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General Motors has agreed to pay a huge fine to the U.S. government for not acting quickly enough in recalling a faulty ignition switch that plagued several of its vehicles, reports CNBC. The auto manufacturer is expected to pay $35 million in response to a probe being conducted by the Department of Transportation.

GM employees reportedly knew of the broken ignition switch as early as 2004, but didn't issue a recall until February of this year. The flaw caused vehicles to suddenly shut off while driving, and has been linked to at least 13 deaths.