NEW YORK — General Motors is recalling more than half a million Chevrolet Camaros because their keys can suddenly turn off the ignition when bumped and shut off the engine — a problem similar to the defect that led the automaker to recall millions of small cars this year.
The recall covers about 510,000 Camaros from the 2010 to 2014 model years.
GM said that a driver’s knee could bump the key fob, inadvertently causing the ignition lock cylinder to switch out of the “run” position. The key is released from the fob, like a switchblade, by pushing a small button. The turning of the key, GM said, could result in a “reduction or loss of power.” The automaker said that the problem would most likely affect drivers sitting close to the steering column.
The automaker said it was aware of three crashes and four injuries that may be related to the defect in the Camaros.
GM said the Camaro’s switch was of a different design than the faulty ignition switch in older Chevrolet Cobalts, Saturn Ions, and other small cars that GM has linked to 13 deaths and 54 crashes.