House Report Blames NHTSA for Role in GM's Ignition Switch Defect

A congressional report is placing blame on federal auto safety regulators for failing to identify the General Motors ignition switch defect that resulted in at least 19 deaths. In the new report, the House Energy and Commerce committee says the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration had ample information to identify a potential safety defect as early as 2007. It says the NHTSA failed to follow up on information it was provided and also lacked an understanding of the advanced vehicle systems that were implemented in response to its own standards. The committee's report says it does not appear the NHTSA has since taken any corrective actions.