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.
