Schakowsky Statement on General Motors settlement with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Washington, D.C. – Today, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced a settlement with General Motors over the company’s failure to report defective ignition switches to the agency and initiate a recall in a timely manner. Rep. Schakowsky issued the following statement in response:

“Today’s announcement of a record settlement between NHTSA and GM is an important step in holding the auto maker accountable. As the lead Democrat on the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade – which has jurisdiction over auto safety issues – I was shocked by GM’s failure to alert its customers of the ignition switch problem and devastated by the consequences of its inaction.

“GM’s failure to report faulty ignition switches in its vehicles within five days – as required by law – put its customers in danger. Those faulty ignition switches have been connected to at least 32 crashes and 13 deaths.

“This is a strong settlement that reminds automakers that they must put safety above profit. While I believe $35 million is too small a fine, it is the maximum allowed by law. The consent decree requires GM to make significant changes to its internal safety review process, to provide NHTSA with full access to its internal review, to make a targeted effort to encourage vehicle owners to get the ignition switches replaced, and to provide NHTSA with oversight of its recall effort. Importantly, this settlement does not restrict in any way the rights of victims and their families to continue to pursue legal action against GM for its failure.

“Moving forward, I will continue to work to improve auto safety. That work will include fighting for passage of H.R. 4364, the Motor Vehicle Safety Act, which would improve the quality and quantity of information shared by automakers with NHTSA and the public, and would increase the maximum civil penalty NHTSA can pursue in cases like this.”