NHTSA criticized for handling of ignition switch issue

A report from the Transportation Department's inspector general slams federal investigators for ignoring warnings about problems with General Motors ignition switches.

The report says that National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigators failed to follow-up on complaints going back to 2003.

The faulty switch allowed the ignition to slip from the "on" to the "off" position in some GM cars -- which disabled power steering, power brakes and airbags, sometimes while the car was still moving.

GM recalled 9 million vehicles last year because of the switch, but not before 110 deaths and more than 200 injuries were reported.

The report also said investigators weren't properly trained or supervised and that they didn't follow standard practices when analyzing data.

Click here to read the Inspector General's report/statement to US Senate committee