Canadian Class Action Lawsuit Filed Over GM’s 8-Speed Transmission

Published on May 24, 2023 in News by The Car Guide

A class action lawsuit against General Motors of Canada has been filed in the Court of King's Bench for Saskatchewan on behalf of anyone who purchased or leased a new or used GM vehicle equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Similar class actions exist in the U.S., some dating back to spring 2019, but it’s the first one specifically targeting GM Canada.

The lawsuit alleges the Hydra-Matic 8L90 or Hydra-Matic 8L45 transmission may produce “a terrifying jolt or shake while driving,” which can cause “delays in acceleration and stopping, as well as other dangerous driving conditions.”

Possible causes include a defective torque converter, excess friction between transmission components and bad transmission fluid. 

The eight-speed autobox can be found in numerous vehicles built on a rear-wheel-drive platform, mostly sports cars, luxury sedans, trucks and SUVs. Below is the full list of models identified in the class action lawsuit:

According to the lawsuit, General Motors has known about the problem for years but has failed to adequately address it.

“Instead, GM has tried to convince customers that the problem is normal, including the dramatic 'surging' or 'unexpected acceleration' that are characteristic of the defect. This has led many customers to believe that the issue is not serious or that they are simply experiencing a normal driving condition. However, the reality is that these transmissions pose a serious safety risk to drivers and passengers alike.”

A judge in Saskatchewan will decide whether to certify the class action or not later this year. For more information, click here.

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