GM Hit With Class-Action Lawsuit Over Alleged 8-Speed Transmission Defect
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General Motors faces a new class-action lawsuit after owners claimed the automaker’s 8-speed automatic transmission houses a major defect. Per the information posted to Classaction.org, drivers have experienced violent shakes, jerks, or a “hard shift” when selecting a gear with the automatic transmission.
The information also says 13 technical service bulletins have been filed about 8-speed automatic transmission problems, though none of them have remedied the problem absolutely.
The technical name for this transmission is either the 8L90 or 8L45 automatic transmission, which is found in numerous GM vehicles. The transmission pairs to cars on a rear-wheel-drive architecture, meaning owners of GM’s sports cars, luxury sedans, trucks, and SUVs have the 8-speed automatic transmission in question.
Specifically, the transmission is found in:
- 2015-2019 Chevrolet Silverado
- 2017-2019 Chevrolet Colorado
- 2015-2019 Chevrolet Corvette
- 2016-2019 Chevrolet Camaro
- 2015-2017 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV
- 2016-2019 Cadillac ATS and ATS-V
- 2016-2019 Cadillac CTS and CTS-V
- 2016-2019 Cadillac CT6
- 2015-2019 GMC Sierra
- 2015-2019 GMC Yukon and Yukon XL
- 2017-2019 GMC Canyon.
The problem is most common when a driver accelerates of decelerates and the transmission moves to shift a gear. Drivers reported a hesitation, then a shudder or jerk with the gear change. However, it’s not exclusive to gear changes as some owners reported the issue within a single gear. According to the information compiled so far, some drivers said the event has been so violent it felt like another car had hit them.
One owner reported that moving from the “reverse” to “drive” gear was so violent that the car nearly drove through a garage door.
It’s worth noting the NHTSA has also received numerous complaints about the transmission found in the number of GM vehicles. The lawsuit claims the issue’s source is the torque converter, which may be exposed to undue friction. Eventually, the gears may not function properly as metal shavings move throughout the transmission. This is not a definite conclusion, but an alleged issue in the lawsuit. One NHTSA complaint does cite a failed torque converter after 16,000 miles in a GMC Canyon.
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Source: Classaction.org
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Had a 2018 Colorado. Numerous trips to dealer for transmission issues fuel pump failure contacted gm consumer support that was a sad joke they told me they couldn’t help me to deal with dealer that couldn’t help because GM didn’t have a cure. Traded it for a Toyota and lost 10 grand. No more gm
Well as a consumer class action lawsuits really aren’t good for anyone but the lawyers. BUT personally I’m glad GM is finally going to have to answer for these eight speeds. At least SOMEBODY will get some satisfaction.
For me – right now I’m at one torque converter replacement, two full flushes, and two PCM reprograms. Still experiencing the same problems that started at 16,000 miles. My technician says the valve body is slowly dying, but when he hit the GM tech line up they will not authorize replacing the part. I did get a second reprogram that did nothing. Further, based on the tech line response the dealer advised the next time I bring it in I’ll need to prepay a ”diagnostic fee” for them to attempt an in-warranty repair.
The maddening thing (besides dealing with that joke ”GM Customer Care” executive office 800 number) is that there are multiple TSBs out on my two issues, and GM will not authorize action in my case. I’m stuck with hard shifts, delays in engaging gears, holding a gear only upshifting at an unnaturally high RPM at part throttle, and lately a transmission that sometimes acts like it’s in neutral when leaving from a dead stop such as a traffic light or stop sign before taking off.
Now I’m stuck with a three and a half year old car that probably has a four page Carfax that will destroy any ability to retain any resale value. I’ve been brand loyal – this is our sixth Corvette, but I’m done here. I just do not understand why GM will not fix this car. It seems all they are interested in is to band-aid it out of warranty.
I’m happy for you guys that had their cars/trucks successfully repaired. I really wish I could get the same.
Have a 6 speed transmission in a 2013 Buick Enclave.
