It’s a simple fix: Just take the key(s) to the dealer. They don’t do any work on the switch, just the key. If you ignore the recall notice, you’re barred from a remedy. They send more than one notice.
It wasn’t just the key slot that was the problem.
Internally in the switch assembly itself the detent plunger was changed.
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014/06/05/business/The-Fault-in-the-Cobalt-Ignition-Switch.html
I own a GM car,but is an older one,so is not affected by this recall. Based on what I know about the recall,I don’t think they’ve really fixed it,just (maybe) made it less likely to happen. What does it take to make an ignition lock correctly? Car manufacturers,including GM,have been doing it for years.
Modifying the key was a stopgap measure until they could get people in to replace the switch itself.