We’ve begun working on a reliability series that will eventually (hopefully) cover every pickup and SUV on the market. One of the first stories I worked on involved the Chevy Silverado, and the biggest issue I found pertained to the GM 8-speed transmission.
But the issue is much bigger than just Silverado. In fact, the Hydra-Matic 8L90 and 8L45 transmissions at the root of the problem have been used in 15 different GM products since 2014 – including everything from the Chevrolet Corvette all the way to the Cadillac Escalade.
So, it should surprise no one there is lawsuit pending. It was originally filed in April of 2019, but as CarComplaints.com reports, that lawsuit is in the news this week because there were some partial dismissals.
The gist of the lawsuit is that these transmissions have a known, common defect. Specifically, as detailed on DocketBird.com, point No. 2 of the introduction states:
“Drivers attempting to accelerate or decelerate their cars feel a hesitation, followed by a significant shake, shudder, jerk, clunk, or ‘hard shift’ when the vehicle’s automatic transmission changes gears.”
GM, of course, is trying to get the lawsuit dismissed, including the express warranty claims, arguing the plaintiffs allege all these transmissions are plagued equally with the problem (which GM says isn’t true) and are talking about a design defect, and not something covered by the warranty.
Though the judge has said most of the lawsuit allegations can move forward, there are two items that were dismissed:
- A claim for class-wide money damages under the Colorado Consumer Protection Act
- Implied warranty claims of all plaintiffs under the laws of Alabama, Arizona, Connecticut, Idaho, Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, Washington and Wisconsin
What the judge didn’t dismiss: The claim that GM acted fraudulently by selling vehicles it knew were defective.
You can see the complete list of vehicles covered by this lawsuit on CarComplaints.com, but the trucks and SUVs involved include:
- 2015-2019 Chevrolet Silverado
- 2017-2019 Chevrolet Colorado
- 2015-2019 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV
- 2015-2019 GMC Sierra
- 2015-2019 GMC Yukon
- 2015-2019 GMC Yukon XL
- 2015-2019 GMC Yukon Denali XL
- 2017-2019 GMC Canyon
The bottom line on the GM transmission lawsuit
We’ll keep an eye on this lawsuit, but don’t expect a resolution next week – or probably even this year. These things tend to drag on.
But, frankly, it doesn’t look like it’s going to end well for GM. As noted by CarComplaints.com, the judge specifically stated “plausible inferences may be drawn that GM had substantial knowledge” of the transmission problems before any of the plaintiffs purchased their vehicles.
Oops.
Related posts:
Is the 2014-2018 Chevy Silverado 1500 reliable? One year to avoid
23 comments
Ryan
$5800 for Chevy / GM messed up transmission issue. You would think that they would resolve this so that their customers would have faith in their product. I feel very ashamed of them as a lifetime Chevy. Owner I will never buy a Chevy pick up truck ever again.
Forrest Gadbury
Ihave a 2018 GMC Seria has bad transmission problems took to dealer they change oil said the torque was loading up.after oil change don’t shutter anymore but slips bad when shifting service man said GM said that was normal but i know better!
David Tedder
I Bought a 2017 GMC Serri from GMC Dealership with 16,900 miles on it and it would hesitate between 1st and 2nd gear leaving me trying to get on a busy hiway putting my life in danger. Took truck to dealership and they put Mobil 1 transmission fluid in it and it did nothing about hesitation and clunky shifting. It now has 36,000 miles on it and I Am afraid I am stuck with it. They should be held accountable
Jarvis
Could anyone provide me with the attorney leading the lawsuit against GMC?
Anonymous
I have a 2016 GMC SIERRA 1500 last Wed my check engine light came on AutoZone diagnostic said it’s the transmission. It’s in my driveway and the fluid is black and it won’t move
Andres
Took for Transmission Oil & filter replace 600 miles later Transmission urnt Skipping gears RPM high…oil completely Byrnt 85k miles 2015 Silverado v6 4×4…No Help so far Chevrolet…
Santiago Montoya
My transmisión went out on my silverado 1500 and gm don’t want to pay for it .who do I get a hold of to put a lawsuit on them. Is a 2018.
Kenneth Riggins
My transmission went out at 59,000 on my 2017 2500 took 4 week to fix could not get parts..
Wm S.
Over the last week, my 2018 Chevy High Country (5.3L)started this clunking and shuttering at 55,500 miles. I’m the second-owner since and 31,000 miles, I’ve had no issues till now. This thread has been helpful but with such low mileage, and my towing is limited to a landscape trailer, they advertise these truck to withstand much more. I shouldn’t be accountable.
Chris Bunnell
Bought my son a GMC truck and he hadn’t driven it a year and never towed a thing and the transmission is shot. They want around 7000 to put in a new one and 4500 to rebuild. Gm trucks such. They should recall these and pay for the transmissions
Ms Stewart
Wow 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 4×4 Transmission went completely out. I was almost killed in traffic GM isn’t doing anything. Smh
Ken
Own a 2017 GMC Sierra and the transmission is gone at 102,000 miles. Took it in with 35,000 miles and told them it was not right as it jumped in the downshift mode one in a while. Dealer couldn’t get it to do it but replaced a module and sent me on my way. Now they want $5500 to replace it which is BS! I plan to fight them on this. The problem was documented and recorded and GM is only willing to give me $500 toward the repair. I told them that is all I should pay and they should assume the rest.. Never did any heavy towing at all. I plan to fight this!
Roger Bone
I bought a 2017 silverado January 2021 from a Chevy dealer with 86000 miles. The transmisssion had just been replaced. After 12 months and 7000 miles that transmission went out. The dealer replaced that transmission and it leaked. The truck is still at the dealer waiting on another transmission. My previous truck was a 2000 Tundra that I drove 22 years with hardly any repairs other than maintainence. I’ll never buy another GM vehicle.
Terry J
I have a 2016 Sierra that has been acting like this since about 15,000 miles and now has 45,000. I guess I’ll start my fight the next service!
Rick w
Similar problems 2015 Tahoe LTZ. Also did the recommended transmission service in complete transmission flush according to the maintenance manual. 120 thousand miles transmission went out. 5000+ dollars to fix it
Ashley ward
My husband truck was barely at 120k miles and the transmission went out. Now we are in debt to this transmission just so he could work
Kenneth Phillips
My 2016 GMC Yukon hit 115,00 miles and all the mentioned symptoms started. It’s at the GM dealer now being inspected and I fear the results will be the aforementioned… This is @#$% ridiculous, I have spent several thousand for the recommended maintenance and the tranny goes out after 100k miles? Totally unacceptable!!! Three of my friends have purchased Yukon XL’s due to my recommendations, I now must inform them to get rid of them before the transmission goes out… SMH
Gary House
We just replace our transmission on 2016 GMC Sierra
Mile 63630 cost 5,000.00 and they found metal. This transmission should have been replaced when they replaced the toque converter..
Kevin Brummel
We have 6 trucks between the year 2014-2018, 4 of them needed transmissions just after they had 100,000 miles on them
Steve Byrd
I have had 2 GMC 1/2 ton trucks that the transmission failed in at about the 100k mark. No help from GM.
George H Clarke
Just spent over $5000.00 for my transmission in my 2018 GMC shutter problem and shavings were found
Andy White
35,000 miles. 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 with transmission (torque converter) shudder. Dealership changed fluid. So far it shifts smooth. I will drive for 500 miles and report back to dealer. If problem returns they will replace converter.