OEMs sued over keyless ignitions

Now, 10 auto makers are sued over deadly keyless ignition in the US with a lawsuit claiming that the defects in the system have resulted in 13 deaths.

The vehicle is not supposed to start if the key fob isn’t nearby, but according to the complaint there is a defect in the system that allows them to it continue to run even after the fob itself is no longer close by.

“The automakers failed to properly consider the ramifications of eliminating the physical and psychological connection between the vehicle and physical keys”, the complaint says.

“Millions of American drivers are driving cars that have a defect that can kill them”, said Martis Alex, lead attorney on the lawsuit at the New York firm Labaton Sucharow.

Many latest cars are equipped with the keyless ignition and it may prove to be deadly if adequate safety measures are not implemented.

They also accused the automakers of failing to install an cheap feature that would automatically turn off unattended engines after a period of time. That investigative report, which is being released later today on Scripps Websites and television stations nationally, has confirmed at least 13 carbon monoxide poisoning deaths linked to keyless ignition vehicles after drivers inadvertently left their cars running in enclosed spaces such as garages. Notably, Ford and GM filed patents that included language about preventing carbon monoxide poisoning – but, according to the suit, though the two automakers “openly recognized the unsafe consequences associated with keyless fobs…” The investigation examines years of delays and inaction by both automakers and federal regulators, who themselves declared the increased risk of carbon monoxide poisoning in keyless cars “a clear safety problem” in 2011.

The defendants include BMW Group, including Mini; Daimler A.G.’s Mercedes-Benz; Fiat Chrysler Automobiles; Ford Motor Co.; General Motors Co.; and Honda Motor Co., including Acura.

They are also seeking monetary compensation. A U.S. Department of Transportation spokesman declined to comment on the NHTSA’s behalf. None of the other carmakers had an immediate comment.

The lawsuit was filed in the same court where Toyota defended lawsuits claiming that its vehicles accelerated unintentionally. It is unclear whether he will be assigned the keyless ignition case.