General Motors Hit With New 8-Speed Automatic Transmission Lawsuit
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General Motors is facing a new class-action lawsuit over claims the automaker shipped vehicles with faulty eight-speed automatic transmissions.
GM eight-speed automatic transmission
This class-action suit was filed against GM in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Southern Division. According to Car Complaints, the plaintiffs say the GM eight-speed automatic transmissions in certain vehicles “slip, buck, kick, jerk, harshly engage, suffer abnormal internal wear, sudden acceleration, delay in downshifts, delayed acceleration, difficulty stopping the vehicle, and eventually require replacement of the transmission or its components.” These problems are allegedly traced back to an issue with the torque converter that causes excess friction.
The lawsuit also cites more than 60 technical service bulletins and service updates put out by GM regarding the eight-speed transmission problems, saying these documents are evidence GM was aware of problems with the transmission and decided to sell the affected vehicles anyway. Separately, C7 Corvette owner complaint submitted to Car Complaints back in 2015 stated they were told by a “GM insider” that the automaker was ” aware some transmissions are defective and is working on a kit to fix the fluid starvation problem internally,” which is allegedly the reasoning for the shuddering/jerking transmissions.
Numerous class-action suits have been filed against GM over its 8L45E and 8L90 eight-speed automatic transmissions in recent years. The automaker sought to have one of these suits thrown out last August, claiming the transmission problems are related to a design defect and not a manufacturing defect. GM’s vehicle warranties only cover manufacturing defects with parts and components and not design defects. Most of these suits claim all vehicles with these eight-speed transmissions are defective, which would imply a design defect and not a manufacturing defect.
This latest class-action suit calls on GM to reform its warranties to address these transmission problems and also issue a recall for affected vehicles.
The full list of affected vehicles in this class-action suit includes:
- 2015-2019 Cadillac Escalade/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/Yukon XL
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Can anyone give me a contact for the group that has started this lawsuit. Chev trew me out of the dealership and GM Complaints department wont answer the phone!
Clive McKnight
Kamloops, BC, canada
Looking for the same thing! Hopefully someone has some insite for us
Just purchased a 2018 GMC sierra on new years day from a GMC dealership and drove it home 3 hrs on the 2nd, truck started shuttering from 25mph to 70mph, rpm would bounce around while the shutter was happening, felt like I was driving over a rumble strip. All signs are pointing to a torque converter shutter, waiting on the dealership to get back to me. Which they’ve had my truck 4 days and haven’t touched it. Any possible ideas what can be done to make sure I get my truck back in great running order
Another lawsuit…. same result!!! Nothing for me!!! GM can take my Colorado and shove it up their arse! I won’t even waste my time telling my story…. let’s just say that this transmission is a joke, and GM KNEW IT! That’s the last GM my family EVER buys.
Damn rite they new from the very first x there was a problem but no one listened to the engineering of this trans was bad
I bought a brand’s new Colorado 2017 drove it 800 miles an transmission problems started an now it’s like a lil bandaid on a reel problems I complained so much that dealership called n an engineer from GM an he drove my truck an acknowledged that there was a problem with transmission well I’ve been thru all the fluid changes only fixed for jus a few more miles for it was rite bac doin it all again to be for reel I’ll never buy a nutr GM products again what wood it take to make me happy is for GM to buy my truck back for what I paid for it plus the inconvenience of being without my truck
If you are an owner of a 2014-19 Corvette, you not only have the potential transmission issue, but also a valve lifter issue (also a new class action lawsuit)…
And if the Corvette is a Grand Sport or a ZO6, you must deal with cracking, supposedly “forged” wheels…
And, all lawsuits to date have been won by GM, saying it is the customers fault. A SHAMEFUL lack of corporate responsibility… Unfortunately, just a sign of the times.
Some dealers only replaced the fluid when there were symptoms. By then the damage could be done and a new trans would be needed eventually, even after triple flushing and a relearn. People saying to blame Mobil only is BS, both should be blamed. I got rid of my ATS because I knew it would eventually have a problem and my car was quickly running out of powertrain warranty. Car already had hard shifts in 1-2 shifts, but dealer could never replicate because it would happen during heavy traffic. Valve body was replaced before the new fluid was provided, so my situation may have delayed the inevitable consistent shutter issue. Plus, paying for the new fluid was over $400, so yeah, took advantage of premium used car prices and sold it.
I’ll wait until the 10L45 and 10L80s get up in mileage and see if they’re any better before getting another GM car.
I also own a 2018 GMC Canyon. Had the shuttering issue and the dealer did the flush and refill. Fine for a week then hard shifts again. Called the dealer to have the flush done a second time and he stated “GM not recommending the flush for a second time so deal with it”. Where do I sign up?
I have a 2016 Cameron same problem had the flush still have hard shifts even a little slip in it Again
We had rented a loaded ‘21 suburban this spring. The wife and I loved it, with 3 kids under 10 the perfect vehicle. At the time she had a 2018 4Runner, nothing tougher than those but she really liked the extra space in the suburban. I liked it too, we had 2 when I was little, ‘77 and ‘84. My dad never had a problem with either. I had found one, had a deal done and she got scared. I was pissed, I wasted time and the truck was great. We read some reviews and she went with a year old Lexus GX 460. I still love older GM and I own 2 older trucks (95 K2500, 84 C3500) but I’m nervous about those transmissions. I’ve had Toyota trucks for 23 years as daily drivers and I’ve never had to worry about that stuff. I hate to start now. Too bad I’d love to have a new crewcab 2500.
