http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/01/business/cobalts-were-seen-as-lemons-from-start-state-data-shows.html#Cobalts Were Seen as Lemons From Start, State Data ShowsLong before the Chevrolet Cobalt became known for having a deadly ignition defect, it was already seen as a lemon. Owners complained about power steering failures, locks inexplicably opening and closing, doors jamming shut in the rain — even windows falling out.
In more than 120 instances, General Motors was forced under state lemon laws to buy back faulty Cobalts, pay settlements to owners or let them trade in the cars, an analysis by The New York Times of state databases and court records shows. The buybacks came as dozens of claims were filed separately at G.M. from 2005 to 2009 that fit a specific pattern — moving cars, sometimes traveling at high speeds, would suddenly stop working.
The automaker has linked
13 deaths to the defect in Cobalts and several other models. In her prepared remarks, filed with House investigators on Monday, Ms. Barra said, “I cannot tell you why it took years for a safety defect to be announced.”
Ronald and Gwenda Heaster of Crawley, W.Va., knew right away that something was wrong with their car.
They had bought a red 2005 Cobalt for their 16-year-old daughter, Heather, but within weeks, it was repeatedly losing power and the family thought it was dangerous for her to drive.
“It would just die in the middle of the road,” Ms. Heaster said. “She could have gotten killed.”
The Heasters complained to dealerships and then to G.M.
“We told them those cars were not safe,” Ms. Heaster said. “They made all kinds of excuses and said it was our daughter’s fault.”
The Heasters noted another curiosity about their Cobalt: Heather could start the engine, remove the key, and the car would continue running. When Ms. Heaster mentioned the issue to the local dealership, the mechanic shrugged off her concern, she said, and told her, “All Cobalts do that.”
The Cobalt is among the six models of small cars that General Motors has recently recalled for the faulty ignition switch that is prone to turn off if it is bumped, shutting down the engine and disabling air bags.
The automaker has recalled nearly 2.6 million of the cars, including over a million Cobalts, in the last two months. G.M. has made loaner cars available to customers who are uncomfortable driving their cars while they wait for them to be recalled and fixed. Already, 10,000 loaners have been provided.
