GM Class Action Says 8-Speed Transmissions Defective

Certain GM eight-speed transmissions are defective and can result in “violent” lurches, according to a recent class action lawsuit.

A group of plaintiffs claim that General Motors (GM) manufactured vehicles between 2015 and 2019 that were equipped with defective transmissions.

The allegedly defective automatic transmission models are the GM 8L90 and the GM 8L45.

The defect in these transmissions reportedly results in a “hesitation” when drivers are attempting to accelerate or decelerate, “followed by a significant shake, shudder, jerk, clunk, or ‘hard shift’ when the vehicle’s automatic transmission changes gears.” This can reportedly also occur when the driver is accelerating in a single gear and not actively shifting gears.

According to the GM transmission class action lawsuit, the shift from the transmission is so violent that it feels as if the vehicle has been hit by another car. One purchaser even reported almost driving through his garage door when the transmission shifted from reverse to drive.

Plaintiffs in the GM class action claim that the defect is related to internal issues with the transmission and torque converter.

The defect allegedly results in “undue friction” on surfaces which causes the hydraulic systems and gears to malfunction. As a result, metal shavings are generated in the transmission and circulate throughout the component, the GM class action states.

The GM class action lawsuit claims that the only repair for the defect is a complete replacement of transmission components. This includes the torque converter, valve body, or, in serious cases, the entire transmission.

“As such, the Transmission Defect endangers the drivers and passengers of the vehicles and diminishes the value of the vehicles,” the plaintiffs argue. “It creates uncertainty for drivers of the Subject Vehicles, who cannot rely on their vehicles to operate consistently, reliably, or safely.”

The plaintiffs claim that GM is aware of the transmission issue and has even released 13 technical service bulletins (TSBs) related to it. Despite this internal acknowledgement of the problem, GM has allegedly failed to warn consumers about the defective nature of their transmissions.

Additionally, if the transmission defect reportedly cannot be repaired under a vehicle’s warranty, drivers are being forced to foot the massive bills for replacing their defective transmission.

“Had GM been truthful with Plaintiffs that the Subject Transmissions were unfixable, and that as a result, GM was not able to repair the Subject Transmissions effectively under warranty, Plaintiffs would not have purchased their vehicles, or would not have paid as much as they did,” the GM transmission class action lawsuit claims.

Plaintiffs in the GM class action seek to represent several state-based Classes of consumers who purchased or leased a passenger vehicle equipped with a GM 8L45 or 8L90 transmission on or after April 10, 2015. The states represented include Michigan, California, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, and Texas.

The GM transmission class action lawsuit seeks restitution, disgorgement, compensatory damages, actual damages, statutory damages, punitive damages, equitable relief, court costs, and attorneys’ fees.

Plaintiffs are represented by Michael L. Pitt and Beth M. Rivers of Pitt McGehee Palmer and Rivers PC; Theodore J. Leopold, Andrew N. Friedman, Douglas J. McNamara, and Julie A. Horwitz of Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll PLLC; and Robert Gordon and Steven Calamusa of Gordon & Partners PA.

The GM Transmission Defect Class Action Lawsuit is Francis, et al. v. General Motors LLC, Case No. 2:19-cv-11044-DML-DRG, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.

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