GM Recall : The Switch From Hell - the fifth estate

It was a deadly defect in an ignition switch that led to the recall of millions of GM cars like the Cobalt and the Ion and the confirmed deaths of almost 30 drivers, with close to 200 more being investigated. Bob McKeown investigates what and when did GM and Transport Canada know about the problem -- and reveals startlingly new information about fatal crashes in Canada.
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[@strawbandit173]

My grandma had a cobalt back in 2006 the car would always stall on her on the highway and when she took it to the Chevy dealership they would Always say the same thing “We can not duplicate your problem” after that my grandma got a corolla and then 8 years later she gets a letter in the mail saying their was a recall and if she bought another Chevy she would get her money back and she always told me “Why would I buy a Chevy after I was almost killed in one.” It was ridiculous GM didn’t care about this problem.

[@La_Ru-yg8es]

The 16-Bit Guy Thank God she survived her Cobalt!

[@SanchoSanto]

Toyotas have a long standing issue with their seats. The issue has killed many people but Toyota refuses to make any changes. Look it up.

[@rcdogmanduh4440]

That's the problem with Ford, Chevy! Honda, Toyota have problems with their products but it's how they handle them that's the difference.

[@slowgynman1234.]

Low-End Computing she needed to take care of her vehicle

[@kevinwood3883]

The big culprit was overloaded key rings. And the unable to "duplicate the problem"... huge problem for the diagnosis tech. That is why I'd ALWAYS have the customer take me on the initial test drive. Too often THEY could make it happen when I could not. You have to duplicate the CONDITIONS to make faults appear. It also showed that I really cared about their problems. (Had a lot of unhappy customers when I had to retire for medical issues)

[@kercchan3307]

All because GM management ignored the lower level Engineers screaming about the issue for over a decade.

[@dacealksne]

Still better than Tesla

[@justlistenfornow]

@@dacealksne Tesla hasn't people with their iginitoin switch yet, GM's faulty ignition did.

[@crustycurmudgeon2182]

I remember reading about this back in '06, '07 or so here in the States. Initially, people were told to remove heavy stuff from their key-rings, or just keep the key separate from all other keys. When they finally fixed the problem, they were going to add a -1 (or something like that) to the new part number. They didn't. The part number remained the same. This compounded the problem immensely-- after the recall, dealers had no way to know if they were changing a defective switch with a new one... or if that switch had already been changed. Chaos. The decision to keep the part number the same clearly came from upper level management-- to keep the whole thing quiet. Result? Numerous cars had new switches installed multiple times, and many cars never got the new switch. Absolutely no way to tell one from the other. Ridiculous and irresponsible. Criminal, even. I'm sorry, Canada, that your Transport Canada department is so spineless, and that they are a "hand-me-down" organization only following what US NTSB decides. That, too, is criminal.

[@crustycurmudgeon2182]

I don't know why part of my comment has a line through it. Weird.

[@mattdathew2794]

why are the senior executives not in jail

[@WonderfulTrouble.]

They should be rotting in Jail!! #BoycottGM

[@boydcrowder6130]

The answer was in your question... "Senior Executives" You know the "Elite" people always talk about? yea, thats them....

[@chevychase3103]

It's called white collar crime for a reason!

[@kevinloving5688]

The best justice money can buy

[@danielstewart7163]

Money solves many problems.

[@priscillapastimes]

It's not just a problem in Canada and it's not just the Cobalt. This is so sad that anyone should lose a life because of a defective car.

[@workonitm8]

I've known of the same problem in Chevy pick ups and full size Buicks.

[@threeballedtomcat9380]

I was an independent shop owner during the time that GM was hiding the facts regarding that "detent pawl" issue . I had begun advising customers to never place more than 2 keys on the same ring as the ignition switch key due to the fact that the switch was so easily turned to the accessory position as early as 2004, due to 2 other GM compact models that exhibited the same type of defect. Hiding problems and lying about problems to preserve profits is the hallmark of American corporations. Killing people to preserve profits should be a criminal offense, with those guilty parties prosecuted.

[@rscott2247]

McDonell Douglas now part of Boeing had an issue with its rear cargo door on the DC-10 that could come open and depressurize the jetliner. It was cheaper to take lawsuits from crashes than to fix the door.

[@threeballedtomcat9380]

@@rscott2247 When some of the airplane makers began the shift to "fly by wire" there were several fatal crashes. I had a close friend that died in a C-5A @ Dobbins AFB due to a defective servo....

[@PunkFuckUp]

people actually need to go to jail for this, if no one does then it will continue since the cost benefit analysis will always show the cost of people dieing is low enough to justify it

[@epoxeclipse]

@Brandon S except if you lose power steering and power brakes while in a turn and need to turn more or stop quickly you will likely get into an accident. ask me how I know..

[@iprobablywontseeyourreply.7193]

Brandon S again, they marketed them to inexperienced drivers you absolute pinecone

[@williamkerr8161]

I've been an avid GM enthusiast for over 45 years . It's video evidence like this that prove how stupidly naive I have been and I am ashamed of the level of deceit the upper management has positioned themselves in and I am both humbled and appreciative to the fifth estate for their every effort taken in exposing these not so slick white collar criminals for who they really are .

[@RKELLY79]

I'm mechanic and I can honestly say that the majority of my revenue comes from GM,FORD AND CHRYSLER but mainly General Motors. Stay away from domestic vehicles! Vote with your money!

[@ottanonottott3320]

Honda is better

[@coffeeisgood102]

It wasn't until after watching this program that I realized how fortunate that I am. The Chevy that I drove did the same thing and the key could be pulled out with the ignition in the "on" position. I didn't think much of it except that it was odd. Now I know just how dangerous that was. Thanks for sharing.

