The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration sent General Motors a 27-page special order demanding more specifics regarding the recall of more than 1.3 million units because of ignition problems.

According to the order, GM has until April 3 to give NHTSA answers and clarifications to more than 100 questions regarding how the automaker handled the investigation and subsequent recall of certain 2003 through 2007 model-year vehicles to correct a condition with the ignition switch that may allow the key to unintentionally move or switch to the “accessory” or “off” position, turning off the engine and most of the electrical components on the vehicle.

“Failure to respond fully or truthfully to this special order may result in a referral to the United States Department of Justice for a civil action to compel responses, and may subject GM to civil penalties of up to $7,000 per day and up to a maximum penalty of $35 million,” NHTSA said in the order posted online on Wednesday.

According to the order, NHSTA asked for precise details about how the defect condition involving the subject switch moving from the run to the accessory or off or an interim position results in, or may result in, the disablement of one or both frontal airbags or can otherwise affect in any way other components or functionality of a passive safety system intended for occupant protection during a vehicle crash. Federal officials also wanted to know exactly how many owner complaints GM received about these vehicles.

In a message to Auto Remarketing, GM spokesperson Alan Adler said, “We are fully cooperating with NHTSA and we welcome the opportunity to help the agency have a full understanding of the facts. In addition to getting NHTSA the information they need, we are doing what we can now to ensure our customers’ safety and peace of mind. We want our customers to know that today’s GM is committed to fixing this problem in a manner that earns their trust.”

Along with an apology from the automaker’s North American president, General Motors expanded this noteworthy recall on Feb. 25. In addition to 2005 through 2007 Chevrolet Cobalts and Pontiac G5 as well as the Pontiac Pursuit that’s sold in Canada only, GM separately recalled 2003 through 2007 Saturn Ions, 2006 through 2007 Chevrolet HHRs, and 2006 through 2007 Pontiac Solstice and 2007 Saturn Sky models.

The affected U.S. vehicle population, including those vehicles first recalled Feb. 13, totals 1,367,146.

“Ensuring our customers’ safety is our first order of business,” GM North America president Alan Batey said at the time. “We are deeply sorry and we are working to address this issue as quickly as we can.”

GM acknowledged this expanded vehicle population raised the number of reported incidents involving frontal crashes, in which the recall condition may have caused or contributed to the non-deployment of the frontal airbags, to 31 involving 13 front-seat fatalities.

Kelley Blue Book senior analyst Karl Brauer wasn’t surprised by NHTSA’s recent actions, especially when an automaker is having to discuss fatalities associated with its vehicles.

“NHTSA’s scrutiny of GM's latest recall reflects the heightened level of accountability being placed on automakers,” Brauer said. “While the timeframe suggests this issue occurred before GM’s restructuring, it’s clear the government will hold current management responsible if it finds a lack of urgency and transparency.”

In a message to company employees on Tuesday, new GM chief executive officer Mary Barra emphasized the quality of the OEM’s current product line while looking to distance the company from these models it no longer manufacturers.

“Of course, recalls of this size and scope always take time to play out. Various other parties will naturally be involved, and GM will cooperate fully. You can expect additional developments in the near term,” Barra said.

“That has led some to ask if the recall of these out-of-production vehicles might affect our company’s reputation or sales of our current models,” she continued. “My answer is simple: That’s not the issue. The vehicles we make today are the best in memory and I’m confident that they will do fine, on their own merits. And our company’s reputation won’t be determined by the recall itself, but by how we address the problem going forward.

“What is important is taking great care of our customers and showing that it really is a new day at GM,” Barra went on to say.

“While I deeply regret the circumstances that brought us to this point, I appreciate how today’s GM has responded so far. We have much more work ahead of us and I’m confident we will do the right thing for our customers,” she added.

Back in February, GM submitted to the NHTSA a detailed chronology associated with its initial recall of the ignition switch torque performance condition in Chevrolet Cobalts and Pontiac G5s and Pursuits. The chronology outlines events that happened during the time that elapsed between receiving the first field reports and issuing a recall.

“The chronology shows that the process employed to examine this phenomenon was not as robust as it should have been,” Batey said. “GM is committed to doing business differently and better. We will take an unflinching look at what happened and apply lessons learned here to improve going forward.”

GM said franchised dealers will replace the ignition switch to prevent the unintentional or inadvertent key movement. 

“Until this correction is performed, customers should use only the ignition key with nothing else on the key ring. As always, customers should drive responsibly and use their safety belts,” the automaker said.