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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444 thoughts onGM transmission class action to proceed
I got a 2017 GMC YUKON. My transmission went around 90000 miles. I had to pay $4000 to get it fixed. At 91000 the dam air conditioner went out. I had to pay $1200 for that.
I have a 2020 chevy silverado 1500 with that transmission its been doing the exact same thing an latest event it downshifts to low gear an then after downshifting it lurches forward followed by a reduced engine power.
I have a 2016 2500 and just had to pay 6212.60 to replace my transmission and I’m still having issues. IS my truck covered and how do I get into this lawsuit?
I have a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 5.3L, Iam currently experiencing this transmission symptoms as stated in the class action.
I had to replace my transmission in my 2019 Silverado 1500 last year at 80,000 miles. I tried to get information on the class action lawsuit; however, my vehicle has the 6-speed transmission, and no one ever responded to any of my inquiries. I would love to file a class action suit or be included in one- I know many others who have had the same issue with their 6-speed transmissions in their Silverados as well.
I have a 2018 yukon with 90k miles I bought new. The transmission went at 75k and now the motor is out with a collapesd lifter at 90k. The main issue with the transmissions are faulty torque converters, (which surprise mine had) that’s the “fluid” problem. Something needs to be done I’m out >10k in a year and I’ve serviced and done all the extras to prevent such things. Government Motors is a fraud, they know it and something needs to be done!
I bought my 2017 GMC Sierra 1500 4DR, 4WD brand new. I took it back to the dealership to be serviced shortly after buying it. I told them at that time, and at every service, that it shifted hard. They always said that there was nothing wrong with it and that it may be my driving. Before my warranty was up that dealership went out of business. The other GMC dealership that I took it to said that I needed to take it back to the dealer it was purchased at. With all the run around I gave up and learned to live with it. The hard shifting became worse and it started lunging after it shifted hard and I was afraid that it would leave me on the side of the road. Last week I had the transmission rebuilt, I couldn’t afford a new one, and so far it is shifting good. I can’t say the fear and the stress it has caused me os over, only time will tell.
I have a GMC 2019 GMC Siera 5.3 L 4 wheel drive truck. Last year until early this year I had issue with my truck jumping when coming to a stop. I think it is a transmission problem, that GMC knows about. Took it to the dealer and said it was transsmission fluid and filter that needed to be changed. I wound up paying over a $1,000 for this work. It has helped some, but there is still some jump in truck when shifting gears. Still may need transmission. Had to buy their exended warranty to cover this and other control and power module issues I have had that caused truck to loose power. Truck only has 50,000 miles on it. They need to be sued. I need help. All they give you is reward points to cover up their problems.
I have a 2012 GMCAcadia 6 cylinder which is not covered under this action but my vehicle does the same thing. A transmission module (?) Is known to fail around 100,000 miles. I was told this is normal for a truck. I already replaced the first one at my cost. That has failed now since I am over 200,000 miles now. Someone should look at these vehicles.
I have a 2018 GMC 1500 denali with these problems. Started at about 70k miles. Took it dealer the local Chevy dealer. First time they flushed the transmission. I did t help. Next time I took it back they replaced the wirring harness in the transmission. No luck. Still has the same problems.