GM 8-Speed Automatic Transmission Lawsuit Granted Class Action Status

The lawsuit filed against GM for allegedly and knowingly selling vehicles with defective transmissions entered a new phase as Eastern District of Michigan judge David Lawson granted it class action certification.

The judge certified the Speerly vs. GM lawsuit on Monday, March 20th, the Detroit Free Press reports. The suit was originally filed over a year ago in January 2022 on behalf of 39 plaintiffs in 26 U.S. states.

The class action lawsuit claims the its 8L45E and 8L90 eight-speed automatic transmissions in thirteen different GM vehicle models produced between 2015 and March 1st, 2019 are defective. The models included in the suit are listed below.

The lawsuit alleges that the affected transmissions are a safety hazard because they can “slip, buck, kick, jerk and harshly engage” from time to time. This, according to the plaintiffs, “causes the vehicle to perform erratically, such as with sudden or delayed acceleration” and sometimes makes it feel as if another car collided with the vehicle when the transmission shifts.

Attorney Ted Leupold of Cohen Milstein claims GM “knowingly sold over 800,000 eight-speed transmission vehicles, which they knew to be defective,” citing the subsequent issuance of more than 60 service bulletins related to the transmissions as proof.

Leupold also alleges “dealers were directed to tell the customers that harsh shifts were ‘normal’ or ‘characteristic'” and described The General’s actions as “highly irresponsible and emblematic of what GM believes it can get away with.”

No injuries or deaths have been connected to the “startling” transmission shifts. The sudden, violent shifts and other problems allegedly result from excess friction in the torque converter caused by internal transmission fluid starvation.

The lawsuit seeks compensation for allegedly excessive payment for defective vehicles or payment for the expenses of transmission replacement. Speerly vs. GM also demands that GM reform its warranties to address these transmission problems and also issue a recall for affected vehicles.

If the torque converter problems result from a design defect and not a manufacturing defect, they are not covered by GM warranties, which currently only provide coverage against manufacturing defects. GM sought to have a similar lawsuit dismissed in August 2021 based on the problem being a design defect.

Maria Raynal, a GM representative, said in response to Monday’s class action certification that “we respectfully decline comment, as is generally our practice with ongoing litigation.”

Subscribe to GM Authority for more GM legal news, GM recall news, GM safety news, and around-the-clock General Motors news coverage.

By Rhian Hunt

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Rhian Hunt

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  • Good.

    I hope GM has to fix the issue this time instead of band aiding it. Knock on wood after a new TC and new fluid back in 2018/19 , my 17 Camaro has been fine.

    Although, I always worry about the longevity. Even tho my car is low mileage.

    • How come my 2018 Suburban is not on the list when the others that are like it are on the list ? Mine has issues in the morning when it is cold and I'm driving slow.

      • Hey Allan
        I have a 2016 suburban with the 6 speed transmission. It does all the things they describe in the article they even replaced the torque converter. When cold the transmission has a vibration. The mechanic blames the tires. It still misses a shift or shifts hard on occasion too. I think the class action suit should be expanded to include all chevy transmission.

        • We have exactly the same issue in our 2016 Suburban. I just paid $7,500 for a new transmission at 85,000 miles.

          • I have a 2016 suburban and the transmission was replaced by dealer@99,000 miles under an extended warranty. Now 70,000 miles later I need another and they say this one is not covered to the tune of $7500. I do 90% highway driving and don’t tow with it. The dealer can’t explain and tells me it happens all then time. I personally know a half dozen people with suburbans who have had similar issue. I have had many suburbans since the 1990’s and this is the only one I have had problems with.

        • This is why someone should sit down with the UAW and get them to flip on the Automakers. This is craziness.

        • Same issue here with a 2016 Chevy Colorado, less than 50,000 miles on it. It's going to cost me almost $4000 to get it fixed.

          • I just filed a formal complete with GM. I shouldn't have to pay for this repair with such low miles on my truck. They gave me a reference number and are going to talk to the certified repair shop where my truck is sitting. Keep my expectations low, but I am hoping that GM will come through with helping on the costs.

          • May I ask the the phone number, department or email you used to file a complaint. I would like to do the same thing.

