Year of the Recall
Against all odds, American automaker General Motors recovered from its Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2009. Reorganized - and, some would argue, revitalized - GM forged on. The company even forged new ground, naming Mary Barra the first female chief executive officer of an American car manufacturer. But all the while, GM was forging faulty ignition switches which could shut the engine off, disabling airbags.
Unless you’ve managed to avoid all news outlets all summer long, you have probably heard about the fatalities (estimated at 13), the crashes (estimated at 31), the lawsuits (at least two class action), and the massive recall that has affected several million GM vehicles, according to CNN. A recent USA Today article indicates the troubles still haven’t stopped for GM.
The road ahead
GM had to answer a Congressional inquiry, and will have to battle lawsuits – possibly for the next several years. GM owners also have to take some steps to secure their future.
- Watch your mailbox. GM is mailing (or has mailed) out letters to the address on state vehicle registration information.
- Check the Internet. Not every owner or affected vehicle can be found by regular mail. GM has set up a website where you can check your individual vehicle identification number (VIN).
- Clear your key ring. GM is saying that, until your vehicle has been repaired, to remove everything from your vehicle key, and to put only the bare ignition key in the switch.
- Contact a GM dealership for repairs. Even if you drive a Pontiac or Saturn, a GM, Buick, Chevrolet or Cadillac dealership can perform the repairs, which are expected to take about 90 minutes.
This is not a comprehensive list of instructions for handling a recalled GM vehicle. Visit the GM Recall Center with any questions.
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