The all-new third-generation 2023 Chevy Colorado got its big debut last July, introducing new exterior styling, an overhauled interior, a new powertrain, and an update to the model lineup. In addition, the 2023 Chevy Colorado also introduces the second-generation GM eight-speed automatic transmission, addressing one of the biggest issues of the preceding Chevy Colorado. For those who may have missed it, the first-gen 8-speed was the target of multiple lawsuits against GM, with plaintiffs claiming a range of problems, from jerking, to hesitation, to surging. The question is this – did GM really fix the 8-speed automatic with the new 2023 Chevy Colorado?
To find out, GM Authority Executive Editor Alex Luft got behind the wheel of the 2023 Chevy Colorado for some firsthand experience with the new truck and second-gen transmission, documenting his experience in the following GM Authority exclusive video.
Let’s begin by first elaborating on some of the issues experienced with the first-gen GM 8-speed automatic equipped by the preceding Chevy Colorado. As discussed in the video, there are really four main issues here, starting with the “first shift of the day,” wherein the first shift the truck performs after a cold start (be it from first to second, drive to reverse, etc.) is very rough. The second issue was unpredictable shifting behavior on upshifts, with the transmission sometimes holding a gear for too long, or other times upshifting more quickly than needed. The third issue is unpredictable and rough shifting behavior on downshifts, with the truck sometimes lurching forward. The fourth issue is less pervasive, but still present, and includes a clinking noise when shifting from park to drive.
To address these issues, GM updated the eight-speed automatic with new mechanical components, rather than just a fluid change, as was presented as a solution for owners of the last-gen pickup with the first-generation GM 8-speed automatic. So, did the changes work? Well, to sum up, the new transmission is definitely improved – but not perfect.
Some of the problems experienced with the new 2023 Chevy Colorado include a power delivery issue. When coasting at very low speeds (3 to 5 mph), a quick stab of the throttle is met with hesitation. Rather than immediately accelerate, the power takes a moment to kick in, and when the truck does finally start to accelerate, the delivery is more of a surge than smooth.
The second issue for the GM eight-speed in the 2023 Chevy Colorado occurs when accelerating at wide open throttle, then snapping off the pedal. In this scenario, the transmission will hold very high engine RPMs for a surprisingly long time, and won’t upshift until the driver touches the throttle again. This behavior is actually part of the transmission calibration to keep high-RPM power delivery available if needed, but could be considered an issue for those drivers expecting the transmission to upshift after snapping off the throttle.
That all said, the second-gen GM eight-speed automatic transmission in the 2023 Chevy Colorado is still vastly improved compared to the preceding GM eight-speed automatic, even with the issues outlined above. To note, the GM eight-speed automatic family includes the 8L45 and 8L80, the former of which connects to the 2.7L Turbo engine (RPO code L2R, standard on WT and LT), while the latter connects to the 2.7L Turbo Plus engine (RPO code L3B, standard on Z71 and Trail Boss, available on WT and LT) and 2.7L Turbo High-Output engine (standard on ZR2).
Check out the full GM Authority video below:
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Comments
Good one Alex! Going to check it out.
The hesitation when hitting the throttle seems to be an issue with a lot of newer vehicles. Same thing in my new Ford Ranger and the length of delay is down right dangerous in my wifes Mercedes C300
Turbo lag. If you’re expecting to step on it, put the vehicle into sport mode and add a small amount of throttle in advance.
The VGTs in diesels helps a lot, but it’s too expensive to do that on gas engines.
My 2019 Ranger had delays and jerking
I would like to know, where you are getting the Information about the hesitation on the new 2023 Colorado 8 speed trans? I read all these negative question about the New Colorado and hell it just started sales !
I just purchased a Colorado a few weeks ago and the lag and transmission are terrible.
Very nice Alex. This is exactly what I needed to know. Going to order the Z71 with my dealer tomorrow.
Part of the reason for static shifting on the old 8 is if you had the bad fluid in it and ran it for a considerable amount of time, the transmission learned and stored what it considered “damaged clutches” all GM transmissions 6speeds and newer intelligently monitor shift quality, and if they find certain clutches appear damaged or start to slip, they hold the gear longer and shift softer into the damaged clutches. Even if you had your fluid changed, if you didn’t have your TMC reprogrammed, you still had issues.
I’ve got a question, I own a 2021 Colorado ZR2 and have had a vibration/low hum from the transmission area and have had it into service numerous times.
The service dept. says it can’t be the fluid issue due to it dosen’t have the bad fluid in it.
Have you experienced any low vibration or hum?
Being that I knew the tranny was not great, I got that hum/vibration too, after the fluid change. Thought it was def the tranny. Noisy right through the body and sounded low like in the tranny area. Took it to the dealer, no help. Come to find, out after a lot of googling, it was a loose bracket that went from the right outer fender to the inner fender. Under the wheel well liner. I found the fix on YouTube but I lost the link. I padded it with foam and glued it with adhesive. Hum gone
This was never a problem with manual transmissions ! A tremic 6 speed would be nice
My experience says a bad transmission family is usually always a bad one. Automakers are bean counters so even if an engine or tranny is a POS they still use it for cost spreading purposes. Most likely they are polishing a turd
The transmission was mostly fine. It’s the torque converter that was the problem. Otherwise the 8 speed was and still is a stout transmission.
