August 30, 2024 — In a significant development for General Motors (GM) vehicle owners, a federal appeals court has ordered GM to face a massive class action lawsuit. The lawsuit alleges that GM knowingly sold several hundred thousand cars, trucks, and SUVs with defective transmissions, violating the laws of 26 U.S. states.
The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, in a decision issued on August 29, 2024, affirmed that drivers can sue GM in groups over Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC vehicles equipped with 8L45 or 8L90 eight-speed automatic transmissions sold between the 2015 and 2019 model years. The vehicles are alleged to suffer from two main defects:
1. Shudder Defect
This defect results from a poorly chosen and insufficiently validated automatic transmission fluid, causing vehicles to shudder at higher gears.
2. Shift Defect
A defectively designed transmission that fails to purge air from valve bodies adequately, resulting in delayed shifting, jerking, lurching, and overall poor shift quality.
Affected Vehicles
These defects have reportedly caused the affected vehicles to shudder and shake in higher gears and hesitate and lurch in lower gears, even after repair attempts. According to the lawsuit, GM allegedly instructed dealers to assure customers that these harsh shifts were “normal,” despite knowing about the defects.
The class action covers about 800,000 vehicles, including popular models such as:
Chevrolet Vehicles
| Year | Model |
| 2015-2019 | Chevrolet Silverado |
| 2017-2019 | Chevrolet Colorado |
| 2015-2019 | Chevrolet Corvette |
| 2016-2019 | Chevrolet Camaro |
Cadillac Vehicles
| Year | Model |
| 2015-2019 | Cadillac Escalade |
| 2015-2019 | Cadillac Escalade ESV |
| 2016-2019 | Cadillac ATS |
| 2016-2019 | Cadillac ATS-V |
| 2016-2019 | Cadillac CTS |
| 2016-2019 | Cadillac CTS-V |
| 2016-2019 | Cadillac CT6 |
GMC Vehicles
| Year | Model |
| 2015-2019 | GMC Sierra |
| 2015-2019 | GMC Yukon |
| 2015-2019 | GMC Yukon XL |
| 2015-2019 | GMC Yukon Denali XL |
| 2017-2019 | GMC Canyon |
Circuit Judge Karen Nelson Moore emphasized that overpaying for allegedly defective vehicles was sufficient to establish standing in the case. She also noted that the specifics of how each plaintiff experienced the shudder or shift quality issue were irrelevant to whether GM concealed known defects.
Legal Help for Affected GM Owners
If you own a Cadillac, Chevrolet, or GMC vehicle from the 2015-2019 model years and have experienced issues related to these transmission defects, you may be eligible for compensation.
Kevin Duck, known as the Auto Lemon Lawyer, is offering free consultations to GM owners affected by these transmission problems. With extensive experience in automotive defect litigation, Kevin Duck and his team are ready to help you pursue justice and recover damages for your economic losses and vehicle safety concerns.
Contact Auto Lemon Lawyer Today
Don’t miss your opportunity to join the class action lawsuit or explore your legal options. Contact Kevin Duck, the Auto Lemon Lawyer, today for a free consultation.
Over the past 30 years, I have been devoted to standing up for consumers, tackling intricate class action consumer litigations, handling complex multi-district cases, and recovering millions of dollars for my Lemon Law clients. Being admitted in District Courts in Louisiana, Texas, California, Michigan, Florida, and Indiana, my practice has led me to represent clients all over the United States in my Lemon Law cases. Regardless of your location, my firm is committed to offering the highest level of professional support, especially in Lemon Law.