Internal report on faulty ignition switch due in May: GM's Mary Barra

General Motors head Mary Barra told a US Senate committee on Wednesday that she expected a May release of an internal report on how the largest US automaker allowed a fatally defective part to go unaddressed for years.

Since taking over GM in January, Barra has repeatedly said that she does not know why it took years to recognise the faulty ignition switch blamed for at least 13 deaths and 31 accidents.

The issue is an ignition switch that may unintentionally turn off, resulting in a possible loss of power to critical systems, including airbags, power brakes and power steering.

Barra said on Wednesday that GM had engaged former US attorney Anton Valukas and given him a free hand to look into the matter.

“The facts will be the facts,” Barra told the committee. “Once they are in, my management team and I will use his findings to help assure this does not happen again,” said Barra.

As she did yesterday at a House hearing, Barra said many details Congress is seeking will come out in an internal GM investigation that should be completed in 45 to 60 days.

Barra said the company has not yet fired any employees in connection with the recall. But she said if inappropriate decisions were made, GM will take action, including terminating those involved.

GM has recalled 2.6 million vehicles for the ignition problem. And on the eve of the much-awaited hearings, GM recalled 1.5 million additional cars worldwide, saying they may experience a sudden loss of electric power steering.

Senators accuse GM of covering up

US senators accused General Motors of trying to cover up problems with an ignition switch and pressed Mary Barra to commit to punishing anyone involved.

Barra tried to assure lawmakers that GM is now more focused on safety and the consumer. Many senators were disappointed and not convinced.

“You don’t know anything about anything,” said Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer. “If this is the new GM leadership, it’s pretty lacking.”

The questioning from the senators was more aggressive, with many focused on the ignition switch, namely how GM approved a replacement in 2006 but never changed the part number.

Failing to change the part number makes the part harder to track. Anyone investigating the cars would not know why earlier switches were failing at a higher rate than later ones.

'Beyond unacceptable, it's criminal'

While Barra called the failure to change the part number “unacceptable,” several members of the panel implied that it was done intentionally by person or group within the company, and raised the possibility the action could constitute a criminal violation.

Senator Kelly Ayotte replied, “I think it goes beyond unacceptable. I believe this is criminal.”

Senator Richard Blumenthal told Barra that the more he hears and sees about GM, “the more convinced I am that GM has a real exposure to criminal liability. I think it’s likely and appropriate that GM will face prosecution.”

The Justice Department is conducting a criminal investigation of GM’s handling of the recall. Barra promised the company will cooperate with the probe.

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