General Motors announced plans to replace the ignition switch in all model years up to 2011 of its Chevrolet Cobalt and HHR, Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and Saturn Ion and Sky in the U.S., since faulty switches may have been used to repair the vehicles.

The parts are at the center of the company’s ignition switch recall, which originally extended through the 2007 model year. About 95,000 faulty switches were sold to dealers and aftermarket wholesalers. Of those, about 90,000 were used to repair older vehicles that were repaired before they were recalled in February, GM said. 

Because it’s not feasible to track down all the parts, GM has decided to recall 824,000 more vehicles in the U.S. to ensure that every car has a current ignition switch. GM noted that this new group of vehicles hasn’t been linked to any reports of air bag failure arising from the ignition slipping into the “accessory” or “off” position.

“We are taking no chances with safety,” said GM CEO Mary Barra. “Trying to locate several thousand switches in a population of 2.2 million vehicles and distributed to thousands of retailers isn’t practical. Out of an abundance of caution, we are recalling the rest of the model years. We are going to provide our customers with the peace of mind they deserve and expect by getting the new switches into all the vehicles.”

GM records indicate the service parts may have been used for ignition repairs in the following vehicles:

• 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt

• 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR

• 2008-2010 Pontiac Solstice

• 2008-2010 Pontiac G5

• 2008-2010 Saturn Sky.

Owners who may have had a suspect part installed will receive a letter the week of April 21. GM dealers will replace their ignition switch free of charge as parts become available.

Customers who paid to have their ignition switches replaced will be eligible for reimbursement, the automaker said.

Information on the ignition switch recall is available at www.gmignitionupdate.com.