The transmission is stout in that it doesn’t break. But it certainly didn’t feel all that great in the last gen. Not breaking and not feeling great / refined are two different things, right?
It does seem like they fixed it for the new trucks which is great.
Heard that one before. Time will tell. I would not bet my hard earned money on it. Others can do do if they are bigger gamblers than me.
My 2022 colorado z71 has been in shop for weeks,waiting on the valve body. It jumped jerked, hesitated. My big concern is has it done damage to the rest of the transmission? Started at 14,000 miles
Another online car mag also complained about lazy throttle.
They said it would have been nice if it came with a sport mode to make the throttle more responsive.
But this is a function of the programming, not the transmission.
My Jeep GC is lazy when in Eco mode, but it’s completely different and WAYYY better in Sport mode.
Like, a different vehicle better.
The throttle in my 1st gen Colorado is lazy too, but I think the only fix would be to reprogram it or add some kind of pedal commander.
Sounds like GM needs to add a Sport mode to the truck.
My 2017 Colorado V6 had the shuddering and rough shifting. The torque converter was changed and new fluid. About 10k miles later it started again. They put the latest Mobil 1 fluid fix in. Now when it’s feeling ok it’s one of the smoothest transmissions I’ve driven. But occasionally it still does the same things that you mentioned in the video. Doesn’t upshift with high RPM. The coasting and shifting lurch. So it seems like it’s not totally fixed. I still have the rough first shift issue. But I have a long driveway and when I pull out I don’t touch the accelerator. I let it idle down the driveway. When I get to the road and accelerate it shifts fine. As you said, it seems like there’s a learning curve to driving these trucks. And you eventually can avoid most of the situations. Great video. Thank you
Remove the mobil1, add valvoline MaxLife. Hopefully you didn’t ruin another converter. I have the 9 speed transaxle and had 2 fluid flushes from the dealership. Did my own fluid flush and now no issues. I run Valvoline tranny fluid in both my SUV and farm truck, and you can run it hot and hard. It hold its color and performance.
The article has a misprint. There is no 8L80 transmission. It should be 8L90
Correct. It used to be 6l80 / 6l90 but there was never a 8l80.
Colorado does not use the 8l45 thankfully.
The 2023 Colorado L3B is the 8L80.
Jason – for the 2023 model year, the L2R uses the 8L45, while the L3B in Turbo Plus and High Output guises uses the 8L80. My video was incorrect in saying mentioning the 8L90. Sorry for the confusion!
The 8l80 is new then? I believe it was always 8l45 and 8l90 in the past.
Yes, 8L80 is new.
Everything described here is programmatic. It could be fixed. A sport mode would be great, but just changing the response to be a bit tighter sounds like it would be a welcome change.
I really want one of these 3rd gen Colorados but the only reason I can think of GM using a transmission with such a bad reputation instead of the new 10speed is because they have a $hit load of old parts for the 8 speed in stock some place.
This is a really bad idea and the person that made this decision should be fired.
If the ne 10 speed fit’s behind the Ranger 4 cyl turbo than it should be used behind the GM 2.7
I want GM to be the best and most reliable mfg in the industry.
But for some reason the people making the decisions must work for the competition.
GM time to get your act together….
You have zero clue on anything you just said. If this is a second generation then they wouldn’t be using all the same parts, there are a ton of new ones. I am sure it is for the reasons they said and not the ASSumed reasons you listed as you have no clue other than to try and stir the pot with false information.
You need to pay more attention to what GM said. Instead of shooting your mouth off you no little about.
There was very few new parts. The majority of the parts are the same.
The engineers said they only changed a few parts to effect repair of the complaints.
Hello……..
My bolt has not hesitated- no transmission. Get it guys!
My 22 Colorado 3.6 has the first few shift issues. I have to go up an incline and get on the gas when leaving my driveway. It’s only has 700 miles on it but I have never had a transmission do this. I have 2 Chevy 9 speeds and they are nice and smooth. This 8 spd feels like it’s slipping, iam definitely not happy. Next stop half mile away it takes off fine. Is there any fix for this thing.
Is it slamming into 2nd when you go up this incline after it flares/slips?
J j not slamming, slipping and draw out shift. Does the cold affect theses transmissions. I live in the northeast. Truck sits in a cold garage. Truck is great otherwise. People who say the transmission was goofy after the new fluid is wrong. I experienced shuddering one at well going around 38 mph. Maybe u could call it shuddering during the first few shifts, 1st through 4 th gear
Trifecta Tune will make it shift way better.
The 8 speed had shudder and shift issues when introduced. These issues were compounded when combined with e assist.
