Justice Dept. Launches Probe into Delayed GM Recall

The U.S. Dept. of Justice is investigating whether General Motors Co. broke civil or criminal laws by belatedly recalling an ignition switch defect the company noticed in its cars a decade ago, Bloomberg News reports.

Last month GM announced it would repair 1.6 million vehicles worldwide that were equipped with ignition switches that could be jarred out of the "on" position by a heavy keychain. The flaw can switch off the engine, thus cutting the car's power steering, power brakes and airbags while the vehicle is in motion.

The flaw has been linked to at least 12 fatalities. GM earlier reported 13 deaths associated with the defect. But on Monday it reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that one fatality had been counted twice.

Bloomberg says lawyers with the U.S. Attorney's office in the southern district of New York are heading the Justice Dept. probe. The same office investigated claims of unintended acceleration in Toyota Motor Corp. vehicles five years ago.

GM discovered the switch problem in 2004 and discussed it with NHTSA. But neither organization took recall action until four weeks ago.