[@Justin-yk1du]

All car manufactures do this, they silently update parts and never notify the consumer unless they're forced to.

[@phoenixresidentialcommerci8979]

users.wfu.edu/palmitar/Law&Valuation/Papers/1999/Leggett-pinto.html

[@Brent_Mosey]

TESLA too?

[@simpleinverso8628]

@@Brent_Mosey _ALL_ car brands

[@michaelduggan7164]

The Fifth Estate , Great Canadian Program !!!!

[@russdavis1960]

This decision by GM is no different than any other publicly traded company. The motto is, "If the stockholders are happy, everyone should be happy". I've owned mostly GM vehicles over the past 44 years. I still have 7 in my 'collection' and daily drive an '89 Buick. That being said, when the 'bailouts' were occurring I said back then "LET THEM FAIL". Even though I like GM vehicles AND worked for a supplier for GM, incompetence in running a business, whether a car company or a banking firm should NOT be an excuse to ask for a bailed out. Pain is a lasting lesson , be it physical, emotional, or FINANCIAL. Had the car companies AND banks NOT been bailed out PERHAPS a lesson would have been learned and history would NOT repeat itself.

[@bend1119]

But if GM went under... Who would recall the cars? ... I also wonder how much effort is put into finding and notifying Saturn and Pontiac owners as those dealers no longer exist.

[@joe2501echo]

I remember back when that recall happened. My mom had one of the affected vehicles we got second hand, so we just took the switch out entirely and just touched the wires together to start, and pull a fuse to turn it off. I think we ended up selling it for its weight in scrap because there were simply so many parts going bad at once that it was cheaper to get the scrap money and buy another car with fewer problems.

[@darrylb4048]

Laws should be passed to hold GM execs criminally responsible for such actions. Transport Canada, the same goes for them. Fire the whole lot and rebuild the program. As for the politicians, they too should be held to the same standards and go to jail when found to be lying like she did. Where are our so called Canadian ethics? I feel for all the people that have been affected by the greed of all the above horrible people. Thanks to institutions like The Fifth Estate. Regards.

[@robpaq4191]

No accountability, leads to a sense of false entitlement. Many modern corporation believe their is no cost to great in the name of profit. We are to told to be proud of this, when in fact we should be ashamed.

[@garybulwinkle82]

It would cost allot more than .52$ to fix those switches!! I'll bet it would take a couple hours of labor, which is where the money would be spent!

[@iprobablywontseeyourreply.7193]

gary bulwinkle well it wouldn’t have cost more than it ended up costing them...including criminal charges and having to do the recall anyway.

[@iprobablywontseeyourreply.7193]

gary bulwinkle plus it’s the dealerships own mechanics that would’ve been fixing them. I dont know if it really would’ve taken all that long to replace.

[@dch2896]

Why did the government bail them out again?

[@Lrules364]

D Ch Chinese money in back door deals. Thats why.

[@garybulwinkle82]

Obummer and the unions! Pure evil!!!

[@2009ckb]

D Ch because the world is a business mr. beale

[@mattlane2282]

the gov bailed out everyone even ford who has recalls over doors opening, steering wheels falling off...

[@carfan5824]

No u

[@judithjackson1086]

I'm on a fifth estate binge

[@davidbuzanko1934]

Judith Jackson same;)

[@alexmastaler6327]

Same!

[@sethytrashroad2561]

Me too, it's so interesting! I wish American journalism was this good!

[@TheCatMilton]

I’m not even from Canada..

[@bobwoods5017]

Chrysler Concord 1994 we bought used in 1997. The switch didn't move, but at 65 mph it would short out the gauges would slam max then zero out and the transmission would go into first gear. Scared the crap out of us. No one encounters a similar problem. I had the ignition switch swapped out and it fixed the problem. No recall ever on the cars ingnition. I have never had a car not have one or more electrical problem.

[@thebunkreport]

I have a Cobalt that I got in 2008 and it's been the best car I've veer had. 85,000 miles and not one problem. I got a letter about the ignition switch and was told to bring it into the dealership to be fixed immediately. I did that and they replaced it. I feel terrible for the victims but I love my car. I will have had it for 12 years in January.

[@scottmoore6131]

My wife got messed up by a bad airbag sensor in her gm Saturn. We weren’t informed of the recall until after the wreck!

[@alexm566]

what happened? the airbag exploded for no reason?

[@blthetube1]

I've turned off my ignition while driving to test a problem I was and having and all it does is gradually bring you to a stop. Steering is a little stiffer and brakes require more effort. but no loss of control. There is way more to these accidents that we are not being told

[@stevemiller6766]

were you expecting the ignition switch to be turned off? Were you in a curve at high speed? Were you in one of these cars?

[@yauwohn]

That's you though, BUT some people panic!

[@mcdougalvalentine5801]

It's a lot different when you EXPECT it to happen & you know about cars. Duh.

[@Oregon696969]

Pretty obvious if you ride in any GM product made in the last 20 years that it is a collection of cut corners.

[@JazzTheDogOfWar]

This is scary. These bastards know no limits.

[@abhinandanb]

Who? The car company, or the minister, or the bureaucrats?

[@JazzTheDogOfWar]

@@abhinandanb all of them

[@MatthewTheCCMA]

I remember watching this video for the first one back in early 2016, I had just purchased a 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt LT, it had the recall preformed on it for the switch but the little nervousness of my car unable to shake. Eventually around the 95k mile mark it blew a head gasket a no longer ran correctly. That was last American vehicle we will own in our home. Was so disappointed in myself for my poor research of this car and to this day have convinced several of my friends & coworkers to NEVER buy a GM product!

