More Owners Complain Of GM Transmission Defect Amid Pending Lawsuit
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This past April, a class-action lawsuit surfaced as consumers bound together to voice their displeasure over General Motors vehicles. Specifically, models equipped with the eight-speed automatic transmission. Now, more owners are speaking out.
Local North Carolina news station Action 9 WSOCTV reported on one local owner who showed the problem off for the camera. While the lawsuit alleges shakes, jerks, or a “hard shift” when selecting a gear with the automatic transmission, this owner highlighted the “Chevy shudder,” as he called it. At speed, he showed the steering wheel shuddering and shaking. He claims the problem is nearly constant in his $52,000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500.
GM told the news station that owners should visit a dealership to walk through the protocols with a technician to solve the problem. Numerous technical service bulletins (13 as of this past April) exist for issues like so many owners describe in their vehicles.
The transmission is 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. A full list of vehicles that house the transmission is below:
- 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.
Supposedly, the problem is most common when accelerating or decelerating as the transmission moves to select another gear, though, it’s not specific to a gear in particular.
In the lawsuit filed earlier this year, owners said the issue may be the torque converter, which could be exposed to undue friction. In this case, gears may not function properly as metal shavings move throughout the transmission. We need to note this is not a definite cause and only an alleged problem stated in the lawsuit.
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Source: Action 9 WSOCTV
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I have a 2016 Colorado and have experienced the shake/shudder as well as the trans is now hard shifting and surging. On top of that I have corrosion on my hood that you can easily see.
Took it to the dealer and was told its a bent rim and since the corrosion has not broken through, there is nothing they can do. So I replaced the rim and yet still a shake shudder thing and the trans feels like its going to fall out. For paint, I opened a ‘case’ with GM. Was told they would give me a 3000 voucher for a new vehicle. I loved my Diesel Colorado a lot but I cannot overlook the terrible craftsmanship and customer service. Its time to move on and buy a Taco, I guess. I don’t want anything but my bicycle at this point.
J
I guess GM’s thinking this is to ignore us! If They had to replace everybody’s transmission that’s having problems they probably go bankrupt again. Wait till your air conditioning condenser goes. My went this spring they did not cover it at all! they’re covering it on many other vehicles of theirs with the same issue bad weld. A recall for others but not the Silverado same part same bad weld. “Stick it to the Silverado people they can afford it” that’s what they’re thinking, we don’t want to go bankrupt again… don’t give anything back maybe they’ll go away. After my truck gets out of the body shop is going straight to the dealer for the transmission issue. I did open a complaint with GM regarding my transmission. see how it goes. Rented a Ford truck 2019 10 speed transmission with their V6 engine got to say that transmission is smooth as butter, I can’t feel it shifting, I can’t feel it downshifting… no shutter no slipping no banging. that’s how my truck should feel for what I paid. Never thought I’d say I’d be thinking about buying a Ford, now I’m thinking how do I get my wife to let me trade this car in and buy a different one. Just hate to make this truck somebody else’s problem. I’ll be back to let you know what happens.
1 have a 2014 Silverado 1500 off road z71 and just before 100,000 miles transmission went on it and st 163,000 had it rebuilt again. And less then 1,000 miles after that rebuild torque converter went again it made that shutter sound just like the newer ones. I am so sick of this truck we paid over $50,000 for it and I will not buy another gm vehicle.
Have a 2500 HD diesel 2019 Chev. Silverado. Total miles 8306. Total transmission failure today pulling a lightweight horse trailer. Sounded like a bucket of bolts under the truck then a huge wining noise then no power forward or back. On a busy highway on off ramp with 2 horses, no power! No warning for the failure, no gear slippage, no hesitation no shudder. Just a dead tranny. F—. So I just paid $51,000 for a truck with a major mechanical failure. Their powertrain coverage better cover my problem. Wish I’d have bought the Ford 250 now. Being towed tomorrow to Chevy. Can’t believe it.
Update, the transfer case was totally trashed by a defective bearing. Chevy replaced the entire inner workings of the case. Up and running now. Will update if needed.
I purchased a 2019 Silverado RST. My first Chevy and my last. The transmission continues to slip into gear. The dealer states it’s normal and the vehicle needs to adjust to my driving habits. After 10,000 miles I think this $52,000 should adjust to something. This is the worst vehicle I have ever purchased.
I have a 2016 Silverado transmission failed at 62k no help from Chevy. The dealer closet to me said they were backed up with transmission problems for 8 weeks. I went to chuck Stevens in Bay Minette Alabama. I paid them to put a “new” unit in. 18k miles later it’s failing again. My rear end is also locking up, infotainment system failed, and A/C is on and off. Truck has been a nightmare. I am a 90% disabled USMC vet. I use this truck for my job. Chevy needs to do the right thing and buy back these turds of trucks. I will not be back to Chevy with my business. It’s a shame that they treat veterans this way as well. I have called over 8 times to corporate and been shuffled around constantly.
