The Justice Department has opened an investigation to decide whether GM broke any laws with its slow response to an issue with ignition switches in compact cars from model years 2003 to 2007, according to the Associated Press.

The investigation was first reported by Bloomberg News. The issue has been linked to at least 31 crashes and 13 deaths.

The probe is being handled by the U.S. Attorney's Office in New York, according to a person briefed on the matter, who has asked not to be identified because the investigation has yet to be made public, according to AP.

Spokesmen for the Justice Department and GM have yet to comment.

The recall affects the 2005-'07 Chevrolet Cobalt, 2006-'07 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice, 2007 Pontiac G5 and Saturn Sky and 2003-'07 Saturn Ion.

GM confirmed that the affected vehicle's ignition switch may accidentally move from the "run" position to the "accessory" or "off" position, causing a loss of power.

The issue could cause the airbags not to deploy in the event of a crash.

The main issue with GM is that the automaker supposedly waited a decade to recall 1.6 million compact vehicles worldwide. The automaker didn't issue a recall for vehicles who could have faulty ignition switches until last month.

Committees in the House and Senate are also attempting to figure out why the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration didn't take action before this year, according to AP.

On Feb. 13, GM announced the recall of over 780,000 Cobalts and Pontiac G5s from the 2005-07 model years. Just two weeks later, it added 842,000 Saturn Ion compacts from the 2003-2007 model years, and Chevrolet HHR SUVs and Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky sports cars from the 2006-2007 model years, to the recall.

The automaker has said it will replace ignition switches in affected vehicles, free of charge.

A review of a NHTSA database shows that drivers started complaining about the issue as early as 2005, just after the then new Chevrolet Cobalt became available for purchase.

In 2000, Congress passed a legislation requiring all automakers to report any safety issues to the NHTSA within five days of learning about the issue. GM faces a fine of up to $35 million for a delayed response, according to the NHTSA.

GM said in recent statement that it's cooperating with both the NHTSA and the House committee, according to AP.

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