General Motors Looks To Have Lawsuit Over Eight-Speed Transmission Defects Dismissed
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General Motors is looking to have a class-action lawsuit dismissed that alleges there are defects with its 8L45 and 8L90 eight-speed automatic transmissions.
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, alleges GM’s eight-speed automatic transmissions may shift violently into gear. The filing claims the problems are caused by some type of hydraulic systems failure, which can wear down the gears and allow metal shavings to become caught within the transmission. GM has sent technical service bulletins to dealerships, which plaintiffs say are an indication the automaker has known about the defects since at least 2015. The lawsuit also claims GM’s suggested fixes, such as flushing the transmission system, are only a temporary solution.
8L45 transmission
GM claims the problems with the transmission do not fall under the factory warranty, as it is a design defect and not a manufacturing defect. According to GM’s motion to dismiss, which was obtained by Car Complaints, the automaker’s warranty is only for vehicles that have “a defect that is so basic it renders the vehicle unfit for its ordinary purpose of providing transportation.” It says the plaintiffs in this class action suit “make only conclusory allegations that their vehicles are ‘unfit for their ordinary and intended use,’ but allege only inconvenience and mild discomfort.”
8L90 transmission
It also points out that no injuries or deaths have been attributed to the problem and that no one has stopped driving their vehicle completely due to the rough shifting issue.
The 8L45 and 8L90 eight-speed automatic transmission was used in a wide variety of previous-generation GM vehicles with rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. The full list of affected vehicles in this class-action suit includes:
- 2015-2017 Cadillac Escalade
- 2015-2017 Cadillac Escalade ESV
- 2016-2019 Cadillac ATS
- 2016-2019 Cadillac ATS-V
- 2016-2019 Cadillac CTS
- 2016-2019 Cadillac CTS-V
- 2016-2019 Cadillac CT6
- 2015-2019 Chevrolet Silverado
- 2017-2019 Chevrolet Colorado
- 2015-2019 Chevrolet Corvette
- 2016-2019 Chevrolet Camaro
- 2017-2019 GMC Canyon
- 2015-2019 GMC Sierra
- 2015-2019 GMC Yukon
- 2015-2019 GMC Yukon XL
- 2015-2017 GMC Yukon Denali
- 2015-2017 GMC Yukon Denali XL
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Source: Car Complaints
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is gm trying to be “sarcastic”?
Honestly one of the worst trans I have had in a vehicle. The 8 speed trans in my new RAM limited is really nice and shifts smoothly.
Though after a flush of the trans it did get better, but was still bad.
Interesting view…
Actually there is nothing wrong with the transmission.
The problem was with the fluid absorbing moisture and it would affect the converter clutch.
It took time to identify the issue and created and test the fluid but they now have it with Mobil one blue label.
If you present the vehicle it generally resolved the issue. If not the dealers are directed to replace the converter.
This lawsuit is not going yo fix anything. If you have the shudder or even if you don have the shudder the dealer will flush the transmission upon request if it is pre March 2019 build. The TSB is out there and they know about it.
This has taken the problem from the top spot on the forum to just an occasional mention.
This lawsuit is more about the lawyers just trying to get rich off this and leave you with a free oil change or discount on a future vehicle while they claim millions in legal fees.
Skip the lawyer and just get the fluid flushed on the GM dime.
Mine was done last August and has never been better.
Except 2016 vehicles can be going out of powertrain warranty. If GM were to promise a free flush and remedy – I think you’d have better standing to bash critical coverage of this.
That’s the problem with TSBs, or “silent recalls” = customers can’t access them and they are merely guidance after the warranty runs out.
If this was Tesla, it would be a courtesy repair credit – even though that helps Tesla’s balance sheet… it also helps customer loyalty. Big time.
The TSB are easily found on numerous sites and forums and can easily be found.
If you can’t find it you are not looking.
GM has been extending things in some cases to take care of those out of warranty in some cases.
As for Tesla. If GM only held 1 to 2 percent of the market they would me more flexible too. Tesla will lose much of this as they grow and if they are still around.
Frankly that’s just not correct. Mechanics still pay for TSB access for a reason. It’s an anti-consumer trend that needs to end. Someone needs to either catalog the TSBs like RECAP did for the federal courts – or the laws need to change to compel publishing of TSBs to consumers.
“GM has been extending things in some cases to take care of those out of warranty in some cases.”
If you believe that is happening on a widespread basis, there would be a customer courtesy program posted… by GM Authority. Which you just attacked for covering this too harshly. Catch 22 there.
Even anti-Tesla, Maximum Bob Lutz has admitted Tesla turned the tide, you’ve gotta drink a lot of Kool Aid to believe otherwise.
Not true the TSB’s are available from the NTSB, From GM Techlink, from this forum, from every forum of each model posting the most common issues.
Just google 18-NA-355 and you will see how easy it is to find like most bulletins.
Tesla has a well documented history of service issues. They are not walking on water any more than anyone else.
If they approve my post with the web links you can see how I can back all this up with documentation. The links locked it up for approval.
Note one site is this very one who often reports TSB info.
