8L45 and 8L90 Transmission Defect

1. Vehicle Problem General Motors (GM) vehicles equipped with the 8-speed Hydra-Matic 8L90 and 8L45 automatic transmissions suffer from two distinct design defects Ulrich v. GM, LLC, 2025 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 34620. First, the transmissions utilize a defective Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) that lacks robustness to moisture and fails to maintain a positive friction curve over time, which causes a "shudder" malfunction.  Second, an insufficient valve body architecture causes an inability to purge trapped air, leading to "harsh shifts". While the transmissions were marketed to deliver "lightning fast" and "smooth" shifting with improved fuel efficiency, the defects cause unpredictable driving conditions. These malfunctions can lead to the engine seizing, resulting in a sudden loss of motive power and accident risk. 
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2. Affected Models (2019-2026)   The transmission defect impacts the  following vehicles: Chevrolet Silverado, Chevrolet Colorado, Chevrolet Corvette, Chevrolet Camaro, Cadillac Escalade, Cadillac Escalade ESV, Cadillac ATS, Cadillac ATS-V, Cadillac CTS, Cadillac CT6, Cadillac CTS-V, GMC Sierra, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, GMC Yukon Denali XL, and GMC Canyon Ulrich v. GM, LLC, 2025 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 34620.

3. Nature of Complaints  Consumers report experiencing a shuddering sensation described as feeling like driving over rumble strips or rough pavement Speerly v. GM, LLC, 115 F.4th 680. Other complaints cite hesitation during the initial shift of the day, as well as lurching, lunging, or jerking during coast-down deceleration or garage shift maneuvers   Drivers have additionally characterized the transmission as clunking, sputtering, and vibrating.
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4. Recalls or Service Bulletins Between 2014 and 2019, GM issued more than 60 service bulletins to its dealer service departments acknowledging issues with the 8L45 and 8L90 transmissions, including harsh shifting, jerking, clunking, and delays in acceleration or deceleration. In 2019, GM's quality organization distributed an internal safety warning regarding the shudder defect Speerly v. GM, LLC, 115 F.4th 680. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has gathered consumer complaints regarding this transmission issue.

5. Class Actions or Litigation Multiple class action lawsuits have been initiated concerning the 8L transmissions. In Speerly v. Gen. Motors, LLC, plaintiffs asserted claims for breach of express and implied warranties, fraudulent omissions, and violations of consumer protection laws Speerly v. GM, LLC, 143 F.4th 306. The district court initially certified 26 statewide classes comprising approximately 800,000 owners; however, the Sixth Circuit ruled that the district court abused its discretion, finding that individualized issues—particularly regarding defect manifestation and reliance—would predominate over common questions for the warranty, fraud, and state consumer protection claims Speerly v. GM, LLC, 143 F.4th 306. A petition for rehearing en banc was subsequently granted in the Sixth Circuit Ulrich v. GM, LLC, 2025 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 34620. Additionally, in April 2024, a major class action, Ulrich v. GM, LLC, 2025 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 34620, was filed in the Eastern District of Michigan on behalf of owners across ten states Ulrich v. GM, LLC, 2025 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 34620

6. Warranty and Deceptive Practice Claims

Breach of Express Warranty: GM sold the affected vehicles with an express limited warranty covering repairs to correct any vehicle defect occurring during the warranty period, with remedies limited to repairing or replacing defective parts [Francis v. GM, LLC, 504 F. Supp. 3d 659A777. Ulrich v. General Motors, L.L.C.]. Plaintiffs allege a breach by demonstrating that the transmissions caused slipping, bucking, kicking, and harsh engagement, and that GM refused to perform the necessary repairs or remedies at no cost to buyers
Breach of Implied Warranty: The standard for vehicle merchantability requires that vehicles provide safe and reliable transportation A777. Plaintiffs contend this warranty is breached because common proof could establish that the transmission defects caused unpredictable and unsafe driving conditions, rendering the vehicles unmerchantable 

Deceptive Practice and Fraudulent Omission: Plaintiffs allege that GM fraudulently induced purchases by marketing the transmissions as delivering "world-class performance" and "smoothness," despite internal communications referring to the transmission as a "neck snapper"  To prove these claims, plaintiffs rely on internal testing reports, early driver complaints, and records indicating that GM executives acknowledged the defect but declined to implement retrofit options or a service solution due to cost [Francis v. GM, LLC, 504 F. Supp. 3d 659ct.

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