GM class action overview:
- Who: Thirteen consumers filed a class action lawsuit against General Motors (GM).
- Why: The class action lawsuit claims vehicles with a GM Hydra-Matic 8L90 or Hydra-Matic 8L45 transmission have transmission fluid and transmission issues that cause the vehicles to shudder, lurch forward or delay acceleration.
- Where: The GM transmission class action was filed in federal court in Michigan.
A group of 13 consumers claims certain transmissions in General Motors vehicles from the last decade are defective and can create unsafe driving conditions, according to a new GM transmission class action.
The plaintiffs say GM’s Hydra-Matic 8L90 and Hydra-Matic 8L45 transmissions manufactured between 2014 and March 2019 can cause vehicles to shudder, lurch forward or have delayed acceleration.
They allege the issues are caused by transmission fluid issues, which can allegedly cause the GM transmissions to fail to purge air properly from valve bodies. This, the class action argues, is the cause of the shudder, lurching and delayed acceleration, as well as overall poor shift quality.
GM class action: Automaker elected not to recall, replace defective transmissions
The GM transmission issues happen around the time the affected vehicles’ warranties run out, the class action claims. The plaintiffs allege that GM covers fluid flushes for customers who complain about their transmissions during the warranty period, without fixing the underlying issues.
GM engineers asked the company to fix the transmission issues for $305 a vehicle, which would have cost GM about $592 million, according to the lawsuit.
GM instead only replaced the defective transmission in 6,518 unsold Cadillacs and trucks in certain states where it expected customers to complain within warranty, the GM class action claims.
Six drivers filed a 2022 class action lawsuit alleging that several vehicles manufactured by GM are equipped with defective eight-speed transmissions and that GM concealed the defects from buyers for years.
Do you own a vehicle with a GM Hydra-Matic 8L90 engine? Let us know in the comments.
The plaintiffs are represented by Theodore J. Leopold, Douglas J. McNamara, Karina G. Puttieva and Madelyn N. Petersen of Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll PLLC along with Robert Gordon, Steven Calamusa, Geoff Stahl and Rachel Bentley of Gordon & Partners PA; Russell D. Paul and Amey J. Park of Berger Montague PC; Tarek H. Zohdy, Cody R. Padgett and Laura E. Goolsby of Capstone Law APC; E. Powell Miller, Sharon S. Almonrode, Brian M. Saxe, Emily E. Hughes and Dennis A. Lienhardt of The Miller Law Firm PC; Joseph H. Meltzer, Melissa L. Yeates, Lisa M. Port, Tyler S. Graden, Jordan E. Jacobson and James A. Maro of Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check LLP; Lynn Lincoln Sarko, Gretchen Freeman Cappio and Ryan McDevitt of Keller Rohrback LLP; and Michael L. Pitt and Beth Rivers of Pitt McGehee Palmer Rivers PC.
The GM class action lawsuit is Ulrich, et al. v. General Motors LLC, Case No. 2:24-cv-11007-JJCG-EAS, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan Southern Division.
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212 thoughts onGM class action alleges vehicles with Hydra-Matic 8L90 transmission have defects
I have a 2019 Silverado that has transmission problems that the dealer won’t do anything until GM does they changed the fluid and reset computers but it still sometimes hesitates and lunges forward it is very scary and dangerous transmission response does someone have to get killed the dealer says that it doesn’t do anything wrong I think it mainly happens after the truck is parked for days I get scared pulling out on the interstate highway I live on first thing in the morning it could just malfunction at the wrong time and have another vehicle hit me why am I a victim after buying a brand new 40,000 dollar truck it’s not right
I have a 2018 Colorado ZR2 with the Gen 1 8L90 transmission that’s total crap I’m not a happy camper at all. Wait for it I build these transmissions and can get 0 assistance. To everyone who has one of these faulty transmissions I’m sorry and I so wish that the company would do the right thing and fix the issue. It’s unfortunate they don’t even help their employees 😕
I’ve got a 2019 Chevy Silverado and had it in dealership for transmission slipping at 25000 miles.now I have 40000 and I’m scared to pull my trailer. Don’t think I would make it to campground what a shame. Dealership said it was fine now it is out of warranty
I have a 2018 GMC Canyon, purchased brand new. The transmission started having problems at exactly 450 mi, with extremely delayed shifting. I took it to three dealers during the warranty period. All paid lip service, claiming it was “the design of the transmission.” It currently has only 24,600 miles, but still shifts very slowly and poorly on occasion – especially after sitting for a few hours or days
I have a 2017 GMC Sierra and the transmission had to be rebuilt at 75k miles. The transmission cooling system has a ‘thermostat’ much like the engine cooling which causes the transmission to operate at a higher temp, which also contributes to premature failure. There is a $30 fix for that, that doesn’t require you to pull the transmission.
I have a 2015 Silverado with the 6.2 liter and 8 speed transmission that has been bad going from 1st to 2nd. My dealer said it is caused by the clutch pack but Chevrolet was not doing anything about it. They should have done a recall a long time ago.
When do you the comsumers expect a settlement payout date. Had to replace transmission in chevy silverodo.
Have the 6l80 in my 2018 sierra same issues. Looking for a trans now need the 6l80 included in this
2019 Sierra with continual trans problems. Truck was in the shop for a couple months getting a new valve body along with seven others, which I found out later. Every couple of months I take it in for the same issue and constantly get the run around.
Hello I have a 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 5.3, how would I know if I have this particular transmission? Thank you
I own 2020 Chevy Silverado that is now at 64K miles that has just started this same problem. I called Chevy and they act like they do not know anything about it. I searched and found the temporary fix that MIGHT fix it but Chevy said unless I take it to a dealer and pay the dianostic fee they will not cover it.