Image/Jesse Zheng, Pexels

Ever have the dream where you’re halfway through a semester of college courses before you realize there’s a class you signed up for and accidentally neglected to attend the entire time? I still have that dream, and I haven’t been in college since…it’s not important.

I never actually forgot to go to class, but I also can’t forget the overwhelming sense of dread I felt in those moments after waking as I tried to assess whether I made a critical error. It’s a feeling someone at General Motors might have experienced after it was discovered that a flip-style Camaro key fob the company recalled five years ago was still available for purchase through the automaker’s online parts catalog, according to a Consumer Reports story.

GM initially recalled the key fobs in June 2014, citing a design flaw that could allow drivers to bump the key out of position during operation, causing the engine to turn off and disabling crucial components like brakes, power steering, and airbags. (If you’re curious how hard it is to actually do this, Jalopnik performed its own test during the initial recall phase.)

Despite issuing the recall—which impacted owners of more than 511,000 2010-15 Camaros across North America—and including a more traditional design with new Camaros it sold, the company straight-up forgot to stop selling the key fob as an OE replacement.

According to The Drive, the issue went unnoticed by GM management for five years until an employee discovered the problem and notified them through its internal “Speak Up For Safety” program. GM contacted the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in late September to issue another recall affecting 10,758 Camaro owners who may have purchased a replacement flip-type key.

The Drive reported that GM also immediately issued a stop-delivery order to dealers in possession of the key fobs. In an email to Consumer Reports, GM spokesman Dan Flores said the company is not aware of any actual crashes, injuries, or fatalities that resulted from the design flaw.

If you have one of the key fobs in question, you can reach out to Chevy’s customer service department for assistance.

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Author: Will Schertz

Will is a contributing writer for OnAllCylinders. His automotive writing career stretches back longer than a decade and includes a stint as senior reporter for one of the tire industry’s largest trade publications. He enjoys long walks on the beach, romantic candlelit dinners, and thinly veiled sarcasm. Will lives with his beautiful wife and two small humans who steal his food and "need" more LEGOs.