GM Ignition-Switch Death Claims Rise to 100
Survivors have filed about 100 claims for loved ones killed in one of 2.6 million recalled General Motors cars, according to a spokeswoman for Ken Feinberg, administrator of the automaker’s compensation fund, reported Detroit Free Press. As of Friday, claims also were filed by 184 people who were injured in one of the cars, which ... Read More »
Survivors have filed about 100 claims for loved ones killed in one of 2.6 million recalled General Motors cars, according to a spokeswoman for Ken Feinberg, administrator of the automaker’s compensation fund, reported Detroit Free Press.
As of Friday, claims also were filed by 184 people who were injured in one of the cars, which GM recalled beginning last February to replace defective ignition switches, Feinberg spokeswoman Amy Weiss said in an e-mail.
Each claimant must present evidence to establish that the defective ignition switch was the primary cause of the fatality or injury.
Feinberg will determine which claims will be compensated. Claims can be filed through the end of the year.
GM has publicly acknowledged 13 deaths connected to the defect, which can cause ignition switches in up to 2.6 million small cars to turn off when jostled, cutting off power to engines, air bags and other features.
The faulty switches were installed in Chevrolet Cobalts, Saturn Ions, Pontiac G5s, Chevrolet HHRs, Pontiac Solstices and Saturn Skys, mostly from the 2003-07 model years.
GM’s decision not to recall the cars until early this year despite evidence that some employees knew of the problem more than a decade earlier, triggered numerous lawsuits and investigations, including a criminal probe by the U.S. Justice Department.
The compensation fund is unlimited, but GM has estimated that it will cost $400 million-$600 million to settle all eligible claims. That doesn’t include potential payments to victims who choose to sue GM instead of accepting settlements. It doesn’t include any potential government fines.
Feinberg has spelled out extensive criteria for eligibility at GMIgnitionCompensation.com. If he determines that the defect was the “substantial cause” of the accident, he will use actuarial tables and average medical cost data to calculate the size of a payout. Families of people who died will get at least $1 million.
More Industry

Autos More Appealing
Consumers gave new cars better scores again this year for design, performance and more as mass-market brands kept gaining on premium lineups, JD Power found in an annual poll.
Read More →
Used EVs Defy Overall Market
While the used-car market saw three months of price declines or stagnation, the used EV segment did the opposite – rising for three straight months.
Read More →
Gone to the Dogs
A Stellantis brand decided to have some fun with one of its SUVs’ design to address growing emphasis on family pets.
Read More →
OEM Poll Sees Industry Evolution
Kerrigan Advisors’ survey of automakers finds that tariffs, technology, network tightening and other factors are poised to reshape auto retail.
Read More →
Luxe N.C. Dealerships Change Hands
A collection of Italian and English brand franchises were handed off to the owner’s friend in the business and include the Carolinas’ only Ferrari retail stores.
Read More →
Exposure Drives Interest in Chinese Cars
At a recent demonstration, consumers had the chance to ride in a Chinese-branded vehicle, a firsthand experience that improved their perceptions and purchase intent.
Read More →
Automotive Consumers Sink Further in Debt
Most financing metrics hit records in the second quarter as more buyers locked themselves into long terms and high monthly payments.
Read More →
Agent Advocate
Rob Mancuso, who comes from a long line of auto dealers, values general agents’ place in the industry and makes a case for them taking an even bigger seat at the table.
Read More →
Driving Under Distraction
Though consumers gave higher marks to new vehicles in JD Power’s most recent initial-quality poll, high-tech interference worsened, pointing to craving for simplicity.
Read More →
Affordable New Cars a Thing of the Past
More than one out of five new vehicles sell for more than $60,000, according to Edmunds. That's up 7% compared to prepandemic 2019.
Read More →