GM Expands Ignition Switch Recall Again

General Motors Co., which is recalling 2.6 million vehicles worldwide to replace a defective ignition switch, says it has now decided to also replace the ignition lock cylinder in all 2.2 million affected vehicles in the U.S.

The ignition lock cylinder is the mechanical device that receives the key. The lock cylinder connects to the ignition switch, an electrical device that controls electricity the engine needs to run.

The latest expansion addresses a second problem with cars being recalled for defective switches: Their ignition keys can be removed while the engine is running. If that happens, the car could roll away and crash after the driver exits the vehicle. GM says it is aware of several hundred complaints about the issue.

GM also will replace the ignition keys for affected vehicles with a new design that features a centered keyring hole instead of a keyring slot. The redesign is intended to eliminate twisting force on the key caused by a heavy keychain, the issue that prompted the original recall.

The extended recall covers these vehicles:

• 2003-2007 Saturn Ion small sedan
• 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt small sedan
• 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice/Saturn Sky sport coupe
• 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR multipurpose vehicle
• 2007-2010 Pontiac G5 midsize sedan

GM says it now expects to book a charge of about $1.3 billion for the expanded recall and others announced earlier this year. The company originally estimated the cost of its first-quarter recalls at $300 million, then raised it to $750 million.