[@tanjacavalli885]

AUDI did the same, the cars just stopped, I found myself at night on 3000 meters altitude with two crying toddlers, in freezing temperatures. No one around. Fortunately I had a fully charged cellphone. In Europe there's no punitive damages in court. They just paid the expenses to come and get me, and to fix the car. And they knew the A6 had the defect. Never again an Audi!

[@kabalu]

....but screaming, when VW had non critical issues with there Diesel

[@BigWesLawns]

Canadian govt conspires to this day. We just scrapped the E Test in Canada... most likely dictated by VW's Corporate Screw Twisters.

[@d.e.b.b5788]

non critical? Wait until you can't breath. Apparently , only then will you'll understand. No one notices problems until it affects THEM.

[@abhinandanb]

@@d.e.b.b5788 even if every Canadian drives a VW diesel, it won't be half as bad given the population density.

[@GLIfan91]

This fiasco and all the innocent lives lost hurts my heart.. I've never been a fan of GM products and will never EVER purchase a GM product.

[@brarautorepairs]

This "defect" was caused partly by user error. When the engine turns off, you loose power steering and have limited number of power assisted brakes. The ignition switch in "acc" mode will still allow you to steer (the car will have mechanical steering) and have full power of braking (vacuum assist is stored in the booster). The ignition key should be used without any extra junk on the key ring. Over time, the wear and tear from the weight of the extra stuff on the key would cause the switch to turn off. Most people have never bothered to read the owner's manual or learn how to drive without power brakes and steering. Finally, GM built tons of POS cars that didn't allow the Airbags to deploy when the engine off - Key on.

[@boydcrowder6130]

You do realize every single car manufacturer on the planet is guilty of this to some extent... GM just got caught...

[@louisbarningham]

Same! Gm is trash

[@andresgarza6565]

@@boydcrowder6130 So true. Name any car manufacturer.

[@robertlandonijr2481]

@@brarautorepairs I had a '85 Renault Encore like that, non power steering and brakes standard on that car, well familiar driving with no power anything.

[@chriswalthall]

The way Bob McKeown speaks makes me feel like I'm losing my mind.

[@sylvieguenette4318]

Oh my goodness... me too !!!!

[@lypdmaxpane]

no wonder they went bankrupt

[@kevinloving5688]

And were bailed out by our tax money

[@spankthemonkey3437]

mithun manohar the reason also has to do with the unions getting what they want excessive pay and benefits.

[@morgfarm1]

I'm American, this Canadian show is very nice to see, so I appreciate the segments that've been published, even though the video is now very old. However, it is exactly the GM Delta platform (which was the Saturn Ion, Chevrolet Cobalt, Pontiac G4/Pursuit) that will keep me from even considering a GM product from the 2002 to 2022 model years. Not just the ignition switch, but general reliability. That's not to say that Ford hasn't made mistakes, but GM's sure seem to be the worst in that they do like to hide things. Ford's transmission woes and even body component defects on its mid-size and full-size SUVs (the Ford Explorer from 2001 and onward, specifically, from experience, for the body issue, and about half of their model lineups featuring JUST the Automatic transmissions from about 1992 to about 2007) make it bad enough, but at least we are aware of and are able to plan for such terminal issues, they aren't necessarily life threatening. Mostly expensive or an inconvenience from the perspective of preserving the appearance of the vehicle. Not to mention, the feel of GM vehicles have been something I disliked. I've driven a 2000 Chevy Blazer; didn't care for the soft front suspension feel, having been used to the firm and planted Explorer from 1999 and then 2001 and 2002. I drove a 2009 Impala for a day and returned it to the rental agency because I hated the feeling of the car. And Just 5 seconds seated in the HHR was enough for me to refuse to even put the key in the ignition. The one and only GM vehicle I liked was a 50th Anniversary 2003 Chevrolet Corvette that I drove for 2 miles in a very gentle and careful fashion, just because I was offered the chance to drive such a performance vehicle. I don't care what you own or drive, a real car person respects the Corvette, even if you dislike it. Call it bias, but the feel of Ford has long been my preference. Not just for driver comfort, but for the way they feel connected to the road. Ranger, Taurus, Explorer, F-Series. They all shared a comfortable ride, comfortable seating and a firm, sure-footed connection to the pavement with perfectly responsive steering. My biggest complaint IS the Transmission but only if it has an automatic. The manual transmission is something you cannot and should not mess with. Our 1967 Ford Ranger has never once had the transmission opened, and has only been disconnected from its engine twice in 51 years, both times for a rebuild of the engine and the engine alone. But that's what we've considered a very special truck, in that most of them don't survive quite as heartily as that truck has, even to this day.

[@rileysmith9843]

I bought a Lexus GS460 over another car I was considering: an Impala LTZ. I preferred the GS460’s fit/finish, quiet cabin, performance, ride, and handling, and will be buying a next generation Mazda6 when it goes RWD.

[@cn7835656]

the ignition switch issues are still happening even now in 2015 and GM still hasn't fixed it

[@scalenemass27yt25]

That's crazy!

[@cn7835656]

I know shame on GM for not telling us about this serious problem

[@scalenemass27yt25]

Good thing my mom's Montana was repossessed.

[@rsmith155]

Eli Loechel HA! You are poor!

[@05fordgtx1]

GM cannot be trusted with their vehicles

[@nicholaswoolfenden5254]

This corporate greed culture is tolerated if not encouraged by governments .... everywhere. If you sue they never suffer, top lawyers and bully tactics. GM, , EXXON VALDEZ, BP. We can't fight corporate fraud without government help. They are complicit. Always.

