General Motors said it has now shipped thousands of kits consisting of ignition switches, ignition cylinders and key sets for cars covered by the safety recall.

Letters were mailed last week to about 1.4 million owners of 2003-2007 models, advising them to contact a GM dealer to make an appointment for the repairs. The repair work should take about 90 minutes to complete.

Owners of 2008-2011 models subject to the recall will receive a letter in early May confirming their inclusion in the recall. Another letter alerting them when parts are available will follow, GM said.

GM’s 4,300 dealer service departments are replacing ignition switches that may unintentionally move from the “run” position to the “accessory” or “off” position with a corresponding reduction or loss of power. The defective parts have been linked to 13 deaths.

Dealers also are replacing ignition cylinders that can allow removal of the ignition key while the engine is running.

The vehicles covered are:

• 2003-2007 Saturn Ion

• 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt  

• 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice

• 2007-2010 Pontiac G5

• 2007-2010 Saturn Sky

• 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR.

Until recall repairs are made, GM is advising vehicle owners to remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. If there is a key fob, it also should be removed from the key ring. Owners of manual transmission vehicles should be sure the ignition is in the “Off” position and set to reverse gear with the parking brake set before removing the key. Owners of vehicles with automatic transmission should be sure the vehicle is in “Park” before removing the key.