New Camaro Recall - Ignition Switch System / Key Fob

[brt3]

The enquiring minds at Jalopnik wanted to know...

ORIGINAL STORY HERE

This Is How Hard You Have To Hit A Camaro Key To Turn It Off

Patrick George
6/13/14 2:01pm



Earlier today General Motors announced they will recall all the 511,528 current-generation Chevrolet Camaros on the road because they say a driver can inadvertently switch the car off by hitting the key fob. It turns out I have a 2014 Camaro SS press car in my garage right now, so I went out to see if I could duplicate the problem.

The short answer is yes, I was able to turn off the Camaro by hitting it with my knee. But there are some caveats involved with doing so that I need to explain.

First, I really like the Camaro SS 1LE I'm driving for the next week. It's quick, it looks great, it's got an excellent shifter, it handles pretty well for its size, and sounds excellent; it's already on my short list for "Best Cars I've Driven In 2014." So I was bummed to learn about the recall, but I wanted to see if this problem with the ignition could easily be duplicated in normal conditions.

Actually, it's not a problem with the ignition at all, according to GM; that part meets all their engineering standards and is unrelated to the "ignition switch from hell" currently plaguing the Cobalt and other models.



The problem with the Camaro is its key fob. It's a big, long, rectangular "switchblade" thing that sticks out pretty far from the ignition tumbler, and it's what could get jostled loose by your knee. When you take your Camaro in to get serviced under this recall, GM will replace that key with one that is separate from the fob. 12

But when I took the car to a D.C. Municipal Services parking lot this afternoon (a few cops were parked there too, which is why I didn't do burnouts afterward) I was skeptical that I would really be able to knock the key loose with my knee.

Sure enough though, and to my great surprise, I was able to do it after a few tries. Take a look at this crappy iPhone video I made and see for yourself.

WATCH VIDEO HERE

Alright, onto those caveats I mentioned. At least based on where I have my steering wheel situated, I don't think this problem is easy to replicate in normal driving.

I was sitting a little lower than normal when the car was parked, and I was also deliberately trying to hit the key fob with my knee — how often is that going to happen to you when you're on the road? Probably not often, if ever.

I also had to hit it pretty hard. A few lighter attempts at first didn't do anything, so I don't think it's going to get knocked loose if you just tap it. Also, I've driven several cars where the fob is long like this and sticks out; it may not be a GM-specific issue.

In normal driving, my knee was about four or five inches from the fob itself, so I feel like you're unlikely to hit it if you run over a bump or something like that. I kept asking myself, would this have happened if I didn't know about the issue and wasn't trying to do it on purpose? I don't believe so. But in the event of a bad crash, maybe your leg could fly up and hit it.



Therein lies the real problem, though: like the Cobalt before it, if the Camaro is off or in "accessory" mode, the airbags will not work, according to GM. Remember, that was the primary reason 13 deaths were linked to the Cobalt ignition switch defect.

So far three crashes with four minor injuries have been potentially linked to this issue, GM says. As I've said before, while recalls may look bad in the news, it's good that they're taking care of these safety issues and not leaving problematic cars on the road.

Should this put you off Camaro ownership? Nah, I don't think so. I plan on continuing to drive mine while I have it — it's too damn fun not to — but I'll just be a little more mindful of this when I'm behind the wheel. And if you own the car, yeah, you're gonna want to get the key swapped with the new one.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go find a better parking lot for those burnouts.

If you own a Camaro, and you've encountered this problem or think it's a non-issue, tell us in the comments.

[Scotty D]

I feel your pain ! I tried to by my 1le a month ago and couldn't get financed ! I waited and finally got the finance and I can't to it home ! If it was a month ago I'd have it home . This is so frustrating

[Zfatuated]

I just called the local Chevy dealer. Asked for my VIN, told me there is no recall

[nyrfan]

Originally Posted by jcamaro37f

Yeah we're getting screwed. I remember researching the trade-in value of the camaro and that was a big factor in practicality when choosing camaro.

It was a big problem with me that my BMW was worth nothing on trade in- only being a few years old.