[@baronvonlimbourgh1716]

Then stop voting in politicians that get campaign funds from corperations...

[@BigWesLawns]

@@baronvonlimbourgh1716 I see no one trying to get into office that isnt out to steal our money...ever. I am turning 50 next week and I cant remember any leader getting out alive. The people blame, but the leaders all steal, and it keeps goin round.

[@acgillespie]

Criminals defending and protecting criminals since 1776

[@baronvonlimbourgh1716]

@@BigWesLawns they are there, but not on tv. Cause they don't have any money to run a campaign..

[@mattlane2282]

EVERYONE does cost calculations... the GOV does the same thing...

[@AndrewJackson-zs8pi]

Friday 11/21/2014 my 2007 Chevy cobalt lost steering and braking i slammed into a guard rail at 65 mph my airbags failed to deploy luckily i only sustained minor injuries. On sat 11/22/2014 I received the recall letter in my mail. And to add insult to injury I received a ticket for failing to control the vehicle which I intend to fight

[@lees.4084]

Just because you lose ign. power, does NOT mean you lose all steering control. True, you do lose power assist, But not the ability to steer the car. It will take more effort, but at highway speeds it isn't that bad. Not sure how this situation caused you to lose control of the car... You still have unassisted steering, and you still have brakes, albeit without anti-lock, but you should still be able to bring the car to a safe, controlled stop. So, what happened???

[@AndrewJackson-zs8pi]

Steering locked and brakes failed

[@lees.4084]

Andrew Jackson The steering did not lock, and the brakes did not fail... Did you not comprehend anything I said above?

[@lees.4084]

Andrew Jackson Another thing. You said you didn't get your recall letter until November??? Everybody else got theirs by February/March. Your story is full of holes...

[@martind349]

Woman and youths have different upper body strengths than others

[@MetaView7]

GM must be the most irresponsible company in the world.

[@josephaether377]

@Brandon S if those other companies also ignore problems, they are irresponsible too. this doesn't change the fact that the actions make the company irresponsible... such a strange rebuke.

[@rileysmith9843]

*Chrysler Group has entered the chat with the 1993-04 Grand Cherokee fuel fed fires*

[@kylechellino2579]

@@rileysmith9843 Didn't that start in like 2013? I wasn't sure when that recall started.

[@rileysmith9843]

@@kylechellino2579 Some of these fires happened before the recall even began.

[@kylechellino2579]

@@rileysmith9843 Damn, and Chrysler new about it I assume?

[@rustynail2783]

Drive an import, the life you save could very well be your own

[@louiemarroquin40]

GM is an American company, Chevy’s are imports in Canada.

[@ChuckHickl]

@@louiemarroquin40 Truth...

[@iprobablywontseeyourreply.7193]

Brandon S you literally just said it’s their own faults and you didn’t feel bad for those ppl who were victims of faulty accelerators and floor mat issues and you’d chalk it up to inexperienced white knuckle drivers...now you’re using it as examples of problems in cars you should avoid?

[@johnlarson7858]

Starting to have flashbacks regarding the Ford Pinto and its infamous exploding gas tank. I’m still floored by that business case. Ford actually had a group of people do an analysis that would compare the cost of the recall, including the cost of material (about $2 each), the labor to make the part switch (I don’t have this figure), and perhaps some incidental costs (not sure if rental cars were part of recalls back then), vs what the total cost would be for legal, including litigation, attorney fees and settlement costs. The analytics team deemed the cost of all legal would be less than the cost of an entire recall. Here’s the thing...somebody, or somebodies, forgot to factor in punitive damages. As bad as deeming that incurring legal fees would be less costly in the end, the fact that they just simply ignored the value of human lives is simply incomprehensible.

[@leanderrowe2800]

I know this is old news but as a 73 years old person, I never purchased or wanted to purchase American cars and never will. All I hear from news, friends, neighbours, co-workers and acquaintances on American cars are nothing but trouble, irrespective of cheap or luxury expensive models.

[@Skoda130]

Moral of the story: We need to make sure that lawsuits are always more expensive than not solving a technical issue.

[@mpirokajosephmgcokoca2355]

Agree 👏

[@funnygirl101ism]

This is why all companies need to be heavily regulated. For profit companies will not voluntarily disclose their errors that leave them liable.

[@RetroCaptain]

Elizabeth M (most) Corporations & ALL corrupt Politicians have "hiding the truth" in common, sad to say.

[@rtrThanos]

Is this Canada’s first time dealing with this??? Car manufacturers do this so often that I thought it was common knowledge. It’s so common that the 1984 movie Top Secret showed a Ford Pinto being lightly tapped on the bumper, causing the car to explode due to a well-known manufacturing flaw that had killed many people in real life. Ford felt that it would cost less money to pay the lawsuits than to retool their factories and correct the problem, so they did nothing other than discontinuing the Pinto. I think the Corvair had a similar problem caused by side impacts...whoa, while typing this they actually talked about the Corvair in the video. Long story short, it’s important to do research before buying a vehicle. I recommend never buying a car that’s new to the market, but to stick to a line of vehicles that has been around for a while and has had the kinks worked out (loving my 2014 Mustang). And always check the national recall database whether you buy new or used.

[@opheliadelima5799]

Thank you very much for this post!

[@BoycottNCSoft]

GM's history of ignoring lethal safety defects and wiggling out of liability with the help of the US government is why I will never buy a GM product again. It's not just the callous indifference to its customers' safety, but that even if they did it again it's likely they'll get out of responsibility for it because GM is just that powerful in my country. At least foreign car companies are held liable for their failures.

