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Recalls raise questions about ignition switches

By WTOP Staff

DEE-ANN DURBIN
AP Auto Writers

DETROIT (AP) — General Motors issued a new round of recalls for faulty ignition switches this week, but the company says the problem is different than the ignition switch defect that sparked recalls in February. At the same time, Chrysler is recalling vehicles for a similar ignition switch defect.

Here’s some background on the recalls and information for drivers who may be concerned.

Q. There have been a lot of recalls lately for ignition switch problems. What’s wrong?

A. In all of the recalled vehicles, the ignition switch can slip out of the “run” position and into the “accessory” or “off” position. It happens for different reasons. In some GM cars, the switch didn’t meet specifications and was too loose. In others, the switch meets specifications but jarring — from the road or even the driver’s knee — or weight on the key chain can tug the ignition switch out of position. In any case, the outcome is the same. If the car is in “accessory” or “off,” the engine will stall, power steering and power brakes won’t work and the air bags won’t deploy in the event of a crash.

Q. What should I do if the key slips out of the “run” position while I’m driving?

A. Look for the safest way off the road. That usually means heading for the right shoulder. Don’t press the brakes too quickly; let the car’s momentum help you navigate through high-speed traffic. Flick on the turn signal or emergency flashers to alert other vehicles. The steering will still work, but it will be harder to use. You will also need to push harder on the brakes.

Q. I drive one of the recalled cars, but the dealer doesn’t have enough parts to repair it right away. What should I do?

A. GM says its cars are safe to drive as long as customers remove all items from their key rings, including the key fob. For the 2.6 million vehicles involved in the original February recall, GM is providing rental cars to customers until repairs are made. But it’s not providing rentals for vehicles in its other recalls. Meanwhile, Chrysler says it’s unaware of any injuries related to its recall, but suggests that people remove everything from their key chains.

Q. Is there something wrong with GM’s ignition switches?

A. Definitely in the case of the 2.6 million small cars such as the Chevrolet Cobalt that started the recalls. They went into production even though their switches were too easy to turn and didn’t meet GM specifications. On the other switch recalls, GM says the problem is with the keys or fobs dangling from the key ring. But experts say the switches are to blame. They should be designed so they can’t be inadvertently knocked out of the “run” position.

Q. If I don’t drive a GM or Chrysler vehicle, am I OK? Or is this a wider problem?

A. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has been investigating ignition switch performance across the industry since the GM recalls were announced. That broader investigation is what led to the Chrysler recall.

Q. I’d like more details. Which vehicles are involved in which recall?

A. GM has issued the following recalls in North America:

— 11.5 million large cars because the key can tug the ignitions out of the “run” position. Three separate recalls — all issued in June — included the 2000-2014 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo; 1997-2005 Chevrolet Malibu; 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and older Oldsmobile, Buick and Cadillac models. More information can be found here: https://recalls.gm.com

— 2.6 million small cars because the ignition switch, which has a faulty design, can slip out of the “run” position. The recall, issued in February, includes the 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt; 2007-2010 Pontiac G5; and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion. More information can be found here: http://www.gmignitionupdate.com/index.html

— 511,529 Chevrolet Camaros because the driver’s knee can hit the key and cause the ignition to slip out of the “run” position. The recall includes the 2010-2014 Camaro.

Chrysler has issued the following recall in North America:

— 695,957 minivans and SUVs because the ignition switch can slip out of the “run” position. The recall includes the 2007-2009 Chrysler Town & Country, 2007-2009 Dodge Grand Caravan and 2007-2009 Dodge Journey. Chrysler recalled and repaired 2010 models of the same vehicles three years ago. Customers with questions can call 1-800-853-1403.

____

Connie Cass contributed to this report from Washington, D.C.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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