GM Hasn't Recalled All Vehicles with Ignition Switches Linked to Issues

Jul 17, 2014 05:31 PM EDT | Jordan Ecarma

General Motors has decided not to recall around 2 million vehicles that have ignition switches identical to those connected with a massive recall last month, saying the switches won't turn off the engine in certain vehicles.

The automaker is not issuing a recall for fullsize crossover models including the Buick Enclave and Chevrolet Traverse dating back to the 2007 model year even though they are equipped with the same switch used in recalled late-model Chevrolet Camaros and Cadillac CTSs, Reuters reported in an exclusive.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is in talks with GM about the matter, the agency told Reuters without going into further detail.

GM has recalled nearly 15 million vehicles this year that were produced with three different ignition switch designs, all of which could turn off the car while driving and simultaneously disable the air bags.

Among other factors, differing types of suspension used in various models could mean that switches turn off one car and not another, according to GM spokesman Alan Adler; however, he didn't detail a clear reason why some switches are safe and others are not.

GM recalled 2.6 million small cars earlier this year, including Chevrolet Cobalt and Saturn Ion models, for ignition switches that turned off the engine while the car was in motion. The problematic switches have been connected with at least 54 crashes and 13 deaths.

Since then, GM has issued recalls for nearly 30 million vehicles altogether for a host of issues.

In late June, GM called for repairs on vehicles including the 2006-'13 Impala and the 2005-'09  Buick LaCrosse. The vehicles were equipped with another switch but had similar issues.

The third faulty ignition switch design was used to manufacture 6 million older GM vehicles, such as the 2000-'05 Chevrolet Impala and the 1997-'05 Chevrolet Malibu.

Models that are equipped with switches used in recalled vehicles include the 2005-'09 Chevrolet Uplander and Pontiac Montana as well as the 2000-'02 Chevrolet Lumina, the 1997-'99 Oldsmobile Cutlass and the 1997-'98 Oldsmobile Achieva.

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