Now with more than 60 technical service bulletins (TSBs) filed related to GM’s Hydra-Matic 8-speed transmission, a class action lawsuit has been filed against the automaker.
Harper, et al., v. General Motors, LLC. was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, according to CarComplaints.com.
We covered this issue last year, but now it seems like this will proceed to some kind of court resolution. GM seemed to acknowledge this issue when it replaced some 8-speed transmissions in some GMC Sierras and Silverados, but that’s as far as the automaker has gone at this point.
Hard shifting at the heart of the complaints
When the words “slip, buck, kick and jerk” appear as it relates to a transmission shifting, that’s never a good thing. The full legal wording related to the GM 8-speed transmission says: ” (the transmission will) slip, buck, kick, jerk, harshly engage, suffer abnormal internal wear, sudden acceleration, delay in downshifts, delayed acceleration, difficulty stopping the vehicle, and eventually require replacement of the transmission or its components.”
The plaintiffs claim the transmissions cause safety hazards and expensive repairs once the 8-speed transmissions fail.
According to the lawsuit, the shuddering, shaking, jerking and hesitation comes from internal problems within the transmission and torque converter. And a judge who refused to dismiss the lawsuit said: “plausible inferences may be drawn that GM had substantial knowledge of this issue.”
What vehicles are impacted in the GM transmission lawsuit?
The 8-speed transmission lawsuit includes these models.
- 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
- 2016-2019 Cadillac CTS, CTS-V
- 2016-2019 Cadillac CT6
- 2015-2019 GMC Sierra
- 2015-2019 GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL, and Yukon Denali XL
- 2017-2019 GMC Canyon
The good news is newer vehicles don’t seem to be impacted, but this lawsuit, which has been ongoing for three years, is not going away. Additionally, there hasn’t been a full-fledged recall from GM.
Details from the lawsuit filing alleges “a GM insider said the automaker was aware some transmissions are defective and is working on a kit to fix the fluid starvation problem internally but has done nothing to inform owners of the potential dangers of erratic shifting.”
Further, the filing asks General Motors to “stop selling all the vehicles and replace all the 8-speed transmissions with new non-defective transmissions.”
Additionally, the plaintiffs argue owners should be awarded “actual, compensatory, exemplary, and statutory damages, including interest, including damages for economic loss including loss of the benefit of the bargain, overpayment damages, diminished value and out-of-pocket losses.”
Here are the law firms handling the case: Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll PLLC, Gordon & Partners, P.A., Berger Montague PC, Capstone Law APC, The Miller Law Firm, P.C., Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP, LLP, Keller Rohrback L.L.P., and Pitt, McGehee, Palmer & Rivers, P.C.
IF YOU ARE AN AFFECTED OWNER, CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE COHEN WEBSITE TO BE NOTIFIED OF UPDATES.
The bottom line on the GM transmission lawsuit
We wrote about this time last year that the saga continues. And now, 12 months later, the sage still continues. It’s understandable GM is holding its ground on this, as what’s being alleged and asked would prove to be incredibly costly. However, the fact this suit has not been dismissed by a judge shows there is some merit to it. Surely, things will play in court in some regard.
Without a last-minute dismissal, I’d expect some kind of settlement as things like this generally don’t go well if they make it to a trial. GM would be wise to get this entire situation dealt with and put to bed once and for all.
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74 comments
Jeffrey Andre
I have now had three GMC Sierra’s: 2017 SLT, 2017 Denali, and 2018 SLT, all three experienced transmission failure at approximately 50,000 miles. The first SLT I was trading for the 2018 SLT, so I didn’t worry about it and put an extended warranty on the 2018 thinking it was a fluke. When the transmission started going they suggested it might be my tires. or alignment, balance, I had all three done. I couldn’t drive the truck without feeling like it was going to shake apart. They replaced the transmission and converter once they realized I had the warranty. I inherited my dad’s 2017 Denali and gave my 2017 SLT to my son. Dad’s 2017 had 45,000, as soon as it went over 50,000 the transmission started shaking violently. It doesn’t have the warranty?? GM/GMC knows they did something wrong and have issues with this transmission. Beautiful truck, we spend too much money on these trucks to be deceived like this.
Ed
My 2015 6 speed does the same thing . 80000.miles Never had transmission issues my whole life. Went thru several gm with 200000 plus. Gm is slacking and should go good. was told don’t tinker with swap it out. Don’t waste your time with try this try that. Doesn’t fix it. Thinking new truck.
Art
The problem didn’t start with 2015’s. I have a 2014 Chevy Silverado that has been slipping and jerking for several years now. it finally went out and I can’t get a rebuilt transmission for under 4500. The truck only has 145K miles so way too soon to have transmission problems. I talked to a repair shop that does transmissions and he said the problem is the cheap torque converter Chevy used which slowly destroys the otherwise good transmissions. Regardless, my truck is a paperweight until I shell out 5K to put in a new transmission.
