GM has begun shipping out the parts need to repair faulty ignition switches that were part of a massive recall. They have shipped thousands of kits consisting of ignition switches, ignition cylinders and key sets for the affected vehicles.
The recall has been a hot news item for weeks, with CEO Mary Barra testifying before Congress and several longtime GM employees being suspended over how the whole problem was handled internally.
This is only the first batch of replacement parts to be sent, as GM has said that it will take until sometime this Fall to have enough parts for all of the vehicles affected in the recall. They’ve sent letters to 1.4 million owners of 2003-2007 model year vehicles in the recall last week to notify them that they should contact dealers for repairs. Those repairs will take about 90 minutes to complete.
Owners of 2008-2011 models subject to the recall will be receiving a letter sometime next month to notify them of the problem. They’ll then be getting a second letter to let them know as soon as parts are available and they can schedule an appointment for the needed repairs.
Affected vehicles include:
â—¾2003-2007 Saturn Ion
â—¾2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt
â—¾2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice
â—¾2007-2010 Pontiac G5
â—¾2007-2010 Saturn Sky
â—¾2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR
The recall stems from a problem with the ignition switch that may cause it to accidentally turn the car off and has been the cause of 31 accidents and 13 deaths. While waiting for replacement parts, owners are being instructed use only their key in the ignition, rather than a loaded down key ring. Even a key fob should be removed so there is nothing extra hanging from the key when it’s in the ignition.
Nicole Wakelin fell in love with cars as a teenager when she got to go for a ride in a Ferrari. It was red and it was fast and that was all that mattered. Game over. She considers things a bit more carefully now, but still has a weakness for fast, beautiful cars. Nicole also writes for NerdApproved and GeekMom.
