to public

  • Alex Kozovski Alex Kozovski on Jul 06, 2014

    Government Motors... thanks Obama....

Next