          • Don't get your hopes up, I just had to have my transmission replaced on a 2017 Silverado with 69,000 miles. Cost me $7100. I filed a complaint with GM and went round and round with them for 2 weeks. The only thing they would offer me was $267.00 dollars (yes, that's right). I told them to keep it. I'll continue looking for options to get some money back, but without a lawsuit I'm sure we're all screwed.

            It was the torque converter issue that fried the transmission.

          • Filed my complaint, got a case # and got my truck fixed. Instead of $4000, it cost me $1200. I always had my truck serviced at an authorized GM repair shop, so that helped. I wasn’t rude with anyone, just stated the facts. Hope the fix lasts, I really like my truck.

          • Who did you complaint with. I do that all the time at the dealer about my 2016 GMC sierra and they don’t do anything about it

          • I have long history with my dealership. Worked for them once. I contacted GM. A spokesperson contacted me, he said after I paid to repair it they would consider paying half. And we have a 2018 Silverado with 74k miles and 8L90 8 speed tranny

        • Go to let off gas pedal to slow down and it kick’s hard into lower gear , also seam’s to stutters like it is slipping from start to 40 mph . Sound like the same thing ?

        • I couldn't even get GM to replace my 8 speed transmission 33000 miles and they just said changing the fluid and filter in it should take care of the problem. It didn't. Now at 63,000 miles they are saying the same thing. Changing the fluid with a different type of fluid. They put it off until the warranty ran out. All the 8 speed transmission are junk.

          • From 2016 onward GM/Caddi has had a problem with torque converter clutch shudder in their 8 speed transmissions, the 8L45 and 8L90, along with downshift issues that feel like you're being rearended. All supposedly taken care of by a trans fluid flush using special Mobil 1 Synthetic LV ATF HP fluid. A simply drain and fill won't get all the contaminated fluid out. The good news is that this most often solves the problem. The bad news is that if the problem has been happening for many miles the torque converter may need replaced. But still not as costly as an entire transmission. See bulletin 18-NA-355.

      • I just got my 2015 Suburban back yesterday from the shop after spending $4,493.17 to replace TC, clutches and misc parts, has 96K miles, it has the 6 speed trans. Have a 2018 GMC Pu Denali with the 8 speed, so far ok, has 89k miles, it's going into shop 11/9/23 to have trans. fluid and filter changed, shop manager says this will fix any problems down the road with the TC and clutches, we will see!

      • Probable like my 2015 Suburban it has a 6 speed tranny not an 8 speed. You can ck by shifting to manual M and using the plus and minus on the shifter go up as far as it will go, if it only goes up to 6 then it is a 6 spped not an 8 speed

          • My 2019 GMC Elevation Trans just gave out. Confirmed by GM and the extended warranty company...
            106,500 miles on the clock.

          • 2017 Corvette Stingray had a violent shudder going 70 mph on highway in 2020. Had a Transmission flush and it's 2024 ( knock on 🪵 wood) so far so good. I change all the fluids once a year and it runs great!

      • My 2018 Suburban had issues also and transmission went out just after it turned over 100,000 miles. I had to spend $5000 to replace it! This is bull!!!!!

        • Same thing happened to my Camaro. Did you get your transmission from the dealership or another shop? The dealership quoted me $8000.

          • 2018 camaro I had a transmission flush with a Mobil 1 synthetic cost me $600, so far no shudder…but for how long

      • My 2023 Silverado has transmission issues when shifting between 1st and 2nd. I have been told (this is normal condition and no repair will change this condition). This is bs.

        • Not knowing what you mean by "issues" I'm still going to throw this out there. If you have the 8sp, 8L45 or 8L90 trans you should feel almost nothing through the gear changes. Most issues are converter clutch shutter, and harsh 2-1 downshifts. TSB 18-NA-355 covers a trans flush with new Mobil 1 ATF. Fewer issues require a software update. But keep in mind that the word around shops is that most vehicles from about 2016 up need the fluid changed at about 60K miles. Lifetime fluid is BS. There's also a class action lawsuit against GM that's gaining traction. Stay tuned.

    • my 2017 colorado has been slipping lurching since i bought it i took it back to dealer who test drove it and of course found nothing i kept a log took it back they still insisted nothing was wrong sooner or later it will fail and ill be stuck with buying a new transmission

  • The lawyers will get rich and the dear old consumer will get a $500 trade in voucher. That’s usually how it goes.

