GM recall woes grew when it announced that 2013-15 model year Cadillac XTS and 2014-15 Chevrolet Impala models violate safety regulations.
Troubles for GM and its shareholders continue because of new legal and product quality developments. Late last Friday a U.S. Judge in New York ruled that plaintiffs could request documents related to accidents, injuries and lost vehicle value associated with the ignition switch defect that occurred after GM emerged from bankruptcy in 2009.
GM’s program to compensate victims of crashes involving about 2.6 million Cobalt, Ion and other small cars has so far said that 19, then 21 deaths that are linked to the defect. Critics claim the real number is in the hundreds. As it stands, GM’s law firm has received 445 claims in the first six weeks since the fund accepted claims, including 125 alleged deaths. More than 100 death claims right now are under review. GM has so far since February of this year recalled almost 15 million vehicles over potentially defective ignition switches.
The recall troubles grew over the weekend when GM announced that 2013 – 2015 model year Cadillac XTS and 2014 – 2015 Chevrolet Impala vehicles violate S5.5 of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard, aka FMVSS, 135 on the brake system warning light.
Some of these vehicles have defect where the electronic parking brake’s piston actuation arm may not fully retract, which can cause the brake pads to stay partially engaged with the rotor. Because of this safety defect on 225,000 vehicles, the parking brake light may not illuminate even though the parking brake is active.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
