GM, Safety Agency Face Congress Over Recalls

05:03

April 01, 2014

The Associated Press

The new CEO for General Motors is headed to Capitol Hill today to answer questions about the defect in some of the automaker's small cars that's linked to 13 deaths.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration chief David Friedman also is expected to testify that GM had information connecting defective ignition switches to the non-deployment of air bags as early as 2001, but didn't share it until last month.

Michigan Radio reporter Tracy Samilton joins Here & Now's Jeremy Hobson with the latest.

General Motors Co. said Monday it is recalling 1.5 million vehicles worldwide because the electronic power-steering assist can suddenly stop working, making them harder to steer.

The new recall brings to 6.3 million the number of vehicles GM has recalled since February. The initial recall - now at 2.6 million small cars for an ignition switch defect - prompted the automaker to name a new safety chief and speed up the review of cases that might lead to recalls.

Included in the new recall are:

Chevrolet Malibu from the 2004-2005 model years, plus some 2006, 2008 and 2009 model-year cars.
Chevrolet Malibu Maxx from the 2004-2005 model years, plus some 2006 model-year cars.
Chevrolet HHR from the 2009-2010 model years (non-turbocharged only).
Some Chevrolet Cobalts from the 2010 model year.
Some Saturn Auras from the 2008-2009 model years.
Saturn Ion from the 2004-2007 model years.
Pontiac G6 from the 2005 model year, plus some cars from the 2006, 2008 and 2009 model years.
Service parts installed into certain vehicles before May 31, 2010, under a previous recall

Guest

Tracy Samilton, reporter for Michigan Radio, a Here & Now contributor station. She tweets @PubRadioTracy.

This segment aired on April 1, 2014.