TRICKY

GM Misled Families on Fatal Flaw

Said it didn't have evidence of defects.

Despite evidence about a dangerously faulty ignition switch, for years GM told families of accident victims that there was not enough evidence of defects in its cars. In fact, in one case, GM even threatened legal action against a victim's family if a lawsuit was not withdrawn. In February 2014, GM finally recalled 1.6 million cars, admitting there was a faulty switch that could shut off the engine's power and disable air bags. While GM has only admitted publicly to 12 deaths tied to the switch problems, which occurred only in 2009 or earlier, it reported 23 crashes with 26 deaths related to the recalled models to the U.S. government.