Former GM CEO: Barra was unaware of ignition switch defect

Former General Motors CEO Dan Akerson says that the company’s current top executive, Mary Barra, was totally unaware of an ignition switch problem that has been blamed for at least 13 deaths and prompted the recall of more than 2.4 million vehicles.

Just two-weeks after taking over the CEO position from Akerson, Barra was reportedly blindsided by the news that GM was in the midst of a major safety crisis. A faulty ignition switch, which had been red-flagged years earlier, had been linked to several crashes, including 13 fatalities.

Because of GM’s inaction and the seriousness of the recall, Barra was called to Washington to face an inquiry from the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. Barra maintained that she was only informed of the ignition switch issue in late January, but many questioned how the automaker’s top executive – who was also a 34-year company veteran – was left in the dark on such a serious matter.

Barra’s claim gained more credence this week, though, as Akerson broke his silence and stated in an interview with Forbes that she was unaware of the problem.

“Mary has said it: The moment she became aware of the problem, as I would expect, she confronted it,” he said. “She didn’t know about it. I bet my life on it.”

However, Akerson made no mention if he was aware of the ignition switch defect during his time as GM CEO. That information could eventually come to light as at least one Senator is pushing to bring GM’s past CEOs to Capitol Hill to answer questions about the massive recall.