General Motors announced on May 8 that its internal tests show that vehicles involved in the controversial ignition-switch recall are safe to drive "with only a single key on the key ring and the key fob removed."
GM conducted over 80 different tests over supposed "extremely challenging road conditions" on the vehicle, according to a company release.
Tests included extreme ride-and-handling scenarios, potholes and panic stops.
GM recalled 2.6 million cars earlier this year for ignition switches that could turn off while the car was still moving. The recall comprises the 2005-'07 Chevrolet Cobalt, 2006-'07 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice, 2007 Pontiac G5 and Saturn Sky and 2003-'07 Saturn Ion.
A YouTube video featuring company Vice President of Global Vehicle Safety Jeff Boyer explaining the tests and telling customers what they should do if their vehicle was recalled.
Boyer says that consumers should only use GM-issued keys after their local dealer finishes with the necessary ignition-switch repair, according to the video.
The news came the same day that Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said that the recalled vehicles were safe to drive in letters to Senators Edward Markey of Massachusetts and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, which were delivered this week.
The recall has been linked to at least 13 fatalities and 31 crashes.
The NHTSA has also reviewed GM's tests and "and believes the information supports GM's position that the subject vehicles are safe to operate," as long as the ignition key isn't attached to other items, according to Reuters.
Ignition-switch repairs usually take somewhere around 80 to 90 minutes, according to the automaker.
Owners with affected vehicles can receive more information by calling the GM Customer Engagement Center at 1-800-222-1012.
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