[@VencedorGamer]

I approve this message, and I also support your NCSOFT Boycott, I'm a former CoV, Tabula Rasa, Auto Assault, and Exteel player, so I feel your pain. ;)

[@punker4Real]

actually they became fully liable for old GM after the cover up since it was in violation of the terms of the bankruptcy . they had actually fixed a recall that was recalled 3 time for the same issue on 3.8l engines that "catch fire" for older pre 2007 gm cars

[@lees.4084]

They've all done it at some point. Remember the sticking accelerator issue that Toyota knew about but covered up several years ago?

[@Mr_Meowingtons]

they all do it it is not just GM we use a lot of Ford trucks and there was a huge recall on Fuel lines and fires

[@rileysmith9843]

Lee S. Nissan’s chairman Charles Ghosn was fired this year.

[@MrGoogelaar]

"Been drinking heavily with friends" 25:47. That means Dany was just as a potential murderer as the faulty ignition switch, endangering other innocent road users. I have sympathy with his parents but I have no respect or sympathy for drunk drivers, sorry Dany.

[@Tuberuser187]

Sadly it caused the investigators to drag their feet with the investigation, "drunk driver.. he might have bumped it, thats all" and might not have dug into it as deeply as they could have.

[@pyrobob208]

Her drinking has no relevance to the faulty switch.

[@iprobablywontseeyourreply.7193]

Pyrobob *His

[@derekdavies7374]

What i fail to understand having a good amount of automotive experience myself is even if your ignition moves to the accessory position your steering wheel doesn't lock and your brakes work the same if your car isn't running yes you will loose power steering so unless they were in a turn when the car shut off I find it unbelievable they could not maintain control...however the airbags not deploying If the ignition is in accessory position is a engineering blooper

[@truckstuffmore875]

I live about 100 miles from marigold,ms awesome yall came down to my neck of the woods

[@JasonRoggasch]

*WHAT CRAZY FUCK WOULD BUY A GM*

[@MemestiffGaming]

You know why that Chevy ad is saying forever young? It's because the drivers are Chevy will never grow old, cause they'll be dead

[@gadget58]

So many times we’ve heard about fatal accidents caused by known defects. When will there be criminal charges against the CEO’s for holding profit over someone’s life.

[@datruth9872]

This isnt just cobalt , its also in 2003 cheve monte carlos. I know I got one. The recall they did was on the key, not the switch. The switch is still in the car. This is the last G.M car I will ever purchase.

[@05fordgtx1]

GM should have been put out of business for this

[@bobr.6312]

They have all done it, Ford, GM, Chrysler, FIAT, Honda, Toyota, VW, name the brand.

[@kevinloving5688]

@steve b Blame Obama for that We had 100 companies by 1920 and one by one 97 of them went out of business The U. S. Government should have focused on Tesla and new American car companies preferly like Tesla electric cars.

[@lees.4084]

@@kevinloving5688 Tesla.... Oh yeah, the ones with the vehicles that burst into flames from battery fires???

[@lees.4084]

O5fordgtx Following that line of logic, ALL car makers whould have been put out of business.....

[@kevinloving5688]

@@lees.4084 That was the Fisker Karma

[@TheMowgli420]

I will never purchase a GM product!

[@benjohnson3700]

what this article did not mention is that when ignition key goes accidentally to accessory position the steering wheel will lock up and you can not steer.

[@janetlucas2343]

Mr. McKeown is a fantastic interviewer/reporter.

[@OzzieOzzieOzzieOyOyOy]

That’s quite scary. I had a Chevy Cobalt for four years. I got lucky, that’s for sure.

[@djccatterall]

Pen ML Good job you didn't have a heavy key ring! I wouldn't have stood a chance with My jailer's keys.

[@La_Ru-yg8es]

Oz Lang Thank God you're okay!

[@mattlane2282]

um, no how many were sold... how many issues? So its like little better odds than winning lottery...

[@lornaginetteharrison414]

Good grief!!! How the hell do these people live with themselves, when they've consciously made a decision to put a $ amount on someone's life vs. a product recall? I realise GM isn't alone in committing these heinous crimes, but it boggles my mind that ANYONE would EVER conceive of such a deliberate plan of 'inaction', almost literally playing Russian roulette with their customer's lives. I recognise I'm most probably hopelessly naïve, but apart from a small percentage of people in the population who are diagnosable as psychopaths or sociopaths, I honestly expected better from the majority of the human race. I mean, we're not talking about just a couple of people in a company trying to cover up a mistake - there had to be all sorts of engineers, lawyers, management (etc) involved. Yet they ALL kept quiet??!!! If it's seemingly so easy for a sizeable group of people to brazenly do something that's patently, terribly wrong, it kinda makes me give up on the human race as a whole. DAMN!!!

[@saxopio6280]

The love of money is the root of all evil.

[@d.e.b.b5788]

Profits first. These people don't give a crap about anyone except themselves. They'd throw their own family under the bus to make more money. It's all about money; in America, everything is always about money. ALWAYS.

[@janellbenarroch4764]

No one cares how it boggles your mind🤣

[@iaiband]

The last line of this video should tell you all you need to know about these people. 15 people lost there jobs so the executives could point a finger away from themselves.

