DETROIT (AP) — General Motors plans to ask a federal bankruptcy judge to shield the company from legal claims for conduct that happened before its 2009 bankruptcy.

The automaker's strategy is in a motion filed late Tuesday in a Corpus Christi, Texas, federal court case.

GM has said at least 13 deaths have been linked to a faulty ignition switch that can knock out the vehicle's engine, power steering, power brakes and air bags.

Some 2.6 million GM cars are being recalled.

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