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A class action lawsuit claims that more than a dozen GM vehicles possess a defective transmission that causes them to shake when when shifting gears, and can cause the transmission to fail prematurely.
The GM transmission shake class action lawsuit was filed by Dennis Duffy, Richard Sullivan, Daniel Baptist, Dennis Speerly, Michael Plafker, John Iasiello, and Benjy Tompkins, who say they all drive GM vehicles manufactured between 2015 and 2018.
The vehicles listed in the GM class action include the 2015-2019 Chevrolet Silverado; 2017-2019 Chevrolet Colorado; 2015-2019 Chevrolet Corvette; 2016-2019 Chevrolet Camaro; 2015-2019 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV; 2016-2019 Cadillac ATS, ATS-V, CTS, CT6, and CTS-V; 2015-2019 GMC Sierra, Yukon, and Yukon XL, and Yukon Denali XL; and the 2017-2019 GMC Canyon.
Allegedly, each of these vehicles are equipped with one of two models of eight-speed automatic transmissions, both manufactured by GM: the GM 8L90 or 8L45.
The GM class action states that while the vehicles are being driven, if a driver attempts to accelerate or decelerate, their vehicles hesitate then “shake, shudder, jerk, clunk, or ‘hard shift’” when the transmission changes gears.
The GM shake class action lawsuit says this shaking also happens when the vehicles accelerate in one gear, and not just when they shift gears.
Allegedly, this defect makes the vehicles uncomfortable to drive, and can be so violent that the driver thinks they have been hit and can cause them to lose control of the vehicle.
The GM shake class action lawsuit notes that “one purchaser reported that the transmission shifted from ‘reverse’ to ‘drive’ so harshly that he almost drove through his garage door.”
Additionally, the GM transmission defect class action lawsuit asserts that the defect can cause the transmissions to fail prematurely. Allegedly, the shaking and jerking is caused by internal issues in the transmission and/or torque converter.
This internal problem reportedly causes friction on surfaces, hydraulic systems, and gears, preventing the system from functioning properly and causing metal shavings to be circulated throughout the transmission.
The GM transmission class action lawsuit says this defect, and the metal shavings circulating, causes damages to the transmission over time and requires components to be replaced.
The drivers argue that GM is aware of the defect but failed to notify consumers. Allegedly, GM’s actions and the defect caused financial injury to consumers, who say that had they known their vehicles were defective, they would not have purchased it or would not have paid as much as they did for it.
Supporting their claim that GM is aware of the defect, the drivers note that GM has issued 13 versions of a “technical service bulletin” related to the shifting transmission problem since 2015.
Allegedly, these bulletins were designed to inform dealerships of the problems, and advising them how to deal with the issue. However, the plaintiffs say GM has not implemented a solution to the problem and has not compensated drivers.
The plaintiffs further note that GM has not informed customers of the problem and instead misleads them into believing that the vehicles are functional and free of defects.
The GM drivers are represented by Theodore J. Leopold, Andrew N. Friedman, Douglas J. McNamara, and Julia A. Horowitz of Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll PLLC; and by Robert Gordon and Steven Calamusa of Gordon & Partners PA.
The GM Transmission Defect Class Action Lawsuit is Dennis Duffy, et al. v. General Motors Inc., Case No. 2:19-cv-11875-AC-MKM, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
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78 thoughts onGM Class Action Alleges Transmission ‘Shake’ Defect
I owned a 2015 Yukon where the trainsmission was so bad that Ihad to pay to get another put in. it cost me lots of money and it was a pain in the rear.
My 2018 Chevy Silverado does exactly what is stated above.when it downshift it feels like something hit u from the back.took it twice to dealership and they refuse to fix.at 7000 miles now it clunks on almost all gears .
My 2014 traverse has been having a shifting issue for the last 1.5 years I ended up having a flush and filter change still no change.
Have the solenoids or timing chain looked at.
Had a 2016 CTS-V that shifted horribly. Got a new 2017 CT6 platinum. It’s worse. Transmission was replaced at 14k miles. Still harsh, rough, and jarring. They tried to tell me that was normal. I said “uh—no!”
add me please my Cadillac cts did the same thing but it was a 2015..had to trade it in for a new car purchase..
I had a brand new 2014 Chevy Silverado that had this transmission issue I took back to the dealer over 7 times they never did fix this issue and I ended up trading for a 2012 Chevy Silverado
Are you kidding me? I have a 2003 Monte Carlo that has this problem and am having to try and figure it out on my own because no one knows what he hell the problem could be! I believe that if I put one of the executives in my driver’s seat, they would know this problem is not a new problem for GM! I am appalled at the very idea that it is only with those certain models and engine sizes. I got the v6 and he shake is so violent that it can make the driver switch lanes, also shifting hard symptoms randomly, or intermittently, after stopping at lights & backing up.
Same thing happened with my 2017 GMC Sierra SLT. Truck would hesitate while slowing down and hard shift while accelerating and sounded like something was going to fall out from underneath my truck. Dealership said that they couldn’t reproduce the same effect and stated that I was hearing things. Traded the truck in 2 years later for a 2019 GMC Sierra SLT and same problems. Hate to say it but I will be switching to a different brand.
I’m so glad i found this!! I bought a certified preowned 2018 Colorado last year with only 14k miles on it. I noticed crazy shifts in the transmission the second night of owning it and it hasn’t improved. To this day the truck shutters and almost acts like it’s trying to stall when i try to accelerate after coming to a stop. It’s so apparent it’s a transmission problem. It seems to only do this after it’s sat overnight and the vehicle cools off. It usually stops once i drive for a while. The truck also makes a loud cracking sound (like a bad suspension or worn springs) when pulling in the driveway. I thought that was a suspension flaw, but now i’m not sure if this isn’t also in the drive train. I am sick of GM’s poor quality.
My 2017 Chev Silverado original owner. Downshifting 1st and 2nd gears – hard shift, shakes the entire truck
Also the fuel injection system failures and constant engine light.