It is now out if warranty. I took it to Randy Reed Buick twice when the car was under warranty and told the the transmission has issues. They said that if something is wrong with the transmission the check engine light would come on. The check engine light never came in. Now I need a new transmission as the car shakes and shudders so bad that I do not drive it
I just got my 2015 Traverse back from the dealership. Barely out of warranty at just under 86,000 miles, but GM agreed to pay 60%. So I paid $1400, & then sime other issues popped up after they rebuilt the tranny. The torque converter had metal shavings, no warning light sensor at all, same or similar symtoms as your vehicle. The parts that were damaged in the transmission were the 3 wave plates. Apparently those plates were made of a Chinese metal that was very inferior and week and cheap. Plus the way the cooling of the transmission fluid is designed on the vehicle is not sufficient enough either. Unfortunately in my case, since I got a 2-year 24,000 mile warranty on the transmission work I will void the warranty if I put an external transmission cooler on my Traverse. If you can’t afford to replace a transmission, I will get rid of that thing and get yourself like a Toyota 4Runner or a Toyota Highlander.
At the moment, my Traverse appears to be running fine right now with the transmission work they did, but my optimism isnt all that high, and the only reason I did pay anything to get it fixed this because it’s paid for already and I don’t want another car payment. If you do get it fixed and take it to a transmission place there is an upgraded radiator manufactured by OSC Automotive that is considered a heavy duty radiator for the Traverse. If you have the money available I would replace your OEM radiator with that one and still at an external transmission cooler. This osc Automotive radiator that is considered heavy duty I believe is meant for the traverses with the towing package. But why not put it on the regular Traverse or your vehicle if it’s already having heating issues. Good luck! I’ve been learning and doing research as the problems keep coming up on my Traverse and I believe your vehicle is similar to mine.
We had a 2016 Tahoe, everything went wrong with that car. We started noticing the transmission hesitating at first, then it graduated to a shudder, then finally total transmission failure at 90,000 miles. We replaced the transmission (GM covered half after months of back and forth) Then About a month later the catalytic converter went, then finally the engine a month after that. We rebuilt the engine and traded it in for a Toyota Hylander. All total we probably put close to $30,000 into that car for repairs. I loved the look of the Tahoe and still do, but it is the biggest lemon on the road! Buyer beware!
Well my 2016 Camaro is now in the dealership shop where I purchased it new 12/31/2016 it has had the torque converter changed the transmission flushes and fluid replaced with full synthetic fluid.about 3 weeks ago at 34,700 miles now 500 miles later it’s back in the same shop with the same shudder and jerk and now if your stopped at a stoplight occasionally it will lunge while your holding the brake.ohh and its driven 99% of the time by my 47 year old wife..and she babies the car!!
I could never figure out what drives GM to do a recall ?
So like the Cadillac SRX this, the headlights will burn out while driving without warning, I would think putting human life in jeopardy.
Or the 8 speed transmission lunging at a stop sign or in a garage, I would think putting human life in jeopardy.
Or the old news now, 2 cent ignition spring, that was a recall years after knowing the problem, which put human life in jeopardy.
But now GM is recalling, according to this site some 364,000 or so, pickup trucks for a fire that might start while plugged into a stationary wall, and not while driving, might cause loss of human life, if it burns down your house while you sleep, and you don’t have the proper smoke alarms and escape plans ?
And has done a recall on about same said truck over emission stuff, might cause loss of total human life if the planet burns up in the future ?
I just don’t get the criteria ?
Recall a Cadillac because the heat seat might start on fire, but we were told it would only happen when remotely started and no human is in the vehicle ?
Again I don’t get the criteria ?
So in my opinion the GM recall system still has more to do with money than human safety ?
And who forces them to do a recall for what reason ?
So, So, So, many class action law suits, lemon law suits, again who makes these decisions and to what criteria ?
And as always for almost anyone who has had the privilege of speaking to a GM customer service rep. My heart goes out to you, as that experience is excruciating at times
So an update on my 2017 Cadillac ATS with the 8L45 8 speed…Had it back to the dealership a week ago and they did a “Refresh Characterization Data” and “Perform Fast Learn” on the transmission due to”the initial fill time of the 2-3-4-6-8,(c4) clutch”..Bulletin #16-NA-361,Document # 4605342…A week later mine seems to be working very good(dramatic difference really)…Hopefully this will help some people with same issue.