I have a 2014 gmc denalli that shudders too.Why is the 6 speed tranny being overlooked. I know of 8 people with a 2014 with same issues.
I happened to have a 2015 Yukon Denali.After numerous times back to the selling dealer,went to another dealer .After a few fixes they changed the tranny.The car has 55000 miles and since then the tranny was replaced 2 more times so someone didn’t get the memo
I happened to have a 2015 Yukon Denali.After numerous times back to the selling dealer,went to another dealer .After a few fixes they changed the tranny.The car has 55000 miles .Now over the period of the next couple of years the transmission has been replaced 2 more times .Someone didn’t get the memo
I own a 2015 Yukon Denali with 55,000 miles.So after all the trips trips and leaving my car over the years I have had 3 transmissions replaced over that time period.Very frustrating and loss of car .Someone didn’t get the memo on how to fix it I guess
2017 Silverado LTZ with the 8 speed. Took it in the first year I had it and the dealer reprogrammed the TCM. Took it back a second time and they said it was normal. Fast forward to a great months ago….
I hadn’t heard a peep about fluid revisions or anything until the truck started chirping when it shifts into 5th gear. I started looking into that and ended up reading about the new fluid, etc. I took it in, less than a month outside of powertrain warranty, with 57k miles on it. I had to pay approx. $340 for the flush. It has MUCH better acceleration afterward and some of the shifting issues were better. It DID have a hard shift into 2nd though before I even left the lot.
The chirping continues along with occasional hard shifts, but now that it’s gotten cold here in MI, I generally hate driving it again. Acceleration and downshifting suck and there’s a shudder that drives me nuts. It’s going back and it better not cost me anything this time.
Since you have it documented that they said it’s normal, get your $340 back. Damn trans has to be flushed 3x before they decide that the damage is already done and they put in a new trans with the new fluid.
My 2019 CT6 clunks and chugs constantly, dealer says there is nothing they can do about it.. never a smooth ride and at times, feels like the car will stall when turning at slow speeds and decelerating. Sux…
If you’re still within powertrain warranty. Dealer is supposed to triple flush with the new oil. If you still have the same issue, even if it’s less noticable, the damage has been done and they replace the trans and fill with new oil. Try another dealer and call GM customer service and complain.
Thanks Luis. I am, and they handed me a bulletin Document ID: 5903453
#99-04-20-002M
which says he dealers should not attempt to fix and this will not inhibit the performance of the car….
Did not thing when I bought a $60k car it would be normal to clunk and chug regularly..
Just bought a 2019 Colorado yesterday with 16k miles. Could not feel the Shudder/Slip on initial test drive. After driving for a half hour on my way home, could definitely feel it then. Did some research and found that the 8 speeds have issues. Called to get warranty work done from the dealer I bought it from and cannot get in until a month later… Hoping I did not make a $$$ mistake.
Where I live you have so many days to give vehicle back if you don’t like. Guarantee that if you tell sales department you want to give back, they will get truck in for repair quickly. They are probably just trying to get it by the days that you have to get by grace period wait a month is nonstarter probably why it was traded in.
I have a 19 Silverado w/ 21K miles. At 20K the dealer replaced the fluid. It continued to jerk and lunge in 4wd, especially when turning. They then replaced the transfer case. Problem still exists and they tell me the problem is the clutches are aggressive and it will work itself out.
same on my CT6
Bought a 2017 Chevy Silverado Z71 with 80,000 miles. Came with the carfax report of all routine services from the 1st owner. Noticed the transmission lags and the shifts between gears are harsh. Especially between 1st and 2nd acceIerating and decelerating. I contacted GM corporate and they were rude about my concerns. They Informed me that the transmission was not their problem. Then I was told that I had to pay a diagnostics fee to have it looked at. I told them about the transmission problems being identical to all the complaints on the forums. The lady told me that I would have to pay for all mechanic fees and the cost of a new transmission if that was in fact the issue. Then she said that if it came back after inspection that it was a manufacturer defect they would “ CONSIDER” possible reimbursement. The transmission is right at $3500.00 and the labor would be between $1500&$2000.00. Not having the funds for a replacement they know they can screw you. And your taking a risk of getting another transmission with the exact same problems. I’ll never buy another Chevrolet again. That buyout they took a few years ago I’m sure has to do with them not wanting to fork money out of their own pocket’s. Oh, and a 35,000 mile drivetrain warranty??? What a joke. Where is the law at that protects hard working citizens from this type of corruption?
My transmission just crapped the bed at 114000 kms apparently the sun gear is gone I have a 2019 Canyon with the towing package and I’ve barely used it for anything other than highway driving. I did the fluid at 750000 kms as spec… So close to drivetrain warranty and I’ve never heard of a sun gear failing under light duty on a light truck …the tech did say there were metal particles in the old fluid when it was charnged… dealership wouldn’t even get me a loaner for the waiting period for a new transmission to be shipped to Canada…So I can only hope the new transmission doesn’t follow suit …fingers crossed on one hand middle finger to GM with the other ..
I took my 21 gmc sierra into Clift GMC in Adrian Michigan for a 12-1300 rpm vibration. In addition there is a high rpm driveline vibration.
A tech rode with me and felt the low rpm vibration and once I drove it from stop light the tech said holy crap.
Long story short they said come get it. Once there the paperwork said unreplicable .. COMPLETE LIE.. (thats what has me the maddest)
The service manager who is a good person said the felt same thing in another truck in for vibration. Essentially claiming that its within vibration specification.. Wouldnt produce the viration spec,
I just want my 53000.00 fixed