If you drive a General Motors vehicle with a shaky, sluggish, or lurching transmission, you’re not alone. A recent ruling from the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has put General Motors on the defensive, requiring them to face a class action lawsuit. This legal battle addresses allegations that GM knowingly sold nearly 800,000 vehicles across 26 states with defective transmissions, spanning various Chevrolet, GMC, and Cadillac models.
We’ll explain everything you need to know about what steps you should take if you find yourself in this situation.
What’s the Issue?
Popular General Motors vehicles – listed below – equipped with 8L45 or 8L90 eight-speed automatic transmissions have been reported to have a range of troubling issues, such as their vehicles shuddering, shaking, hesitating, and lurching during gear shifts. Even more concerning, these problems often persist despite certified repairs being completed by General Motors dealerships, even in cases where the transmission was replaced.
To make matters worse, drivers claim that General Motors instructed dealers and service technicians to assure consumers that the harsh shifts they experienced were “normal,” often refusing to verify their concerns or repair affected vehicles.
The class action involves roughly 800,000 vehicles, with 514,000 included in the certified classes.
Vehicle’s In Question:
- 2015-2019 Chevrolet Silverado
- 2017-2019 Chevrolet Colorado
- 2015-2019 Chevrolet Corvette
- 2016-2019 Chevrolet Camaro
- 2015-2019 Cadillac Escalade, Cadillac Escalade ESV
- 2016-2019 Cadillac ATS, Cadillac ATS-V, Cadillac CTS, Cadillac CT6, Cadillac CTS-V
- 2015-2019 GMC Sierra, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, and GMC Yukon Denali XL
- 2017-2019 GMC Canyon
Why This Case Matters
The court’s decision to allow drivers to sue as a group is significant because the decision underscores the severity of General Motor’s deception – it’s a matter of transparency and accountability – with allegations that they were aware of these issues yet proceeded to market these vehicles and misinform consumers.
GM argued that most class members never experienced any problems, but the court ruled that overpaying for vehicles with alleged defects is enough to establish standing, with U.S. Circuit Judge Karen Nelson Moore stating “Exactly how, and to what extent, each of the individual plaintiffs experienced a shudder or shift quality is irrelevant” to the issue of GM concealing known defects and misleading consumers.
Additionally, GM’s attempt to push many claims into arbitration was rejected, as the court determined that GM had waived its right to compel arbitration, thus clearing the way for the class action to proceed.
What’s Next?
Litigation is ongoing – the case has been sent back to U.S. District Judge David Lawson in Detroit, who previously certified the classes in March 2023. This case goes beyond legal boundaries to reflect on vital topics like corporate responsibility and consumer protection.
The case is Speerly et al v. General Motors LLC, 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, No. 23-1940.
What to Do as a Owner?
If you own a General Motors vehicle with transmission issues, this case directly impacts your rights as a consumer.
Contact Lemon Laws by Prestige Legal Solutions, P.C. today by phone at (310) 266-6335, or by completing the form below to see if you qualify for a claim, and to learn more about how we can assist you.
Understanding your consumer rights under California’s Lemon Law can help you take the necessary steps to address the problem and seek a fair resolution. By retaining all repair documents, maintaining your vehicle under warranty, and taking the proper steps, we can assist you in ensuring you reach the best possible outcome to resolve your vehicle’s issues.
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