2015 Chevy Silverado 1500 High Country. Most expensive vehicle I’ve ever owned! Over $60,000. I have owned three Chevy’s prior to this, purchased all three new from same dealer. never had a problem with any of them until now. I used to brag about how happy I was to be a Chevy owner not anymore. I too am having transmission problems been having them since the day I purchased my 2015 Silverado High Country 1500 new in 2016. problems started with only a few hundred miles on it, with hard shifting, slipping and banging and now the vibrating. Some of these issues were worse when the engine was cold, Then I would go for a long time with no prolems at all. The shuttering that I experienced was not the engine going from 8-cylinder to 4-cylinders, that I was used to already my 2007 Avalanche did that also between 8 in 4 cylinder mode. that I could deal with. My problem now is trans slips, also vibrates at times feels like I’m driving a tank with tank tracks instead of rubber tires. Doesn’t happen all the time, does it when it feels like. During cold weather my transmission won’t even go into gear for a few seconds seems like an eternity. If I’m in a hurry I’ll start the engine drop it into gear reverse or drive doesn’t matter, push the gas hear the engine rev but no movement briefly then a loud bang from the transmission, feels like you’ve just been rear-ended. Then that doesn’t happen for weeks drives and seem to shift and drive fine. The same Bang problem will happen while I’m driving also. once I get down to someplace between first and second gear not to a complete stop you can feel it downshifting hard then I get some place between 2nd and 1st gear bingo. I’m getting so used to it now I’m psychologically getting ready for it to bang again, truck will feel exactly like you have just been rear-ended by somebody doing about 30 miles an hour, I’m still at a crawl not a complete stop is when it happens. I’ll accelerate you can feel is not responding for just an instant can’t seem to find itself and then Bang. My wife is having neck problems because of it now! It’s the same as getting whiplashed banging to first gear. The other day I was at an intersection creeping up to the intersection the light was changing to red, creeping through the intersection some Place between first and second gear again, it was wet out it had just rained, the roads were very slick, transmission does its thing again, this time it’s sent the rear wheel spinning and my truck into a 360 in the middle of the intersection. This is clearly becoming a safety issue somebody can get killed. This truck is no longer safe to drive. I will be taking my truck back to the dealer for the umpteenth time, I must say this is probably the fifth time that I have been back to the dealer with the same issues.
Every time it’s we changed a modulator we reprogram the computer we did this we did that, last time they actually said that I was a quart low on transmission fluid like that’s my problem, did you ever try and check the transmission fluid on these trucks there’s no dipstick, are you kidding me. it’s a dealer thing you have to go to the dealer to have it checked. WTF… and if they reprogram the computer that you say drivefor a while it’s going to need to relearn it could get a little sketchy for a while until it learns. do this do that, can’t find anything wrong, can’t duplicate the problem, I’m tired of the BS. Personally I think it’s a torque converter issue. Also all that hard banging every time this happens it’s got to be causing damage to my rear end, universal joints, drive shaft, and the transfer case. something else is going to fail due to this transmission. I now currently have about 52,000 miles on my vehicle been dealing with this since it had a hundred miles on it. I have been very nice to the folks at the dealership thinking they know what they’re doing. all I’m getting is BS. I want something done either a new transmission or torque converter replaced. Tired of adjustments in little tweaks. Very frustrated Chevy Silverado owner….
My 2019 silverado has under 5000 miles and just lost every gear after 3rd. And makes a weird sound like the clutch band that goes around the drum broke loose has anyone else experienced this problem? Itll accelerate to 39 miles per hour then the trans slips immediately after that it makes the weird noise.
Yeah man they all do it and all are horrible. Join the class action. Hold them accountable. Leave it at the dealer and walk away. Yes
My 2017 Chevy High Country shakes, switched into the wrong gears with engine winding out. Very frustrated with my purchase. My truck was also $59-$60 Thousand Dollars financed through GM Financial. Taking it tomorrow to the dealer and getting this documented ASAP!!!
SARAH FARRELL Vicksburg, MS
My husband took his 2017 GMC Denali in to local dealer GEORGE CARR GMC to have the shudder repaired and was told the transmission fluid needed to changed and flushed to address the shudder. After $576.97 the changed the fluid and flushed but failed to change the filter. After speaking back with the dealer we were told changing the filter was not part of “The BULLETIN” So the transmission fluid no longer travels through a filter, hmmmmm. You can have a none defect for two years, never notify your customers with a notice of such, wait until their warranty is up and call it a BULLETIN vs A RECALL or defect.
We initially thought we needed tires, purchased $1600 set of tires. Continued to have the issue took the truck back to the place the tires were purchased thinking we had bad tires only to then have HIM pull the data and give us the information on this shudder issue.
It would be the equivalent of going in for a heart catch, getting the balloon the doctor knowing you need a stent but deciding well we will see if flushing the arteries works rather than placing the stent. You can come back and pay for another operation should you need a stent. We will be happy to place the stent but you can pay for that rather than putting it in while he’s in there.
Who the hell changes in oil and NOT change a filter?