I bought a 2019 Chevy Colorado in March 2019, I sent it back to the dealer twice. Once for a malfunction with the driver seat and the second time I complained about my transmission pulling and sounding weird, they checked out the transmission and said it was okay. On May 1, 2019 I encounter another problem, while my car was in park after I removed my keys from the ignition when I closed the door my 2019 Colorado began to roll backwards and it hit the bldg etc. I need to speak to an attorney asap. My email address is [email protected]
Thanks
For the record after buying a 2017 Silverado 1500. I now have 18000 miles on it. At the second dealer oil change I asked my service guy. “Why is this transmission such a piece of sh*t?” Response: “it’s always looking for the best gear to maximize fuel consumption. “.
So it drives like crap for pennies per gallon? My whole gm experience is hindered by a transmission second guessing how I want it to go? Well I don’t want it to hesitate, lurch, slug, slam, slop, shimmy, drop, clunk or chug. So let’s take all those things off the table first. For fifty thousand dollars…… cmon!
Can this transmission be reprogrammed to function only as a transmission and not a fuel saving pos device?
Because in my Hemi experience my #3 cylinder (the fuel saving one) is the one that caused a problem at 110,000 miles. They said I needed a new $ 6500.00 $ Hemi. In a truck that only used fully synthetic it’s whole life.
I would have stuck w the Toyota but that rides like a horse carriage and the fuel consumption is ridiculous.
So where is the happy middle?
In short. Count me in.
I have a 2016 Silverado LTZ with the 8 speed. Almost from the day I took delivery there were annoying issues especially on a cold start. I would put it in reverse and the motor would rev up with little or no movement. After backing out of the garage I would put it in drive, at about this time it would jump forward as others have said ” like someone ran into you”. This was scary enough I would not let my wife get it out. I went to the dealership and was told not only they could not find an issue. I I tolerated it for a number of months before taking it back asking them to keep it and drive it regularly while I was on vacation. They drove it 3 hundred miles and told me there was no problem. A year later I was driving with cruise control on at 60 mph when it began to shake violently. Again I went to the dealership. The torque converter needed replaced at about 33,000 miles. I am now at 46,000 and experiencing the problem at start up. I am not a mechanic but even I know the torque converter is not engaging probably due to lack of fluid, then when the fluid gets there”wham”. At this time I am dealing with GM Customer service.
I own a 2016 Tahoe LT. I believe it has this transmission, yet it’s not on this list. I also owned a 2011 Tahoe LTZ. The 2011 had the transmission crap out at 200K. The 2016 just crapped out at 105. Transmission pump and torque converter. I didn’t have the same issues as described above, but it did shake like it was missing gears, then finally just slipped and wound up. Traded the 2011 in on the 16 when it crapped out. Just had this one repaired and still driving it. Bit it certainly sounds like something inherently wrong. I’m two for two, and very leery of buying another Tahoe or Silverado.
I have a 2019 GMC Sierra with the 6.2L and this beloved 8 speed tranny.
At 1,000 or so miles in I first noticed the issues as Bowden so eloquently notes as “ Well I don’t want it to hesitate, lurch, slug, slam, slop, shimmy, drop, clunk or chug. So let’s take all those things off the table first. For fifty thousand dollars…… cmon!”
I have had it in once at second oil change 10,000 miles for this, but have gotten the same blow off reply that “there is a bulletin but it’s normal”
I now know it’s not acceptable to others and not just me.
Sign me up for the class action. It’s unfortunate that they have not addressed the problem(s) so late in the production cycle.
Truck now as 13,000 miles and still consistently surges in cold starts as well as driveline bump and grind. Also hunts for a gear under light throttle.
I love everything else about this truck the motor is light out awesome but the transmission gets a D-
I had these transmission issues on a new design 2010 Equinox.
What ever happened there.
I have these issues on my 2018 SLT 1500
I bought a 2018 GMC Sierra 6.2 8speed in Dec 2018. I’ve been walking on eggshells ever since. Between the 4/8 cylinder crap and a tranny that can’t make up it’s mind which gear to be in, I’m really disappointed in GM. It’s a beautiful truck with lots of power, but come on. Being a former GM tech, I believe that the problems could be fixed with corrected programming for both engine and trans, but then they probably wouldn’t pass California emissions. I guess engineering only knows how to computerize everything now days, instead of building dependability. I’ve always been a GM man, but these issues could drive a lot of customers away. I know some people have stepped down to danged ‘ol ford or dodge. Come on GM step up and take responsibility for an engineering failure and take care of us that have supported you for so long.
