Hawley announces GM settlement brings around $2 million to Missouri

Attorney General Josh Hawley announced on Thursday a $120 million multi-state settlement with General Motors Company.

The settlement comes after allegations were made that GM concealed safety issues regarding ignition-switch-related defects in GM vehicles.

In 2014, GM issued seven vehicle recalls in response to unintended key-rotation related and/or ignition-switch-related issues, which affected over 9 million vehicles in the U.S.

Hawley said an investigation found that if the issues were to a happen, a driver could experience a loss of electrical systems, including power steering and power brakes. The issues could also result in the safety airbags failing to deploy, increasing the risk of serious injury or death.

Hawley said the automaker’s actions violated state consumer protection laws, including Missouri’s Merchandising Practices Act.

“Conduct that puts the safety of Missourians at risk will not be tolerated,” Hawley said. “My office will hold manufacturers accountable for the representations they make.”

From now on, GM will have to represent that a motor vehicle is “safe” and instruct its dealers that all applicable recall repairs must be completed before any car is sold.

GM also agreed to pay the participating attorneys general a total of $120 million, of which Missouri’s share is approximately $2 million.