I spoke to Michelle today at GM in Resolutions. Well Michelle informed me after asking to speak to her supervisor that she was “the end of the line” with this resolution. REALLY MICHELLE. So you refused to allow me to speak to your superior, you basically stated my case is closed and if I wanted a filter go pay for it. Well I’m here to tell you I’m not stopping with you Michelle. This company knowingly withheld information about a defect for two years. Two years when my vehicle would have been under warranty but you failed. You never notified your customers of this potential problem and to contact your dealer if you experienced this problem. We did. And they failed us to.
I’m experiencing this problem in my 2017 Camaro.
Same problem with my 2017 Camaro RS. At 30,000 miles there was a hesitation then shuddering at 1200-1500 RPM at all speeds. Dealer did a triple transmission flush, they said the more you drive it, the better it will get. I took it back 800 miles later with the same problems. They kept it 3 days, saying they called TAC and have an open case with GM on my vehicle but are waiting to hear from TAC for the next step in fixing the transmission. I’m frustrated and disappointed with GM. In the mean time, I picked up my car from the dealership, still waiting on a resolution. It’s been 11 days as of 12/30/19.
2018 tahoe lt 6speed trans 12000 miles and transmission crapped out…car is at dealer now.. i dont want that pos. ..i drive like an old man i never dogged it out.
I will never own another GM product. My 2017 Sierra Denali developed the shudder at 65,000 miles. The dealer cited the fluid as the issue and performed the service at my expense. I paid $257.00 for the fluid exchange and sent an email to Mary Barra ([email protected]). I received a call from an adviser and told them the issue and they said they would get back with me. Well, they did and they said like a recording your vehicle is out of warranty so we are not going to reimburse you but we can give you a voucher for $100.00 for future service. I told them don’t bother as I am getting rid of the truck and I will never purchase another one of their vehicles. No wonder why they are ranked below Dodge now.
I Own a 2019 Silverado trail boss has transmission shudder been to dealer 3 times still not fixed have 15k on truck,has also had transmission flush,and software updates,even paid dealer to balance tires even though I’m a technician and capable of doing the work myself,to prove its not tires.just want my truck fixed now telling me it’s normal.i also own several other Silverados with no trans problems.and of course they are not 8 speeds!
It seems to be more than one type transmission, my 2011 Silverado with a 6 cylinder had transmission failure at 90,000 miles it was replaced by Chevrolet under warranty, now 84,000 miles later it’s going out again. I suppose that’s as long as Chevrolet expects a transmission to last because now I am being told I will have to buy the next transmission, they are high priced for something that will only last 80-90,000 miles
I had a 2016 silverado. Bailed out at 57,000 miles due to transmission clunk and shakes. One day in my yard, shifted into drive and the tranny jerked my tires so bad it dug up sod… The 2018 Nissan Titan I traded for is amazing compared to the GM clunker. I may never go back to GM…
I have a 2014 Chevy Spark that had a transmission replaced within the first two years of purchase. Now after 5 years the transmission has gone out again. Why in the world will GM not have a recall on these transmissions. Everything I read about those transmissions is negative. 2014 and 15 are junk…
How do I become apart of the law suit? I have 2019 trail boss lt and I starting noticing it after I got the truck. Emailed dealer and they said I would have to bring it in and the salesman said he hadn’t heard of the problem. This is discouraging and frustrating. This is ridiculous when the truck cost $50k…
It is very frustrating I have 2014 Silverado z71 off road had gm rebuilt tranny once and I paid to have it rebuilted once among other problem like the lifters in the motor and the AC compressor. Ans they tranny still acting up. I am DONE with Chevy.
It is very frustrating I have 2014 Silverado z71 off road had gm rebuilt tranny once and I paid to have it rebuilted once among other problem like the lifters in the motor and the AC compressor. Ans they tranny still acting up. I am DONE with Chevy.
Did you have the transmission flushed with the synthetic transmission fluid I believe it’s 17 quarts to flush it and then they fill it back up with the synthetic. My transmission was acting horribly doing all kinds of things since I’ve had the transmission flush it’s 90% better I still have a problem between first and second gear but all the other issues have gone away almost to the point of being tolerable. I’m sorry to hear that they rebuilt your transmission I’m still having a problem but nothing like it was before. try to flush and see if that helps some people are having wonderful results with it. I’ve got 57,000 miles on my truck and I think that problem just went on too long for the flush to absolutely work perfect for me I have a feeling that my torque converter is glazed having some sort of problem since I drove it that way for so long. I had a friend transmission completely go out he flushed it filled with synthetic and now it works nicely he’s a mechanic he was skeptical tried it presto. When I’m driving on the highway or in the country I don’t have any problems just in City driving stop and go between 1st and 2nd gear transmission seems to get lost sometimes especially when you’re just cruising along at a slow rate of speed between first and second gear and you hit the gas it will bang into gear.
Here is the technical service bulletin TSB 18 – na – 355. This is for the transmission flush with synthetic transmission fluid GM instructed Chevy and GMC to pull all vehicles off the lot flush all transmissions with synthetic. See if you can get them to do the flush on your vehicle it may help.