Senator urges GM to tell owners of recalled cars not to drive them
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(Reuters) — General Motors Co. should promptly warn consumers not to drive GM cars recalled because of faulty ignition switches that can unexpectedly turn off engines and air bags as the vehicles are running, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said Thursday.
Sen. Blumenthal, who serves on a Senate panel that has scheduled a GM oversight hearing on Wednesday, said in a letter to GM Chief Executive Officer Mary Barra: "I urge you to issue a stronger warning to drivers of recalled vehicles of the acknowledged risk they are facing, including a warning not to drive recalled cars. This warning should be issued as soon as possible — in advance of your testimony before the Subcommittee."
GM has said that the cars are safe to drive if there is only a key inserted into the ignition, with no other keys or fobs attached that could affect the operation of the ignition switch.
Ms. Barra, in a video to customers posted on YouTube, said, "GM engineers have done extensive analysis to make sure if you only have the key, or the key on only the ring, that the vehicle is safe to drive."
Sen. Blumenthal, along with Sen. Edward Markey, D-Mass., has introduced legislation designed to improve the automobile industry's reporting of safety problems.
It would require manufacturers to provide more information about fatal accidents and would give the public better access to such reports.
Sen. Blumenthal, like some consumer groups and other lawmakers, also urged GM on Thursday to compensate drivers and families of victims of accidents related to the defective ignition switches.
Senate and House of Representatives committees next week kick off public hearings on GM's handling of product recalls for 1.6 million vehicles.
The recalls came last month even though GM first noticed potential problems with its ignition switches in 2001 and subsequently heard repeated warnings from consumers.
The defective switches have been linked to 12 deaths.
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Senators offer bill improving automakers' reporting of safety problems
(Reuters) — As General Motors Co. comes under scrutiny by Congress for its handling of a long-running problem with ignition switches linked to 12 deaths, two senators on Tuesday offered legislation aimed at improving the auto industry's reporting of safety problems.