Today with the web little info hoes unreported anymore with bulletins. In fact many forums have specific threads posted and updated by dealer staff.
NTSB only publishes safety TSBs. Anything not deemed a safety hazard is not posted, other than header information that says nothing useful.
Techlink is as laughable as a compliance car. It is just marketing for Techline Connect. Ask yourself why Techline Connect exists if Techlink was actually usable by the public? The answer is obvious, it’s intentionally unusable.
When did Tesla start using transmissions?
As the owner of an affected vehicle, I am somewhat more than idly interested in your assertion that there is nothing wrong with the transmission.
Based on various forum posts, I am aware of two (I believe separate) issues: 1) shuddering, and 2) hard shifting.
I had the shuddering issue, and got the flush with the blue label fluid shortly thereafter. It seems to have resolved that issue, but I have not put a lot of miles on it since, so can’t be sure just yet.
I have not had the hard shifting issue that many people have reported.
I was under the impression that the August 2019 revision of 18-NA-355 was only covering the shuddering issue, and not the hard shifting. Are you claiming that both issues are corrected with 18-NA-355?
I just accidentally gave my post a thumbs up and can’t figure out how to undo it. 🙁
The fluid change was directed at the shudder. But those of us who had the 1-2 hard shift found as we drove it on the new fluid the shift has gotten smoother.
Mine went away and I waited for this winter to see if it came back. In cold conditions it is a little firmer in the first mile but it goes away. It is nothing annoying anymore.
To be honest after the change I have no complaint of the transmission.
Might also note GM is not the only mfg with shudder issues. Many MFGs have had converter clutch issues due to moisture absorption in the fluid.
It used to be we had two fluids and today just look at all the fluids we have to address these issues.
It has even been a topic on gun web sites as they used to use the fluid to treat weapons. But today they found some fluids absorbed moisture and were damaging weapons.
It took Mobil three fluids till they found one to resolve the issue. It is also made to recover a glazed converter clutch. But in some cases the glaze may be too much and a few have had to have the converter changed.
The way MFGs word things is to protect themselves from legal actions that may not always be legitimate.
Many class action suits will take a mfg to court just looking for a settlement. They know the MFGs could win the case but it is cheaper to settle with the law firm. They then take the majority of the settlement for their own reward and offer owners a token prize.
We have a major flaw in our legal system where the looser is not required to pay the cost of the case. So people just due to get paid to go
away as companies can not recoup the cost.
Good to hear how your rough shifting improved. This is heartening news.
Fluid change doesn’t work. GM won’t replace converters, because that doesn’t work either, according to their directive.I have one. I have been buying GM trucks since 1990, with no problems. After this BS, I am done with them.
Which revision of 18-NA-355 was followed and which fluid was used? It matters.
I have two revisions; #16-NA-019 (Nov. 13, 2019) #99-04-20-002K (Oct. 29, 2019) The dealer will be trying these next week.
I had my fluid changed and it didn’t help at all. I could not get the dealer nor the factory to change out the torque converter.
Which revision of 18-NA-355 was followed and which fluid was used? It matters.
#16-NA-361 Document ID:4605342 The latest fluid was used
i complained about this in 2019 and the dealer said yep that’s how they run nothing you can do about it. I found out this TSB was issued in July of -19 and no one told me about it – how are we supposed to know they have a fix. I brought my car to the dealer since then and they were silent about it. Today i brought it in and mentioned the shake was worse than ever and the guy causally says did they change the transmission fluid? I’m like what? unreal – poor customer service at all levels. They should have contacted me a year+ ago and said hey we have a fix for that problem you complained about. They tech said oh we are told to only do it if the customer complains. I said well i did complain over a year ago and you said nothing to do? He said well the fix wasn’t out then. Man what a lame company. I’ll find out if the fluid changes helps or not and if not it sounds like i’ll have to wrestle them for a new torque converter. After they fix this we’ll see what they can do about the Air Conditioner 🙁
Not true the fluid flush is temporary and now GM is not authorizing torque converter changes because that’s also temporary. The lawsuit will go through plain and simple
I have had my 2017 Escalade in for this issue several times. One of the techs dismissed as an “just is” as his pickup had the same issue. Subsequently, they test drove it at my insistence and pretended that the condition could not be replicated and it was in my head. On my last visit, my dealer (Schepel Cadillac in Merrillville, IN) first tried to charge me to for the 50,000 service on the transmission fluid which I declined. They then called me and told me that there was a service bulletin to change it and they changed it for no charge. I can tell you that this did NOTHING to fix the issue. This is BS… I was just looking at buying the 2019 Z06 Corvette as it will be the last rear wheel drive version and now I’m reconsidering that as the same issue affects this model as well. I bought my vehicle certified with 6,000 miles on it and have lots of warranty left. I don’t recall joining any class action lawsuit. Is it too late? Don’t get me wrong – on these class action lawsuits the only people who win financially are the attorneys, but would like to be part of the lawsuit if possible. Thank you for listening and for any advice you would offer me.
This is just so freakin’ wrong of GM.
