Report Says GM Was Quietly Fixing Cars For Ignition Switches That Allowed Keys To Be Removed While Running

More than seven years ago, General Motors fixed two design flaws that allowed the key in some Chevrolet Cobalts and Saturn Ions to come out of the ignition while the engine was on, but the automaker didn’t notify existing owners about the problem until an April 2014 recall, according to a newly released document GM filed with federal safety regulators.

The problem is separate from the ignition-switch defect that GM has linked to 13 deaths and 54 crashes, although both issues involve the same vehicles and were the subject of internal engineering inquiries in 2004 and 2005.

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TheSteve - 6/25/2014 7:12:40 PM

+2 Boost

Harley-Davidson considers this a "feature." You put in the key, turn it, and remove it. From this point on, you turn a dial on your fuel tank to the "on" or "off" position for the ignition, without needing a key. I speculate the reason is to make the bike look more appealing, as a dangling key detracts from the look. And besides, it can scratch your pricey multi-layered custom paint fuel tank.

atc98092 - 6/26/2014 6:59:29 AM

+1 Boost

Back in the 50-60s, it was a feature of GM cars as well. I could take the key out of my '63 Impala SS, and I believe my '55 would come out as well. My '71 Olds and '70 Buick I don't think they did.

Agent009 - 6/26/2014 11:49:37 AM

+1 Boost

I distinctly remember several GM cars that could do this. Never saw this happen in any other car.

85bmw745i - 6/26/2014 4:40:25 PM

+1 Boost

I can't tell you how many GM cars from the 70's and 80's and early 90's I could do this with. back in 89 I could take the key out of my dads 78 firebird and 75 vette with the engine still running.