Congress to hold hearing on GM ignition switch problem

WASHINGTON, March 11 (UPI) -- A U.S. congressional committee says it will look into the response by GM and safety regulators to reports of an ignition switch problem blamed for 13 deaths.

Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich., chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, said a hearing will be held next week, CNN reported. He said the panel will examine the response by the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration as well as the company.

"Did the company or regulators miss something that could have flagged these problems sooner? If the answer is yes, we must learn how and why this happened," Upton said. "Americans deserve to have the peace of mind that they are safe behind the wheel."

The company and NHTSA have launched their own investigations, CNN said. GM recalled 1.4 million vehicles in February.

Ignition problems in some vehicles apparently caused the engine to shut off unexpectedly. Investigators say the failures caused at least 31 crashes and 13 deaths.