General Motors sent 200,000 pages of evidence to U.S. officials looking into a faulty ignition system, which may have caused 13 deaths.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration wants to know why General Motors took more than ten years to recall the faulty systems. This occurred as the company was emerging from one of the largest corporate bankruptcies in history. The Chapter 11 proceedings were filed in 2009.
Ignition systems in 2.6 million automobiles have a fault that can cause stalling, and prevent the operation of power steering and brakes, as well as airbags.
The automaker said a majority of the answers investigators are seeking are included among the papers.
Greg Martin, spokesman for General Motors, said the papers include answers to 65 percent of the 107 questions asked of them by the NHTSA.
“GM is cooperating fully with NHTSA and is keeping the agency apprised at every step of its progress as it works to respond to the remaining questions within the special order,” Martin wrote to Reuters via email.
The Federal government purchased more than 25 percent of the company’s stock in order to save it from going out of business.
Corporate leaders are facing harsh questions from government investigators, who are especially concerned over inaction during bankruptcy and the bailout.
In addition to the NHTSA investigation, the automaker is also facing a criminal probe from the Department of Justice.
Affected models include cars made during model years 2003 to 2007. several Chevrolet and Pontiac models are involved in the massive recall.
Automobile owners who own GM cars subject to the recall, but who have not had the update installed on their cars, should bring their car to the nearest dealer as soon as possible. In the short term, the manufacturer recommends drivers disconnect their ignition key from all other keys and accessories.
