The GM 8-speed transmission saga took another turn with a judge granting class-action status for lawsuits affecting 800,000 Chevy, GMC trucks and SUVs.
This news, as first reported by the Detroit Free Press, is another step in the legal process on this ongoing issue.
GM 8-Speed Transmission shudder, jerking sensation
We have covered the myriad of issues with the GM 8-Speed transmission for many years now and while there have been some bright spots, like GM replacing select transmissions, many owners simply have dealt with trucks they describe as “unsafe to drive.”
A total of 39 plaintiffs across 26 states have filed lawsuits on the 8L90 or 8L45, the latter being a lighter version and not as heavy or robust as the 90 version. The judge combined all of these lawsuits into one class-action lawsuit making it easier for the legal system to accommodate.
The lawyer leading the plaintiffs is Ted Leopold, partner at Cohen Milstein, didn’t mince words when talking about GM’s role in the 8-speed transmission.
“General Motors knowingly sold over 800,000 eight-speed transmission vehicles, which they knew to be defective for years, and yet made the business decision not to tell its customers before purchase,” Leopold said in a statement. “Dealers were directed to tell the customers that harsh shifts were ‘normal’ or ‘characteristic.’ Such decision making is both highly irresponsible and emblematic of what GM believes it can get away with.”
What GM vehicles are affected?
The 8-speed transmission was used in a variety of vehicles from 2015 to March 1, 2019:
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, CTS, CT6, and CTS-V
2015-2019 GMC Sierra, Yukon, Yukon XL, and Yukon Denali XL
2017-2019 GMC Canyon
The lawsuit claims there have been 13 technical service bulletins, TSBs, to fix this issue with no resolution.
Also, there is another lawsuit underway in Battle v. General Motors, LLC, 2:22-cv-108783 according to Cohen Milstein That case features 8L vehicles with harsh shifts made after March 1, 2019 (MY19 to MY22), when GM replaced the automatic transmission fluid that caused the shudder problem.
What about new 2023 GM vehicles?
With these many issues and a pending class-action lawsuit, people might assume GM is no longer building vehicles with the troubled 8-speed transmission. That’s just not the case.
For example, the new 2023 Chevy Colorado and 2023 GMC Canyon come with a “second-generation” 8-speed transmission with “refinements designed to offer smoother shifting and quicker downshifts,” according to GM.
The 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 and 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 come with the 8-speed when paired to the 2.7-liter turbocharged engine with the same change to improve shifting.
Other new 2022 and 2023 GM vehicles are coming with a 10-speed automatic transmission.
Here is how you can join the lawsuit:
If you believe you have a GM transmission-related claim, please contact: 1.561.515.1400 or fill out our contact form: https://www.cohenmilstein.com/contact
The bottom line
This shudder and jerking concern is perplexing problem for many owners and GM who hasn’t seemed to find a permanent fix. Imagine buying a new truck and not feeling safe to drive it? Yeah, that’s not going to work. Our advice is to make sure you take any GM vehicles with an 8-speed transmission for an extended test drive before taking it home and to keep an eye out for car recalls pertaining to this issue
22 comments
Jerry Samulcel
My 2021 Colorado ZR2 has the eight speed automatic transmission that roughly shifts between First and Second Gear. The Dealer (Autonation Chevrolet Superstition Springs Mesa Arizona) tells me that Chevrolet has issued a Bulletin telling their Dealers not to fix it but to tell the owner that this is an acceptable issue that the owner should expect, even if they have paid over forty thousand dollars for a Chevrolet T vehicles.
Yourmom
Over 40 grand for a tiny 20 thousand dollar truck there’s your red flag right there they had mine at low 30s but because I just bought a new Corvette Chevy told the dealership to take 12,500 off the Colorado then my trade and I was out the door for 5 grand even so don’t jump at the first ridiculous price they give you and if you don’t have the cash don’t buy it. You can’t afford it
John
Same the thing here, it’s been at the dealer multiple times this last year and the answer is it’s normal for the 8 speed to do that. Nothing is wrong. How do I join in the law suit.
Tim Esterdahl
From the law firm: If you believe you have a GM transmission-related claim, please contact: 1.561.515.1400 or fill out our contact form: https://www.cohenmilstein.com/contact
Kenneth
Took my 2019 Silverado to the local dealership with hard shift out of first gear and they reset the computer and told me that the transmission is self learning and I have to drive it for 4 weeks for it to relearn how I drive. Still hard shifting out of first gear.
Bob
I just had my 2016 Silverado transmission fixed but still shudders .Time to look for options.
Dennis
How do I apply for the class action law suit.?
Tim Esterdahl
From the law firm: If you believe you have a GM transmission-related claim, please contact: 1.561.515.1400 or fill out our contact form: https://www.cohenmilstein.com/contact
Don
I have a 2015 Silverado and it jerks, slams and bangs at times along with hard shifting into second gear. How do I get involved?
Tim Esterdahl
From the law firm: If you believe you have a GM transmission-related claim, please contact: 1.561.515.1400 or fill out our contact form: https://www.cohenmilstein.com/contact
Thomas Scrase
My 2018 Chevy Silverado 1500 is in the shop
Right now for a new transmission.
And I loved the truck. But G.M. Should be
Embarrassed of trying to dodge( Dodge, mmm)
such a serious problem.
Been a Chevy guy my whole life, instant game
changer! Give me some direction to join the class
action law suit, please!
Tim Esterdahl
From the law firm: If you believe you have a GM transmission-related claim, please contact: 1.561.515.1400 or fill out our contact form: https://www.cohenmilstein.com/contact
Bob Wieber
How do I go about getting my 2016 Silverrdo fixed for I called my local dealership and they said they don’t know any thing about this problem and won’t fix it under warranty . Bob Wieber. 320 248 2947
Tim Esterdahl
Not sure. You can join the lawsuit though. From the law firm: If you believe you have a GM transmission-related claim, please contact: 1.561.515.1400 or fill out our contact form: https://www.cohenmilstein.com/contact
Tim Esterdahl
Try a different dealer.
Eddie Murray
So what about the 2015-2019 Chevrolet Suburban? It’s the same as the Escalaed amd the Yukon XL
Tim Esterdahl
Good question. Not sure why it isn’t listed.
CHRIS SHANABARGER
I WAS JUST ABOUT TO BY A 2019 COLORADO. WILL DOUBLE CHECK FOR NOW OWN. I OWN A 2003 CHEVY 2500 HD. ONLY HAVE 140,000 MILES. HAVE HAD SEVERAL ENGINE PROBLEMS .
Michael Ball
I have a 2019 Colorado with only 30,000 miles and already has transmission issues.
Joe stockert
How do we get involved in this my GM? I just paid for a brand new transmission I own a 2016 GMC Sierra SLE My truck broke down in Arizona and I live in Georgia so it is still there getting fixed
Shawn R
I have a 2015 and 120,000 miles transmission is slipping in 2nd and 3rd gear, it always has, thought it was normal
Douglas Parton
Same here, on a 2017 GMC Sierra. Cost me 7k