Update:
- General Motors must face class action claims that certain transmissions in its vehicles from the last decade are defective and can create unsafe driving conditions.
- On Aug. 28, a 6th Circuit panel rejected GM’s motion to dismiss the claims, saying it found no reason to undo class certification for the drivers.
- 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 delay 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.
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.
(April 25, 2024)
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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447 thoughts onGM transmission class action to proceed
I have a 2019 Silverado LT Z71 with the 5.3L engine and the 8 speed transmission which exhibits the clunking and lurching on occasion as described, usually from dead stop. Will be getting the trans fluid and filter changed this year
I had to have my transmission replaced in our 2015 Sierra. $ 4000.00 to have replacement.
I have a 2017 GMC Yukon and its transmission does not seem to “coast” when letting off the accelerator. Please add me.
I purchased a 2019 Chevy Silverado used with 25k on it at the dealership , I have had problems with tranny shifting , lurching , delay engagement .
The dealer finally corrected the issue as best they can and it’s better but not 💯.
Please add me .
This is not fair !!
My new Monte Carlo in 2006
Had transmission issues since day 1 of buying it. Even had the extended warranty, of course would never shudder when they had it in the shop the issue, not fsir
Definitely add me to this list! I have a 2015 Yukon Denali XL and have always had concerns over my transmission since we purchased the truck and was constantly told by the dealer that’s just how the car runs/shifts and nothing can be done!
I have a 2018 Chevy Colorado and experienced the vehicle struggling on inclines and even what felt like jumping gears around 70,000 miles. I read online about others having the same problems but GM was not offering any solutions. I even read that they said the wrong transmission fluid was used in the production of these vehicles. I took my truck back to the dealership where a transmission flush was performed and of course I paid out of pocket. I still feel this issue on occasion.
I had a 2019 GMC Canyon Denali with the same problem everybody here is describing. I took it to the dealer 6 different times. They changed the transmission fluid but that did not fix the problem. I saw they were just waiting for the warranty to run out so I would have to pay for the repairs myself. I got rid of it & bought a vehicle that did not have an 8 speed transmission. I will never buy a vehicle with an 8 speed transmission again
I have a 2019 Silverado with the 8 speed. It jerks when coming to a stop sometimes so hard it could hurt your neck. It also shifts delayed and hard into 2nd gear. Reverse is delayed and shifts hard also.
2018 GMC Savan Cargo Van took it in for transmission shudder after recently purchasing the vehicle. I do not believe the problem was fully fixed because from time to time I can feel the same shuddering as I drive it. Please add me.
I have a 2017 Colorado that lunges at slow speeds and hard shifts and shuddering at higher speeds
I had to have my transmission replaced last year on my 2015 GMC YUKON DENALI XL. It was shifting really hard and it shudders when I go 60mph or faster. So disappointing and also my paint is peeling on the hood and roof. A Denali shouldn’t be falling apart like this. I’m mad.