The Recall Desk
Our severity:SevereNHTSA·14V171000·Announced 2014-04-10

GM Recalls Vehicles for Ignition Key Removal Defect

General Motors is recalling specific Saturn, Chevrolet, and Pontiac vehicles because the ignition key can be removed while the engine is running, creating a rollaway risk.

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 4/5 (Severe).

The hazard poses a serious risk of illness, injury, or structural failure. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a structural vehicle defect (ignition key removal) that creates a significant risk of vehicle rollaway, leading to potential crashes and injuries, which aligns with the criteria for a Severe (4) rating.

Plain-English summary

General Motors LLC is recalling certain model year 2003-2011 Saturn, Chevrolet, and Pontiac vehicles due to a defect in the ignition system. The affected models include the Saturn Ion (2003-2007), Saturn Sky (2007-2010), Chevrolet Cobalt (2005-2010), Chevrolet HHR (2006-2011), Pontiac G5 (2007-2010), and Pontiac Solstice (2006-2010). In these vehicles, the key can be removed from the ignition even when the ignition is not in the "Off" position.

This defect creates a risk that the vehicle could roll away if the transmission is not in "Park" (for automatic transmissions) or if the parking brake is not engaged and the transmission is not in "Reverse" (for manual transmissions). This potential for rollaway increases the risk of a crash, which could result in injuries to occupants or pedestrians.

General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition cylinder and cut and re-learn two ignition/door keys for vehicles that have not previously received the redesigned part. For vehicles that already have the redesigned ignition cylinder, dealers will cut and re-learn two keys. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Until the repair is completed, owners are advised to ensure the vehicle is in "Park" or in "Reverse" with the parking brake engaged when exiting the vehicle.

The recalled product

Product
SATURN, CHEVROLET, PONTIAC ION, COBALT, SOLSTICE, HHR
Brand
SATURN
Manufacturer
General Motors LLC
Category
Vehicle — Ignition System
Hazard
Affected units
2,191,014

Is your product affected?

Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.

Model numbers (6)

  • ION
  • COBALT
  • SOLSTICE
  • HHR
  • SKY
  • G5

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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