[@renereyes4999]

Knowingly aware of the GM's Cobalt's fatal faulty ignition switch back in 2001, THEY still decided to mass produce it!! In their cost effective analyses, the GM corporation, willfully decided that IT WAS CHEAPER to pay for each and any legal claims against them instead of paying$.57 to correct along with labor costs in a nationwide manufacturer's recall!! All in the name of saving and making more money on the backs of their customers safety!! Then, in 2008, during the financial U.S. depression, THEY CAME to Capitol Hill, in their PRIVATE CORPORATE JETS, to ask for bailout money. AND CONGRESS KNOWINGLY AWARE OF THEIR MANUFACTURING FAILURE, Instead of forcing them to correct it, fine, and deny their request for the bailout??!!! It just goes to show, the les of corruption within the government, Congress, and big corporations that conscientiously CHOOSE TO PUT GAINS AND PROFITS AHEAD OF PEOPLE'S SAFETY!! BECAUSE THEY KNOW THAT THE LAWS IN THE BOOKS ARE AND CAN BE CIRCUMCISED/CIRCUMVENTED WITH BIG FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO KEY POLITICIANS!!! When are we going to stand up, say ENOUGH!, and hold them accountable?!! These matters include and involve EVERYONE across America!! Our daughters, sons, wives, sisters, brothers,etc. ARE INVOLVED!! IF we continue to ignore these BLATANT illegal, corrupt and selfish big corporations decisions, only shows how indifferent and uncaring we have become about how much we ACTUALLY "CARE" WHEN IT COMES TO THE SAFETY OF THOSE WHOM WE CLAIM AND PROFESS LOVE FOR, All on the name of the ALMIGHTY DOLLAR!!

[@JackMustang]

I know lots 2 people in my family who have GM vehicles. My Aunt Jo has a 2012 Chevy Cruze, and my Uncle Brian has a 2014 Chevy Corvette Stingray. When I'm in a Buick, a Pontiac, and a Chevy I ask the person who's driving it if they got that recall. I better own a vehicle by Ford Motor Company, Not GM Motors. Shame on GM Motors.

[@thomaslo2918]

I cant even watch this one bc GM still is in business and it just reminds me how we as humans need to stand up for ourselves against these companies and we aren't

[@ehart34]

This wasn't or isn't just limited to the cobalt, alot of cars got those crap ignitions, I got a notice for my grand prix.

[@kylechellino2579]

I think my friend's Monti Carlo had that notice as well.

[@theHairyProject]

My Camry was like that bad.

[@blatheringblathers347]

We've had a notice issued for our 2002 Malibu base model a few years ago. The ignition switch on it has since been replaced.

[@rileysmith9843]

I’ve had a notice on my 2007 Buick Lucerne CXL 4.6 for about two years. The ignition switch was replaced in July 2021, as I wasn’t going to risk it on the Lodge as I drove between Farmington/Farmington Hills and Detroit.

[@bluecollarden]

I still have my 2006 Cobalt, which has been fixed since the recall. it was my first car, driving it faithfully and quite often from the time I turned 16 (2008) until my husband and I bought a new car in 2016, the Cobalt becoming his work car. And I used to have a lanyard dangling from my keys before it became a work car. I think I once pulled on the lanyard accidentally while I was in park when I was 18, turning the ignition to accessory. But at the time, I just thought all vehicles did that, as that lanyard was pulled hard when it got caught. But then to hear all the reports after the recall was announced, I couldn't believe that I shrugged off that moment. It was my first car and since no other vehicle I had driven in did not have a lanyard, I just thought it was a lanyard problem, not a severe ignition problem! I have a safe driving record as of the date of this comment (never been in an accident, never got a ticket), but a safe record can't protect you from a tug on those keys when driving 110 km on the highway. I'm just thankful I stayed safe when driving that car until it got fixed. I don't drive with a lanyard anymore either, haven't since getting the new car. I do like Chevy, but GM needed and still needs to get their act together.

[@JazzTheDogOfWar]

those cars are garbage, plain and simple.

[@BikesAndSquids]

I own a GMC sierra 2014 single cab and my dad ownes a 2011 GMC sierra SLT double cab and my mom drives a 2008 GMC ACADIA + A tahoe 2009 Z71 in standby. I have to say that am so disappointed. shame on you GM. shame on you >_>

[@saxopio6280]

Trade them in for a Toyota NOW!

[@MegaThunder70]

GM should have been forced to offer to buy the cars back I think

[@cz4259]

@steve b They did. I had mine replaced free after a recall letter.

[@rileysmith9843]

c z I simply traded my Impala in for an ES350 in 2015.

[@archangel20031]

The 2018 Freightliner tractor does the same thing, bump it with your knee and the engine turns off, but accessory is 2 clicks from run. From the off position, right is run and to the left is accessory.

[@omegabeta3305]

Bought a cobalt in 2008, traded it in for a Toyota after this ignition failed on me twice on low city speeds. My Corolla has no issues at 280K km.

[@rEdf196]

GM is crap. Their once good reputation went downhill since the arrival of the Vega over 40 years ago.

[@cooperativecam5257]

@Brandon S I mean it's true, when has GM ever made a good 21st century car that wasn't a Tahoe or Silverado?

[@obfuscated3090]

Look up "Ford cruise control switch fires" while you are here! I've seen some of those in person doing salvage.

[@christophercaprio4983]

Let's not forget the Pinto.

[@waynevmax]

A guy I worked with had a F150 cruise control caught fire in the cab & burnt his truck to the ground it took a car on each side and in front of it with it.

[@docchocobo]

Top of the line In utility-sports! Unexplained fires Are a matter for the courts!