I wish GM would take care of us...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Man some people are so dramatic. It's a freaking key recall, there will be ZERO devaluation!

[Mikebrinda]

These automotive publications still have a "monthly to press" mentality in the Internet age. I wish one of them would use their easy access to inside contacts and give us what they know about the recall's status, even if the update is, "There is no timeline yet established, no priority for which cars will receive new keys first, etc" that is itself an update.

[jcamaro37f]

Originally Posted by nyrfan

Man some people are so dramatic. It's a freaking key recall, there will be ZERO devaluation!

I'd have to disagree.. you think someone who just heard of the recall will be scurrying to the dealer to buy one?

Low demand=low prices=low trade in value.

Dramatic? How about putting deep thought into things? I'm putting thought into each investment I make - not sure if you do the same, probably not since you think I'm being dramatic.

All the general populous hears is recall, key or not, it stains the name.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[nyrfan]

Originally Posted by jcamaro37f

I'd have to disagree.. you think someone who just heard of the recall will be scurrying to the dealer to buy one?

Low demand=low prices=low trade in value.

Dramatic? How about putting deep thought into things? I'm putting thought into each investment I make - not sure if you do the same, probably not since you think I'm being dramatic.

All the general populous hears is recall, key or not, it stains the name.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I hate to break the news to you but a car is NEVER (or should I say RARELY) an investment, a car is 99.9% of the time a depreciating asset. As for the recall, it "may" hamper" sales for a short period of time (because of the stop sale) but in the long run I see little to no damage as most people won't have even heard of the recall. Besides, how many cars are NOT recalled these days?

[jcamaro37f]

Originally Posted by nyrfan

I hate to break the news to you but a car is NEVER (or should i say RARELY) an investment, a car is a 99% of the time a depreciating asset. As for the recall, it "may" hamper" sales for a short period of time but in the long run I see little to no damage as most people won't have even heard of the recall. Besides, how many cars are NOT recalled these days?

I realize that I know it is a depreciating asset, but I still put money into it and would like as much as I can back you know?

I'm just hoping the best for us all.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[jeffa]

Originally Posted by jcamaro37f

I'd have to disagree.. you think someone who just heard of the recall will be scurrying to the dealer to buy one?

Low demand=low prices=low trade in value.

Dramatic? How about putting deep thought into things? I'm putting thought into each investment I make - not sure if you do the same, probably not since you think I'm being dramatic.

All the general populous hears is recall, key or not, it stains the name.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You really think people are going to stop buying Camaro's because of this asinine key issue? 4 instances (with no specifics) out of 500K cars does not make the value of the car drop.

Sure didn't stop people from buying Toyota/Lexus when they had their accelerator pedal issues....didn't really hurt trade in values in the long run.

This crap will die down over time and will soon be old news....

[nyrfan]

Originally Posted by jcamaro37f

I realize that I know it is a depreciating asset, but I still put money into it and would like as much as I can back you know?

I'm just hoping the best for us all.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Don't think or worry about it, just drive and enjoy your car.

[jcamaro37f]

Originally Posted by nyrfan

Don't think or worry about it, just drive and enjoy your car.

You're right. The over-analytical legal side of me kicks in once in a while. But I'll drive on, thanks.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[nyrfan]

Originally Posted by jcamaro37f

You're right. The over-analytical legal side of me kicks in once in a while. But I'll drive on, thanks.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[McRat]

It is not listed on GM Si yet.

[Darwood]

Originally Posted by jeffa

You really think people are going to stop buying Camaro's because of this asinine key issue? 4 instances (with no specifics) out of 500K cars does not make the value of the car drop.

Sure didn't stop people from buying Toyota/Lexus when they had their accelerator pedal issues....didn't really hurt trade in values in the long run.

This crap will die down over time and will soon be old news....

It's not a key issue, it's an "ignition" issue. People are not rational and will not realize the rediculousness of the recall. They hear ignition and think Cobalt.

Also I'm able to purchase a 1LE because of my trade in. In 5 years it's lost 1/3 of its value. A car that's 2/3 its value after five years is nothing to dismiss. Resale value does matter financially.