A new lawsuit targets the 10-speed in several popular GM models today. Owners say the gearbox can suddenly cut power without warning at speed. The class action lands while GM is still cleaning up its V8 settlement bills. General Motors is staring down another class-action headache, this one targeting the 10-speed automatic transmission used across a swath of its high-volume trucks, SUVs, and Cadillac sedans. It’s alleged these transmissions may experience erratic shifting, or worse, and that the company has long known about the issues but has hidden them from buyers. Three plaintiffs filed the suit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. They argue the symptoms aren’t isolated complaints but a pattern serious enough to constitute a safety issue, particularly the sudden power loss, which can leave drivers stranded in traffic with no opportunity to react. Read: Lawyers Walk Away With $57M While GM Owners Get Peanuts In V8 Lawsuit The 10-speed in question is everywhere in GM’s portfolio. It’s bolted into the Chevrolet Suburban, GMC Sierra, and a long list of Cadillac sedans and SUVs, among other models. The lawsuit points out that GM has issued multiple technical service bulletins and recalls tied to the transmission over the years but has never addressed the root cause. One of those earlier actions involved a recall covering the Cadillac CT4, CT5, and CT6 along with the Chevrolet Camaro over a wheel lockup risk traced back to the same gearbox. Plaintiffs Want GM To Pay The class action doesn’t pinpoint exactly what’s apparently wrong with the gearbox, but suggests it could be related to valve body wear, internal contamination, and inconsistent hydraulic pressure. These aren’t problems that can be fixed with a software update, and yet, GM has remained hush-hush about any potential widespread issues. Plaintiffs want to represent all California residents who purchased or leased one of the affected GM models. They are seeking damages, including repair costs, as well as injunctive relief that would prevent GM from continuing to sell vehicles equipped with the 10-speed automatic transmission. This recall is just one of many that GM is dealing with in the United States. Over the past year, the automaker has been hit with several lawsuits related to allegedly defective L87 V8 engines. Last year, it separately agreed to pay $150 million to settle a lawsuit related to its 5.3-liter LC9 V8 engine.
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