[@dirkturrell6460]

Basically all American cars are junk lol. Not that I haven't owned any though but yea it's very hit and miss. I actually think Chrysler has had less safety issues than Ford or GM even though they have a horrible reputation for quality as well lol

[@dirkturrell6460]

oddball0045 you're right all the manufacturers have gone down in quality in the last ten years or so. It's all about profits now, not pride in their products

[@joeblow8593]

I thought that Canada would have the same or better protection laws than the U.S. I never heard of the Pontiac Pursuit until after watching this report. Good investigative reporting.

[@lochinvar00465]

I have a 2008 Impala. They did a recall a year or two ago on it. And what they did was mind boggling. The ignition key had a slot to put it on the keyring with, and what they did was to install a filler block on the slot with a round hole in the middle of it. Supposedly it was to "prevent" the key from being pulled on its side(and therefore turning it) Looks like they still haven't fixed the problem at the source. A proper recall would have been to replace the ignition switch with one that was more robust. But no, that would cost them a couple of bucks/per car.

[@Darquine]

A value on human life.... this is what happens when we allow the version of capitalism we embrace to include (nay, necessitate) a heartlessness on the part of those involved. So long as the structure of the corporation is designed to put maximizing profit above life, we will inevitably find that said corporations MUST try to calculate the value of the incalculable (ie - the value of a human life). And for the sake of that almighty dollar they MUST come to a digit which represents human life value. If I'm reading this right, then a human life is worth $200, 000. This is our fault. Either by our action, or more often our INaction, we have allowed this system to be built around us. One which tries to calculate the value of human life, and MUST come to an answer on this, regardless of whether they're making a car, a blender, or a "medicine". Profit first. Welcome to the Curse of the 20th century. We've got just under 100 years to make certain it is not the legacy of the 21st as well.

[@TRX450RVlogger]

I've never heard anything good about Transport Canada either. alot of these cars look like distracted driving and or speeding deaths to cause that damage. But nope it''s GM's fault....So for all you know GM probably did make note to Transport Canada, but TC probably just brushed it off like they do for School Buses and their seat belts. Funny how that one drunk kid died from drinking and riving but yet it's still GM's fault lol WOW...

[@Underappreciatedclassics]

It started around 47,000 unit recalls and escalated to 27.5 million+ as it spanned multiple gm brands and models, however the cobalt was the worst struck. Only the tecada airbag recall is larger thus far; also side note. at one point I saw a cobalt almost once every other day on the road, now there extremely rare! Hmm I wonder why?

[@danafidler8815]

My son died in a Cobalt and the GM attorneys found a way around the lawsuit! I couldn't get them found legally responsible! He was 21 years old!

[@guyski666]

One also needs to look at the switch positioning (ACC is the the key being positioned perfectly vertical) along with the fact that other keys and a key ring will most likely be hanging from that ignition key. Could going over a bump with a heavy key ring hanging move the key from ON to ACC ???

[@diggindirtallday7188]

Guy Rutledge I have a 2015 Toyota Tacoma and I have a decently heavy and large key ring. I have gone over the WORST bumps off-road and on road and not once have I even come close to having any issue. My keys take a decent bit of force to move which is a great safety feature. This is crap of GM

[@terrythomas1690]

GM must be one of the least Trustworthy companies in the world !

[@Mr_Meowingtons]

You never Drove a FORD have you?

[@brianm509]

Matt seen a lot more junk that is GM then anything else myself. Its always been that way.

[@matthewcarroll3703]

I wonder if starting the key in a vertical position and turning to acc and on in a clockwise rotation would have left the key in a horizontal position or more degrees past horizontal making it more difficult to turn backwards.

[@mayaflynnster]

0:24 Lance Cooper's eye has a crazy pupil. Variety is the spice of life!

[@builderdex]

I love how the GM headquarters building is shaped like the people who make those decisions.

[@estalt957]

I felt really bad people were killed in the fatalities accidents due faulty ignition switches. However i'm sticking my own Dodge, Ram, Jeep, Chrysler, Toyota, Honda, Acura, Subaru, Mitsubishi, Kia, Nissan, Maserati, Mercedes-Benz, Scion, Volvo, Lexus, Audi, Mini Cooper, Hyundai, Suzaki, Land Rover, Infiniti, Jaguar, Tesla and Aston Martin.

[@joeaverager]

Do you have any of the Jeeps that have the gas tank right behind the rear bumper? Chrysler's solution was to install a trailer hitch to strengthen the rear of the car. Ah, no thanks.

[@Reddbeaver]

I have a challenger and a grand caravan. Love them both never a hint of a problem.

[@Bartonovich52]

Dodge Jeep killed Anton Yelchin.

[@trevorquinton5393]

Where do you buy a suzaki?

[@trevorquinton5393]

But you'd buy a Mini?

[@shanatinnin339]

“Please define issue”...well that was golden.

[@johnricci4511]

Every now and then I get a recall notice for this potential problem on my 04 Cadillac Deville. The fix used is not a new switch but an insert in the key that changes the slot to a hole centered in the key so there was no leverage on it from the ton of crap that some folks have hanging from their keys.

[@Medicranger]

You take the total number of cars in the field, A, multiply by the probable rate of failure, B, and multiply by the result of the average out-of-court settlement, C.... A x B x C equals X... if X is less than the cost of a recall, we don't do one.

[@omenroc1]

David Jimenez - Haha! Fight Club, FTW!

[@Bartonovich52]

Ford did that with the Pinto long before Fight Club.

[@unclenightmare754]

I was hoping somebody would point out Fight Club told us about this.

[@BigWesLawns]

@@Bartonovich52 fight club was years before this issue was public. The mustang gas tank predates the pinto, which I think(not sure) was the same gas tank issue. But this is all good commenting in this thread. I am glad you brought up the pinto brah!!

