After taking a closer look at data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), Reuters suggests the frequency of fatal accidents in vehicles with defective ignition switches was much higher than competing models in the same segments. Including only single-car accidents in which no front airbags deployed and at least one front occupant was killed, the analysis found 5.9 such accidents per 100,000 Saturn Ion compacts sold. The Chevrolet Cobalt logged 4.1 crashes fitting the scenario across the same number of vehicles.
In contrast, the Ford Focus only registered 2.9 similar accidents per 100,000 vehicles. The Honda Civic showed just 1.6, while the Toyota Corolla was tied to just 1.0.
Citing the generally higher rates for accidents consistent with an accidental ignition-key movement to the ‘accessory’ or ‘off’ position while driving, the analysis estimates that at least 74 people may have been killed due to the defective ignition switches.
Critics have suggested the company is underestimating the number of deaths by excluding accidents in which the ignition switch was not explicitly cited as a contributing factor in investigations. The company has promised to be open following an internal investigation, however specific details regarding the death count have not yet been fully revealed.
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