Current GM Ignition Recall Information for San Diego Residents

Ignition Recall for San Diego General Motors Vehicles Including Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, & Saturn Models

The GM ignition recall now encompasses approximately 30 million vehicles worldwide in the Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, and Saturn lines. The San Diego vehicles affected by the General Motors ignition recall date from the 1997 – 2014 model years. Explore this page to learn the details of the GM ignition recall, including a thorough explanation of the defect, a complete list of vehicles included in the recall, and information about filing a General Motors ignition recall lawsuit for San Diego residents.

Attorneys handling GM injury lawsuits believe San Diego persons and family members of persons who were injured as a result of the GM ignition recall may be eligible for significant compensation. This page provides a comprehensive look at GM ignition recalls including a full list of the vehicles affected in San Diego.

San Diego Residents: Understanding the GM Ignition Recall

Due to an unsafe condition caused by a defective ignition switch, General Motors has recalled 30 million vehicles worldwide, some of which were sold in San Diego. As a result of low torque or low effort in the ignition switch cylinder, San Diego vehicles affected by the GM ignition recall can inadvertently switch from the “Run” key position to the “Accessory” or “Off” key positions while the car is in motion. This can occur with the slightest touch of the steering column or keys, or can be caused by driving over a bump in the road. When a moving vehicle is switched off, electrical power is lost, disabling the brakes, steering, and air bags. Without the ability to brake or steer, San Diego drivers can lose control of the vehicle and only luck can prevent an accident. When a collision occurs, drivers and passengers rely on air bags to mitigate the effects of the impact. When airbags fail to deploy, passengers in the vehicle may suffer severe and permanent injuries or death in San Diego.

Evidence from GM ignition recall lawsuits in the form of internal company documents and depositions has established that General Motors engineers were aware of the tendency for some small GM cars to lose power while in operation. In 2004, prior to the launch of the ’05 model years, GM learned of the problem and opened an investigation. GM workers were able to recreate the problem in test drives, and sought a solution. Various solutions were conceived, but open considering the cost of a widespread GM ignition recall, the investigation was closed without further action. According to a March 12, 2014 article in USA Today, “A tracking inquiry and solutions were considered, but the inquiry was closed, the company said, ‘after consideration of the lead time required, cost and effectiveness of each of these solutions’." Ultimately, an engineer responsible for these parts approved the design of the ignition system even though he was aware of its flaws.

The next year, in 2005, General Motors heard from many drivers about the problem, and again a redesign was proposed to improve the ignition system. The redesigned key was not produced at that time, nor was a GM ignition recall issued. In a private safety notification called a “Technical Service Bulletin”, GM notified dealerships of the tendency for certain General Motors vehicles including Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, and Saturn to lose power, disabling the airbags. Dealers were instructed only to offer information or solutions when customers complained of the problem, which was far short of the needed GM ignition recall that could have protected San Diego drivers from this dangerous defect.

GM waited ten years to tell San Diego customers about the hazardous ignition defect in millions of vehicles.

In 2006, the engineer who originally approved the design of the ignition system approved a new design which represents an improvement over the first faulty ignition system. Again, no General Motors ignition recall was announced and drivers in San Diego remained in the dark. In fact, the new, improved ignition system did not even receive a new part number, making the change difficult to track.

It was not until 2014, under new CEO Mary Barra, that the company finally announced a GM ignition recall. The company admits to at least 13 deaths resulting from loss of power to the airbags which can be traced to the GM ignition recall. The Center for Auto Safety, a consumer advocacy group, counts over 300 deaths that can be traced to the loss of power in General Motors vehicles. The company has faced aggressive questioning from federal investigators and congress regarding the long delay in issuing a GM ignition recall.

GM Ignition Recall Timeline

2002: GM ignition switch design approved despite design and safety concerns. Installed in the Saturn Ion, Chevrolet Cobalt, Pontiac G5, Chevrolet HHR, Pontiac Solstice, and Saturn Sky.

2004: GM learns of tendency for engine to shut down in the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt due to ignition switch defects.

December 2005: General Motors communicates with dealers privately via a “Technical Service Bulletin”, warning of the problem and recommending the use of a snap-on key cover to resolve consumer complaints. Customers who do not complain to the dealer are not notified of the problem; no GM ignition recall is announced.

May 2005: General Motors engineer proposes a redesign of the ignition switches, but the proposal is rejected.

July 29, 2005: 16-year-old Amber Marie Rose dies when her Chevy Cobalt loses power while she is driving at a high speed and the airbags fail to deploy.

April 2006: GM approves a redesign of the faulty ignition switches, which is a considered an improvement rather than a fix to the problem. The engineer responsible chooses not to change the part number, making the redesign difficult to track. The new part is installed in 2007 GM vehicles.

November 2007: After reviewing a collection of crash reports for Chevrolet Cobalts and Saturn Ions related to faulty ignition switches and failed airbags, the NHTSA opts not to open a further investigation. Again, no General Motors ignition recall is issued.

April 2013: A GM ignition switch lawsuit for wrongful death reveals the fact that engineers and GM executives knew of the safety flaw as early as 2004 and that the part’s design was improved in 2006.

February 2014: First GM ignition recall is issued to repair the defect in 1.30 million cars; subsequent GM ignition recall announcements bring the total to over 30 million GM cars.

April 2014: General Motors CEO testifies before a Congressional Committee regarding the delay in the GM ignition recall.

May 16, 2014: Federal government fines GM a record $35 million as a penalty for its long delay in notifying consumers of the ignition switch defect through a widespread ignition recall.

June 6, 2014: General Motors releases a 315-page report from the internal investigation the company conducted on the ignition switch defect cover-up. GM also announces the establishment of a compensation fund for victims of accidents related to the GM ignition switch recall.

Vehicles Sold in San Diego Subject to the General Motors Ignition Recall

GM ignition recalls have been issued over the course of several years and now total 30 million vehicles around the world. As of late 2021, the makes, models, and years subject to a GM ignition recall in San Diego include:

• 2005 – 2009 Buick Lacrosse
• 2006 – 2011 Buick Lucerne
• 2003 – 2011 Cadillac CTS
• 2000 – 2005 Cadillac Deville
• 2006 – 2011 Cadillac DTS
• 2004 – 2006 Cadillac SRX
• 2010 – 2014 Chevrolet Camaro
• 2005 – 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt
• 2006 – 2011 Chevrolet HHR
• 2000 – 2014 Chevrolet Impala
• 1997 – 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
• 2004 – 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Classic
• 2000 – 2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
• 1999 – 2004 Oldsmobile Alero
• 1998 – 2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue
• 2007 – 2010 Pontiac G5
• 1999 – 2005 Pontiac Grand AM
• 2004 – 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix
• 2005 – 2010 Pontiac Solstice
• 2003 – 2007 Saturn Ion
• 2007 – 2010 Saturn Sky

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GM Ignition Recall Lawsuits in San Diego

Filing a lawsuit will allow you to hold the manufacturer accountable for damage it has caused you or a loved one, while also providing real compensation for your medical expenses, suffering and loss. Contact us today for a free consultation.