19 Fatalities Linked to GM Cars in Ignition Switch Recall

General Motors Co. has supplied the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration with details about 19 fatal crashes involving cars the company recalled in February to replace defective ignition switches.

NHTSA posted the data earlier this week on its Early Warning Reporting database. The reports involve crashes within the past five years of older-model Saturn Ion and Chevrolet Cobalt sedans and Chevy HHR multipurpose vehicles.

The agency doesn't identify the victims, and it does not specifically blame the crashes on malfunctioning ignition switches. But it does say issues that may have contributed to the crashes include steering, airbag and/or electrical problems.

All three models are part of GM's recall of 2.6 million vehicles to replace ignition switches that can be jostled out of the "run" position, thus switching off the engine and shutting off the power steering, power brakes and airbag systems.