Federal Regulators Slow to Address Keyless Ignition Safety Issue

Aug. 28, 2015—At least 13 people have died and numerous others have been injured from carbon monoxide poisoning related to keyless auto ignitions, a recent class-action lawsuit claims. Despite complaints, federal regulators have failed to implement changes to address the safety problem, according to Scripps Washington Bureau investigation.

The deaths have been linked to people inadvertently leaving their cars running in the garage due to the keyless ignition technology.

Some auto manufacturers have introduced an automatic shut-off feature on new models, but federal response to the issue has been slow. Documents obtained by Scripps from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) revealed that the agency did not assign a case where a woman died from carbon monoxide poison due to her keyless ignition until a year had passed and similar deaths occurred.