A significant GM transmission recall has been issued by General Motors, impacting hundreds of thousands of vehicles across the nation, including right here in New York and New Jersey.

If you own a GM truck, SUV, or select Cadillac or Chevrolet car and have been experiencing harsh shifting or, more alarmingly, the potential for your wheels to lock up, you are not alone. Understanding the details of this recall and your rights as a consumer in NY and NJ is crucial.

Delving Deeper into the GM Transmission Problems

The GM transmission recall encompasses two main issues affecting a vast number of GM vehicles. Let's explore these problems in more detail, drawing from reports and owner experiences.

The Diesel Truck and SUV Transmission Issue: A Closer Look

This GMC transmission recall affects over 460,000 diesel-powered trucks and SUVs from model years 2020 to 2022, along with some 2021 Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC SUV models. The core problem lies within the transmission control valve, which can suffer from excessive wear. This wear leads to a drop in fluid pressure, initially manifesting as harsh or erratic shifting.

However, the more alarming consequence is the potential for a momentary lock-up of the rear wheels, particularly when the transmission downshifts from eighth gear. GM acknowledges at least 1,888 field reports related to this issue, including incidents involving property damage and three minor injuries that may be connected to the transmission problem.

One GMC owner reported experiencing a wheel lock-up while pulling a trailer, followed by significant transmission issues requiring a costly replacement that was not initially covered by GM. This raises concerns about whether the software update truly addresses the underlying mechanical wear.

GM's proposed remedy is a software update for the transmission control module. This update is designed to monitor the valve's performance and detect excessive wear approximately 10,000 miles before a potential wheel lock-up. Once detected, the software will limit the transmission to fifth gear and trigger warning lights. While this aims to prevent the dangerous wheel lock-up, some owners who have received the update have reported a significant drop in fuel mileage, as much as 10-15 miles per gallon, possibly because the transmission is not shifting above fifth gear. This indicates that the software fix might come with its own set of inconveniences for owners.

The 10-Speed Transmission Issue in Cadillac and Chevrolet Cars

A separate GM recall transmission affects approximately 90,000 (and potentially over 500,000) Cadillac CT4, CT5, CT6, and Chevrolet Camaro models from the 2019 to 2022 model years equipped with 10-speed automatic transmissions. This recall also points to excessive wear within the transmission control valve, leading to similar symptoms of harsh shifting. The risk here is a potential momentary lock-up of the front wheels, although rear wheel lock-up has also been reported as a possibility.

GM was alerted to this issue after receiving a customer complaint about both front wheels locking up while driving a 2021 Cadillac CT5, causing vehicle damage. An internal analysis identified 115 field reports between February 2022 and November 2024 alleging wheel lockup potentially related to this condition, including one report of an accident.

Similar to the truck and SUV recall, the intended remedy is a software update for the transmission control module. This software will also monitor the transmission control valve for excessive wear and, if detected, limit the transmission to fifth gear (limp mode) and display a "reduced propulsion" message. This measure is designed to prevent wheel lock-ups, which often occur during downshifts from eighth gear in these models as well.

It's interesting to note that these 10-speed transmissions were co-developed with Ford. However, Ford has stated that their vehicles do not experience the same problem due to differences in software and hydraulic controls. This highlights that even with shared components, the specific implementation can significantly impact reliability.

The sheer number of affected vehicles and the potential safety risks associated with these GM 10-speed transmission recall issues are significant concerns for owners in New York and New Jersey. The reports of wheel lock-ups and the potential for reduced vehicle performance after the software update underscore the importance of understanding your rights as a consumer.

How We Can Help

Don't let the complexities of these recalls overwhelm you. Our law office has extensive experience assisting clients in New York and New Jersey who are facing issues with defective vehicles, including those affected by the GM transmission recall. We understand the intricacies of both state lemon laws and the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act and are committed to advocating for your rights. Owners with substantial and recurring problems may be entitled to a refund or replacement under lemon law. Other owners may have claims for breach of warranty under the Magnuson-Moss Act.

If you are a GM vehicle owner in New York or New Jersey experiencing transmission problems that you believe are related to the recent GM transmission recall, contact our office today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Our experienced attorneys can evaluate your situation and explain your legal options.

We also work on a contingency basis. You don't pay any attorney fees unless we successfully recover compensation for you.

Sources:

• NHTSA Recall Page – 2021 GMC Yukon 4WD
• NHTSA Recall Report – RCLRPT-24V797-7588 (PDF)
• NHTSA Recall Report – RCLRPT-22V036-3047 (PDF)
• NBC News – GM Recalls Vehicles Over Transmission Problem
• Kelley Blue Book – GM Recalls 460,000 Trucks and SUVs
• Automotive Dive – GM Recalls Vehicles for Front Wheel Lockup
• GM Inside News – GM Recalls 461,839 Vehicles
• Fox Business – GM Recalls Over 90,000 Vehicles
• Reddit – GM Issues Stop-Sale and Recall
• AutoGuide – GM Expands Transmission Recall
• Car and Driver – Transmission Recall for Camaro and Cadillac Models
• The Autopian – GM Recalls 90,000 Vehicles with Ford-Designed Transmissions
• Automotive Dive – 462K Trucks and SUVs Recalled
• TFLTruck – GM Recall on Full-Size Trucks and SUVs
• Lemon Law Help – GM 10-Speed Transmission Problems

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