[@showgirlsaroundtheworldada4484]

Problems with 2004 cars reported online by owners ignition and jump time early ...as early as 70k miles and gm won't do a thing...my cad 04 jumped time at 104k and I contacted gm corporate...they returned my call in a week .. They said they could not aid in the repair of my car but would offer me 2000.00 cash mailed to me to buy a new cadillac????

[@MrBilld75]

Ford Pinto anyone?! Lol. They did the same thing. They would rather watch you burn, than fix the problem. Ralph Nader and his "Raiders" got them too. We need more like old Ralph. That Mechanic and the couple who hired him, were the next best thing. Had it not been for them drawing attention to the issue, GM might have got away with murder.

[@thegeekgaming6037]

and they cut out airbags and the fuel tank bladder to "save money" rather pay lawsuits that fixit

[@bamd8770]

I had an 87 black ranger, the headlights would turn off randomly while driving. It was pretty scary driving it on two lane roads in the mountains.

[@chriscooper3503]

well after watching this im going out 2 gms in my driveway with keys and inspecting them both for this defect since the years of them are close to the colbalts in this

[@seabreeze9296]

Well, here it is 3 years later. lol. Are you back yet? What did you find out?

[@oldmustang-1969]

My mom bought a lightly used 2005 and still under warranty . Had it a week and would just drop dead constantly .She took it to several dealers for service and after changing injectors cleaning the fuel tank and a software upgrade she drive off confident and dropped dead entering traffic .Dealership took it back in gave her a loaner and flew a engineer in from the east coast to supposedly install a new version of the ecm or computer .Her stepson bought it and got the switch recall notice so he took it in and they checked vin and said nope it's been fixed already .Now I hate GM as a truck I bought new was taken in 27 times for issues then the paint flaked off and no warranty for that but they hid the switch issue and fixed it without admitting any problem to my mom

[@mpirokajosephmgcokoca2355]

Breathtaking documentary

[@dnbjedi]

Capitalists: we can’t afford to be innovative

[@CanadianWookie1972]

Ya, that's why I laugh when someone says GM is the best! Shame on your GM!!

[@louisbarningham]

General mistake!

[@prabhakarrao4922]

Unbelievably sad. 150 deaths so far

[@Muttleytech]

Even with the ignition switch in the off position the SIR module has an energy reserve for 60 seconds to deploy those air bags if the right conditions exists and with speed over 25mph.

[@v12tommy]

I bought my last GM car in 2005. Still have it, but I've only driven it twice in the last year since I bought a Tesla. Former GM executive Bob Lutz has been saying for years that GM could do the same thing as Tesla for cheaper, yet they continue to make crap. Meanwhile at least 2 of the 3 Tesla models have been rated the safest car in their class, the Model S being the safest car they've ever tested.

[@Ralleigh]

Never going to buy a GM car ever. GG

[@jacobchapman9525]

+Waltzcarer So many companies have done this sort of thing. So many companies have put themselves dead-centre in a scandal. Each product is different.

[@rileysmith9843]

Waltzcarer Plus I was nearly killed after a rollover accident in a 2008 Tahoe. Never buying a narrow track SUV. I think it was an icy road.

[@shanepremont9679]

jacob is right toyota sticking fuel peadles,ford sterring wheels coming off

[@davehatch1946]

ford seatbelts dont retract either and they have the same key bump movement in the 2012 Focus due to key position

[@paulreed6089]

the new stuff is all junk. the last GM forged steel crankshaft was in 1968. the new ones are just cast so they wont last. the last time MOPAR offered a 200 mph speedometer was 1971 as I have one from the factory in my Dodge Charger. if I were to actually buy a new car I would buy a Tesla model 3 but I can rebuild cars so I don't have to own junk. the model 3 is priced reasonably and has a warranty for those with limited brain power and zero mechanical ability. it has very parts to wear out compared to a car with internal combustion engine. I would avoid any other electric car except maybe the original tesla roadster as I love Lotus and these cars are upgradeable to newer battery packs and tesla parts.

[@froosifroosii2383]

The same thing happened to me in 1995 but in a different car Thumbs up thanks for sharing Peace

[@anthonyciolli5891]

Was it a cavalier ?

[@harrylui309]

I've turned the key from on to accessories while going down a road and I found that in my Honda, Dodge, and Volvo, power "assist" steering is irrelevant as it doesn't take much effort to steer the car as long as the vehicle is moving. Power "assist" brake still works for 3-4 press before the vacuum is gone. I didn't crash into thing to find out if the air bag works or not.

[@netweit3]

What do they do to try an fix this giant problem? Maybe give car owners a new ignition assembly which requires more torque to turn it? Of course not! They just give you a key housing with a hole instead of a slot to avoid it swinging as much... Thats a GM recall for ya...

[@BewareTheLilyOfTheValley]

How dark is your heart that you can actually say that you'd rather just pay off the lawsuit than to fix a problem that's going to save lives? That's saying that you're perfectly fine with people dying to save your pockets. No...that means you put a pricetag on people's lives. I guess you don't know them, they're just faceless people to you, it comes with the business. That's what's most disturbing.

[@donaldfuller5041]

It wasn't only the Cobalt the Oldsmobile version of these cars had the same issue. It was the 1st thing I noticed about them thinking this wasn't safe.

[@Hot-1LE]

I had an 05 cobalt SS Supercharged. When i got it i was like wo the ignition switch is really light. I took off all my keychains. It turned off two times in the 5 years i owned the car. Once while in a parking lot, and once on a freeway going 60+. The recall came out and said to remove keychains from your keys. I also had the power steering failures in this car. That failed so many times. Ill never by a GM car again, ticking time bomb