GM tried recommended flush and refill with synthetic trans fulid. Next was a software update, and then, TB to drive affected trucks/SUVs 30 minutes at 70 MPH.
The 8 Sp in full size trucks and SUVs was updated in 2019.
I left GM in 2020.
I drive 6L80.
I traded in my 2016 CTS 3.6 V6 for a 2023 CT5 TT V6 with the 10 speed. Immensely better, barely noticeable shifting compare to the 8L45. The 8L45 transmission is crap and the primary reason for the trade. Do not get a vehicle with either the 8L45 or 8L90. You will regret it.
I also have a 2017 ATS 2.0L that my son drives, shifts better than the CTS but the morning first-shift bang always happens, even with the new Mobil synthetic ATF black label fluid flush. Hanging on to this one as it’s shifting is not as bad.
In 2019, the newest recommended Mobil 1 ATF was the blue label. So you might have issues again down the road and have to switch to the blue label.
I believe the latest GM service is for the flush to be with the black label LV fluid. The Blue was an earlier blend that absorbed water and changed the viscosity, the black label is hydrophobic.
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2019/MC-10163890-9999.pdf
If you look at the TSB you posted. On page 3, after step 8 lower left corner of the page “new blue label” is mentioned. The blue label is also an LV ATF HP. And page 17, the part number 19417577 takes you to the blue label.
Fluid Exchange Procedure – Colorado, Canyon, Silverado, Sierra, Yukon Denali and Escalade Models with an Accessible Transmission Oil Cooler Line Block Assembly
Important: This procedure must be followed as published. The exchange process is required to obtain proper level of new blue label Mobil 1 Synthetic LV ATF HP fluid. Intermixing of other types of transmission fluid or aftermarket additive packages will result in a low concentration level of new fluid and will not provide satisfactory results.
http://www.mobil.com/en/lubricants/for-personal-vehicles/our-products/products/mobil-1-synthetic-lv-atf-hp
Thanks for the informative and honest review. The transmission still sounds unrefined. I had a 2012 Tundra and that transmission had some pretty rough shifts (got rid of it after 3 years). I’m a little hesitant to get into a vehicle with an unrefined transmission again. You stated that you thought the truck was unrefined the first time you drove the LT model but have since changed your mind. What was it that caused you to question its refinement and what led to the change in your perspective?
And nice product placement at the beginning of the video. I hope Ray-Ban is compensating you for the advertising. : )
sadly a standard issue with the 8 speed. Sucks too, because I was kind of stoked to learned the DFM was delete on 5.3’s due to chip shortages, but they are stuck with the 8 speed trans.
They need a delay this truck however long it takes to just use the 10 speed and move on.
Everything they make seems to have a stupid caveat. Always something that could have easily been avoided.
Have there been notable problems with the L3B/8L90 in the Silverado over the last 3 years? There should be plenty of trucks that have accrued enough miles for problems to surface, if they were going to.
Dan iam not looking to put premium gas into the truck. Is that required. Does it affect warranty or mess with emissions?
Absolutely NOT. The L3B engine is engineered for, rated on, and owners manual prescribes regular 87 Octane.
They should have trashed the 8 speed and switched to the 10 speed. My 2022 Colorado ZR2 has had transmission problems since a week after I bought it and the dealerships don’t want to do a damn thing about it. They keep kicking me to the curb and it makes me regret giving American vehicles another chance after 16 years of happily owning Frontiers. Had Nissan actually made their “Pro-4x” a REAL off road truck with lockers and a lift… I wouldn’t have even bought the ZR2…. Very disappointing $55k truck!
It was a bit hard for me to catch in the video—we’re you saying you noticed the transmission hiccups you noticed in the turbo plus? The 310 HP/ 390 T tune? The one in the trail boss in your video?
I have never owned a car with an automatic, and I’ll be damned if I’ll buy a truck with one. How hard would it be to give us the option of a good six speed transmission. I understand that not many people want to learn how to drive a manual stick, but at least give us the option. This 8 speed auto sounds scary. i was so happy to hear that Ford has a 7 speed in their Bronko.
I agree 100 percent, I hear about the class action lawsuit for the older models and the new fluid fixed things but it’s bs. My 22 Z71 Colorado has all the same problems, I pull out my driveway in the opposite way I want to travel just so I can go downhill for a ways just because if I go uphill transmission feels like it’s slipping . A mile down to my next intersection with a stop transmission shifts normal. Definitely worry about transmission when warranty expires and cold weather seems to only intensifies issues. Good luck. I hope they add 2022 to the lawsuit, maybe add 10 yr 150,000 extension on this crappy transmission.
Hmmm. Not impressed. Seems like the software is working overtime to mitigate a fundamentally poor shifting transmission. The only plus to that is they might eventually improve the software further? It’s hard to justify GM pushing this out the door. Transmissions are core to the mission and are not cutting edge technology. Get it right. I like everything else about the truck, but will not buy anything with a subpar transmission.