I guess I have been lucky my trans has been a dream. I would love access to TSBs all in one place as I do have a fuel pressure problem and I don’t want to throw money at it by just changing parts.
This sounds like the same Corporate-speak trick GM pulled with the severe timing-chain stretch issue on all the 2009 3.6 V-6 DOHC Engines every vehicle built on the Lambda platform had. If your engine’s timing chain failed and took out the interference valve train during the original warranty period they replaced it and installed a new timing chain with a different part number proving they knew about the problem. Rather than recall all the four-wheel hand grenades they had sold to customers, they issued an extended engine warranty which still left the owner holding the bag once the vehicle exceeded 100K miles.
So, not a manufacturing defect, but a design defect? Don’t think your making good chicken salad with that argument……..still smells like chicken poop!
GM still made it so they should fix it
GM replaced our 2015 Vette’s torque converter due to engine RPMs fluctuating about 300 at steady highway speed. Then that converter started to shuttle so the dealer replaced the fluid, which corrected it.
Regarding class action lawsuits, even though they make the law firms a lot of money and very little goes to plaintiffs, hopefully they help get legitimate complaints corrected. Unfortunately, it costs a lot of money to defend a suit even if not guilty but if a case goes before a jury it costs a lot more… and you might lose the case and a lot more money.
Well, I had no idea law firms were so altruistic.
My 2017 Colorado had a very hard shift…took it in for a couple reprogrammings of the transmission module and the last one finally seemed to get rid of the majority of the hard shifting. But now I have the shudder (started around 60K), and will be taking the truck in next week…hopefully for the fluid swap.
My question is…even if this would fix it, has all of this damaged the transmission in anyway?
Same issues here on my 2016 CT6 2.0 42k miles. Several service visits… Torque converter problems, hard shifts, shuddering and NOW a code PO711 transmission temperature sensor harness thing? My three prior vehicles were foreign makes up to 100,000 miles and not one single issue period. I’m afraid my Cadillac is crap.
2015 Sierra 92k miles. Mine started making a rattle when shifting from V8 to V4. Not much gas given and rattles. Slow fast it doesn’t matter.. Took mine into Gmc dealer shop today. Hoping its not terrible news. Just paid it off 🙁
I’m a 51 yr old woman..no mud, and I’m very apt to oil changes etc..Im just sick..
Emoto, just post two thumbs down.
Wonder what is going on with lawsuits probably delayed by Covid 19
I wonder what’s going on with the lawsuit as well. I’m the owner of a 2016 GMC Yukon XL Denali that was just diagnosed with a torque converter issue. It’s barely under warranty at 58,600 since the warranty is only good until 60,000 miles. It’s currently at the dealership and they’re only changing out fluids and resetting the computer. An independent transmission mechanic advised of the issue and they are refusing to do the work under the warranty. I’m shocked. Not even 4 years old, under 60,000 miles and an $85,000 POS vehicle. What’s the right thing to tell the dealership to do? They just want to swap fluids and send me on my way. I refused to pick it up today because this is a known GM defect and they’re trying to bandaid an issue to push me out of my warranty. Help!
Dido.
I have the same problem as you.
I have a 2018 GMC 1500 with 18000 miles.
Turned it over to lawyers who specialize in this.
Consumer Legal Services
I have a 2018 GMC Sierra SLT Premium had problems since about 50,000 miles, cared to shop at 59,000 miles now at 62,000 miles and shop three times. They say it needs a torque conveter but they have no transmission fluid for this dumbass truck anywhere in the US to replace the torque converter. This goes deep, i am a mechanical engineer and if you have to have speical fluid developed for your transmission after the fact says you have a problem GM you need to fix all these peoples trucks or buy them all back. Period
I have a canyon 2017 with the shudder problem, i will go to the dealer tomorrow with a copy of the bulletin.
I took my 2017 Colorado in for the second time since I have had it first time talking to a service representative they stated that the problem was from factory putting in bad trans fluid when built. Truck has been at dealership for going on three weeks they are trying to say that vibration is coming from tires. Took it for a drive recorded it at 55 like the stated where the vibration is, the steering wheel is so steady that I could put a drink on it and it won’t fall off. I have contacted GM’s CEO and they are trying to give me the run-around too.
I just posted last week. They are out of the special new transmission fluid all over the US. They told me my truck would be at the dealership indefinitely until they got more fluid in. P.S. they have no idea when they are going to get any in.
I contacted the general manager of my dealership and GM corporate office. They paid my truck off and sold me a new one at the price i paid for my tuck in 2018. They know the 8 speed transmissions were garbage. Stay on them they will make you a deal.
2015 silverado…had to have the transmission replaced at less than 100k miles..metal all over when they pulled it..there were several other similar or newer trucks at this dealership for same reason..not included in warranty they said! $6k i had to spend on a $45k truck with 100k miles..and all i do is drive on highway back/forth to work. I cannot find any doc from GM that says “dont leave 4wd in auto”… Very disappointed in this truck– had to replace a/c condenser and transmission and have front end work.. nothing in warranty..ive had GM trucks for 30yrs and drove them all to 250k miles and never spent money on them like i have this truck..zero response from GM on this…