Emilio Ostigun
my 2018 Silverado its been tranny problems all the way still tranny Jerks hard enough to cause neck injury
Gloria
My 2016 Chevy Silverado has the same transmission problems as everyone else. It’s at the garage to be fixed . It shudders and vibrates. It’s so bad it shifts hard . I’m on a fixed income and I think GM should be fixing this. I’m not buying anymore GM vehicles. This is and expense I can’t really afford.
Thomas Taylor
I have a 2017 Silverado 1500 that has had transmission issues since I bought new.
I have had shifting problems. I have had the transmission flushed, was not contacted by GM they were flushing the transmissions,
found out about this on the internet. Now there is a shutter in my truck and the RPM gauge is going up and down at cruising speed.
It is looking like iI am about to pay for a torque converter replacement.
shaun
i bought a 2018 sierra elevation 1500 with a 6 speed transmission and it has done the same thing since i drove it off the lot. i was told it was a normal thing. now today actually driving home it was jerking and missing quite bad. the worst it has ever been. called the dealership and have an appointment booked for tomorrow im sitting at just over 138,000 kms. curious as to why the 6 speed transmissions are not included in this. i know of others having the same issue.
Kayla
2017 Yukon Denali – transmission started the shuddering at around 80,000 miles – did a transmission flush and got the metal shavings out. Now at just about 100,000 miles transmission has been replaced and still waiting on other parts to come in. It has been sitting at the dealership since November 2022. Not happy at all….
tom
I have a 2018 gmc1500slt with 41k, I bought it at the end of 2018 new . They did the flush on it saying the fluid heated up and created bubbles in the fluid that made the truck shudder so the flush was to fix it .
took it back after a few weeks cuz shift jerking and rough . they gave me a rental and ( hope I’m not being charged for it) cuz its been over 30 days , they don’t know when it will be fixed because the part they need is on back order and it still needs to be made, is what the service department is telling me. I feel like the part (valve-body) won’t fix it and it will be something else. luckily I’m under the motor trend warranty..
Greg Dodd
I have a 2017 Silverado High Country that has the 8 speed transmission. After 4 attempts at patching the issue, finally the warranty company I bought at the initial sale replaced the transmission with a reman. It’s only been a couple of weeks but the initial shift is just like before but the remaining shifting has been good so far. But, reading the above post about the reman, I’m not so positive about it anymore.
Ben
2017 Chevy Colorado z71
50,000 km!
Shudders and shakes, like I’m going over rumble strips. I am going to the dealership tomorrow… it is out of warranty by a couple months.
I have not joined the class action, but would like to.
Micheal Unwin
My 2017 GMC Denali Seirra is have trap problems jerking and shuddering and down shifting slow and hard to stop. How can I get this problem fixed if gm doesn’t have a fix or replacement??
Samuel Berry
I have a Chevrolet 1500 Z71 2016 Silverado and been experiencing jerking for a year or so. Done everything to try and fix it with now finding out it’s my tork converter. A experience problem for everyone that’s have the same issues. Hopefully we can get the help we need to fox this problem for all of us.
Tom Tyson
I also had my 6L80 transmission go bad on my 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 at 889350 miles, It’s been sitting for months because I don’t have the money to fix it. Not happy at all. I have owned GM products all my life this makes me sick. Come on GM take care of the people who have taken care of you.
Matt G
I’m in the same boat with my 2018 Chevy Silverado. Warranty ran out 3 months ago. At 84,000 miles, I’ve had 2 mechanics look at my truck and tell me it needs a new transmission. All the mechanics I have talked to in my area say they replace about 4-5 transmissions a month on 2016-2018 GM trucks. The mechanics say the issue has been addressed within the new replacement transmissions, but I’ll still be out $5K-$6K for the replacement and installation. I haven’t yet made my decision to replace the transmission or get rid of the truck.
steve
2015 silverado and it is in the shop for the 4th trans replacement… This last trans lasted 5k miles.
Janiene
I have a 2015 chev suburban and this just happened to me, the torque converter blew along with the transmission pump and metal broke through the transmission. How do I get on this lawsuit
Alisia Phillips
I have a 2015 Chevy Tahoe. I’ve changed my transmission in 2020. It’s gone out again.
Tim Esterdahl
Once the case gets decided and if the plaintiff wins, there will be notifications going out to all owners as is typically the case with class action lawsuits.
Janiene
I have a 2015 chev suburban and this just happened to me, the torque converter blew along with the transmission pump and metal broke through the transmission. How do I get on this lawsuit
Steve F.
2017 gmc Sierra has transmission shift lurching and hard downshift issues at 39000 miles. Bought new and has the 8 speed transmission. Dealer states fluid change at my 400.00 expense. Super BAD product accountability by GM.
Rubin
I have a 2018 GMC Sierra it was taken to the dealer on 9/13 /2022. I am experiencing delayed acceleration and shuddering problems. The truck only has 38,000 miles. I am waiting on the dealer to call me with the diagnostics.
LaShena G.
My 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe has 120,000 miles. Just found out today my transmission needs replaced. WTH?!!! It had a slight hesitation while I was accelerating. I took it in to the shop thinking I needed new spark plugs or a dirty fuel filter. NOPE. I need a TRANSMISSION. I’m looking at $3-5,000 😫😡