  • My 22 Colorado slips during the first few shifts from a cold start. They should have to warranty all the transmission’s past 100,000 miles and replace with new transmissions if they can’t repair. The entire generation of this transmission including 2020,21,22. This lesson of selling a crappie tranny should hit them financially.

    • Ken you knew GM had problems with this transmission and you still brought one anyway why ?? You should have brought a Tacoma or Nissan Frontier you wouldn’t have had these problems.

    • I also have a 2022 Colorado and until the transmission heats up to at least 60 degrees it shifts hard from 2nd to 1st gear. Usually takes about 10 minutes to heat up then after that it shifts just fine.

    • I have a 2021 Canon Denali that has a hesitation or slip during a cold start also. After a few minutes warm up it seem to disappear during the transmission shift. The Service manager indicated it was an on going issue with the transmissions that has not been resolved at this time.

    • I bought a new 22 Colorado last summer had no problem till the weather got colder.i have the same 8 speed transmission. It is junk and dealer does nothing to resolve the problem.

      • Gm should have to replace all the defective transmissions, but with What another defective transmissions, that’s what gm would do, they are unscrupulous, they only care about short term profit, I will never buy anything from gm again, they say my GMC is professional grade, professional junk

    • I bought a new 22 Colorado 4x4 last summer had no problem till the weather got colder.i have the same 8 speed transmission. It is junk and dealer does nothing to resolve the problem. Has all the problems stated in this article. Why hasn't the Colorado been added to this class action lawsuit???

  • Chrysler finally gave up on their in house engineered automatics and went with a ZF design a few years ago. Haven't heard about issues with their 8speeds. Maybe GM should do the same.

    • Your right because gm can’t make a good transmission, it seems like they can’t do anything right,

  • I have a 2018 sierra 5.3l with a 6 speed and it does basically all of the above described in the lawsuit. Dealer has told me twice, "that's normal, it just has to get used to your driving habit". Well it's 5 years old now and still doing it, especially when cold.

    • GM is offering a “free” TCM reflash for the 6 speed if you take it to the dealer. It seems to have fixed mine.

      Also, side note, that Sierra HD pictured at the top of the article does not have the 8 speed transmission.

    • Our 2016 Sierra (5.3 L:, 6-speed) with 80000 miles had its transmission completely die on a road trip 1000 miles from home. Had to have new torque converter and trans rebuild at a local shop (Arkansas), $3300. Guys told me it was a widespread problem and I should look into history of recalls, lawsuits etc.

      • Exact same thing happened to my 2015 Sierra. Luckily I was at home. I think its was $3600 all in with a tow.

    • Mark W.,
      The dealership (and you) need to read the online GM Technical Service Bulletins (TSB) on these vehicles. I posted them earlier. The link is in the old comments section of GM A. Mine, a 17 2SS Camaro, had trans vibrations felt throughout the body, in the seats and steering wheel in most gears under normal accelerations and would lung out of first gear. They flushed it twice with the correct Mobil 1 synthetic trans oil (25 quarts). That took care of the vibration. The harsh shift continued thus, they changed the trans valve body unit in the transmission to alleviate the thrust. So far that worked. Time will tell. When a car is new or has had a major trans repair the onboard computer is reset by the mechanic, and it learns your driving habits and shift patterns. I'm not an engineer and thus can not go into it any more than that, but the GM trans mechanics I've talked with validated that for me.
      If the dealership you're going to continues to ignore your complaint, go to other dealerships until you find one that understands the issue and fixes it. Sadly, not all dealerships are the same. I hope that helps...

  • So the transmission have not met the expectations of some owners. No failures to do the job, no accidents, no injuries, a little harsh shifting, a little shuttering, a little hesitate, but still do the job of what the truck was built to do. So the trans not meeting the expectations of some owners. This is what I am hearing. So if you buy an auto that do not meet your expectations, you can sue. I have not heard anyone say the transmission do not work, all I hear is it do not meet my expectations.

    • In a premium car such as a Cadillac or a Corvette, one should not expect to experience a transmission that feels like it is going over highway rub strip surfaces when it harshly changes gears. I've had 4 of these 8 speeds, thinking that the newer ones would have gotten better, but they did not. The irony of this is that GM in the past has produced world-class automatic transmissions that, at one time many years ago, were used in very high-line European cars.

