It. Never. Ends. GM is recalling another 7.6 million vehicles for six new ignition-related safety defects in models ranging from 1997 to 2014. And according to the automaker, these recalled cars are responsible for seven crashes resulting in eight injuries and three deaths.
According to GM:
The fatal crashes occurred in older model full-size sedans being recalled for inadvertent ignition key rotation. There is no conclusive evidence that the defect condition caused those crashes.
With this latest recall, CEO Mary Barra issued another mea culpa , saying, "Our customers deserve more than we delivered in these vehicles. That has hardened my resolve to set a new industry standard for vehicle safety, quality and excellence."
Barra said at the start of June that it was conducting an ongoing investigation of all outstanding safety issues and would resolve all issues by the end of the month – today.
GM is anticipating an additional charge of $500 million in the second quarter related to recall repairs. That's in addition to the $700 million so far, bringing the total tally up to $1.2 billion. GM has increased the cash set aside for the recalls from $2 billion to $2.5. These six new recalls bring the total number to 54 campaigns this year and over 27 million vehicles affected worldwide. That breaks the previous record, held by Ford, which involved 21 million vehicles recalled in 1981 for 1970-79 models that could roll away.
The total known fatalities to date is now 16.