I just bought a 2016 Sierra Denali and I’m very disappointed also the 4/8 is crap the transmission doesn’t know what gear it wants to be in it shifts violently from 1st to 4th gear and hesitates when shifting and then engages when it wants too and jerks the truck very unsatisfied will never by another GM cause they knew about the problem or I should say knew and know and are doing nothing I really hope the class action takes care of us gm owners. Also the 8 speed sucks why not just stick with what was working best I love the truck it’s awesome but the tranny and GM customer service sucks really bad. The dealership where I bought this 50k paperweight is telling me that the problems I’m dealing with are just the characteristics of the transmission and there is nothing they can do, they have also done 5 software updates to the CPU modules and still garbage GM YOU NEED TO COME CORRECT IF YOU WANT TO KEEP LOYAL CUSTOMERS.
After countless positive online reviews I decided to purchase a new 2019 Chevy Colorado and now 3000 miles later I am becoming not only very displeased with the truck but also embarrassed as friends and passengers feel how it jerks and tease me for buying it. I was told at the dealership by the sales person that there were no problems with the transmission and there were no current recalls on the vehicle. Like a fool I believed them. I want to be added to their class action because not only was I duped I was lied to.
I purchased a 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 with the 6 speed transmission. After 120,000 miles on a 10 hour drive back from North Carolina the transmission felt like it was HAMMERING into gear. It started with 5th to 6th and by the time I got to Ohio it barely shifted out of first. When I finally made it back home to Indiana and the GM dealer where I bought it they told me “The tranny is gone, it will have to be replaced.” At JUST a nominal cost of $5000!!! I just bought the truck in December and dont have a choice but to replace the transmission. Hopefully GM will own up to their poor workmanship. It’s hard enough to be able to afford a truck without these kind of repair bills.
IF GM IS HELPING CUSTOMERS WITH THE 8L90 or 8L45 automatic transmission problems then why did GM LOWER THE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY? 12 DAYS AGO I BOUGHT A 16 SILVERADO FROM MAVERICK CHEVROLET/MARSHALL FORD MARSHALL,TX, MAVERICK NEVER INFORMED ME OF ANY TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS,AFTER WE SIGN THE BANK LOAN DROVE IT OFF THE LOT THE TRANSMISSION JERK BAD,I CALLED MAVERICK CHEVY JAMIE SALES MANAGER TELL ME IT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY..IS THISMWHAT AMERICA HAS COME TO..LIES AND EXCUSES TO SCREW WE THE PEOPLE?
Ugggg 2019 camaro after about800 miles harsh shift from 1st to 2nd on the first shift of the day. Went to dealer was told thats just how they shift. If i knew then what i know now would have never got this pice of s#it. Made 2 payments and hate a new 35000$ car.
2018 chevy silverado screw cab lt. Transmission s issue just like everyone else. New fluid and reprogram. Work fine for 3 weeks and problem come back. Also has ticking noise under the hook at freeway speed. Going back to dealer today. If nothing can be done. Lemon law and lawsuit is my only choice $51k at 8k mile so annoy.
Do I need to do anything to be part of this class action lawsuit. I bought a GMC Canyon SLT. Less then a month ago and it’s already jerking hesitates
I know it’s not listed here, but our 2017 Chevrolet Suburban premier has been doing this very thing. I took it to the dealership yesterday and there was no diagnostic code and the check engine light never came on, so they test drove the truck to duplicate the issue. They said my fluid was good, aside from being slightly burnt and that there is an internal issue inside the transmission, and to replace my transmission it will be 9K- sorry but I just bought the truck last year and yes it was bought used, but it’s a newer truck, transmission shouldn’t be bad already. we recently had to replace the entire a/c line because of a common leak that multiple GM SUV and trucks have and already has a class action suit for that. For a two year truck it is becoming a money pit.