    • This is about many these owners had to replace the transmission and pay for it. Even with a full coverage warranty. It was GM bad selling tactics. They knew of the problem and are not taking responsibility for it.

    • The 8L90 transmission is junk. I have a 2015 GMC 1500 4x4 6.2 sitting at the transmission shop right now. It shuddered, shook, and had an issue with hard shifting soon after buying it until finally breaking down with what shop calls catastrophic transmission failure. Now it’s going to cost $8500 to replace the transmission because they’re discontinued and hard to find.
      I’ve owned GM products for 30yrs but don’t plan on buying another one because this is a joke and a slap in the face of their customers

    • I have a 2017 GMC Sierra, Just got it back from the shop 3 weeks ago. I left my transmission on the 405 freeway 2nd lane in. Yeah just left LAX at 5:15 p.m. Great fun trying to get to the exit, didn't make it CHP had to push up the ramp! So Dwight ( who works for GM and drives an F 150 ) Perhaps people didn't want to rehash the unpleasant experience again.

      • Greetings I have a 2017 GMC Sierra too, and the transmission is given me error code P0700 and P07110 for a transmission temp sensor and a transmission module. Did the dealer fix your transmission?

        Kevin R

    • My transmission just went on me with 86,000 miles on it. I have a 2019 Trail Boss. I complained about this to my dealer and took it in back in 2020-2021 and they stated they checked the transmission an there was no problem. So i am supposed to pay the $7,000 for a new transmission because I didn't go to mechanic school?

      • I don’t know about you, but I paid a lot of money for my truck and I don’t wanna get aggravated every time I drive it you have the same attitude GM has, a transmission should not slip jerk or a bang if I want that I’ll get on the roller coaster.

    • I don’t know about you, but I paid a lot of money for my truck and I don’t wanna get aggravated every time I drive it you have the same attitude GM has, a transmission should not slip jerk or a bang if I want that I’ll get on the roller coaster

  • I TOO HAVE A 2017 CHEVY SILVERADO LTZ WITH 8 SPEED 6.2 ENGINE.I'VE BEEN COMPLAINING TO THE VARIOUS DEALERS ABOUT THIS TRANNY SINCE THE FIRST WEEK I OWNED IT.GREAT TRUCK IN EVERY OTHER WAY 19.8 MPG AROUND TOWN,28.4 ON LONG TRIP ANND 420 HP.BUT THIS TRANNY IS HORRIBLE AND THE EXCUSES THAT I WAS GIVEN ON HOW THIS ISSUE WAS "NORMAL"IS A SLAP IN THE FACE .I'VE OWNED A BODY SHOP FOR 52 YEARS AND AM NOT STUPID.HOPEFULLY GM WILL DO THE RIGHT THING AND MAKE GOOD ON A WARRANTY FOR PUTTING OUT A BAD TRANNY

  • My 2017 50th Anniversary 2SS Camaro convertible, eight-speed transmission, with 6K miles had this condition. I noticed a shake or vibration during light throttle acceleration, which occurred between 25 and 75 mph at a steady state. Not during acceleration. You could actually see the tach needle move up and down in a given gear. One could also feel a constant vibration in the body, seat and steering wheel. When I noticed the condition I stopped driving the vehicle until I could get it into GM service at Randy Wise.
    I was told they flushed the transmission with 25 quarts of Mobil 1 special transmission fluid (blue label not black) to remove moisture in the trans fluid and metal shavings caught in the transmission and torque converter. After the flush they filled the transmission with 10 quarts of the same transmission fluid. They went on to say If the shudder does not stop entirely after the flush or the Trans starts to jump, it is flushed up to 2 more times. Then, if not fixed, the torque converter is replaced under GM warranty. It is unclear how long GM will honor the warranty.
    In 10K miles no issues are evident. I still worry this fix will not be permanent. GM should provide an extended transmission warranty to the vehicles listed in the article. Thank you for reporting on this. Had you not written the article consumers would not have known. Good job!

    • I have a 20-9 or st

      I have a 2019 Corvette ZR1 automatic and would like regular update on this issue…
      Thank You

  • I have a 2018 ATS with the 3.6 V6. I had problems with the transmission from the start. Dealer changed the fluid and put Mobil 1 in it. So far so good but should I take back to dealer over this new stuff

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Rhian Hunt
2 years ago

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