A Closer Look at the 2015-2019 Chevy Silverado Transmission Lawsuit
Welcome back to Moms Justice, where we advocate for consumers and help them navigate the world of product and service-related legal issues. Today, we're discussing a lawsuit involving 2015-2019 Chevy Silverado transmission problems. For those who drive or are considering purchasing a Chevrolet Silverado from these years, it's crucial to be aware of these issues and understand the potential legal implications.
The Issue: Chevy Silverado Transmission Problems
Over the past few years, Chevrolet Silverado owners have reported problems with their transmissions, specifically in the 2015-2019 models. The problems typically involve shuddering, hesitation, and other shifting issues. Many consumers have reported experiencing these issues while driving at low speeds, which has led to concerns about the safety and reliability of these vehicles.
In response to the widespread transmission problems, a class-action lawsuit was filed against General Motors, the parent company of Chevrolet. The lawsuit alleges that GM knowingly sold Silverado trucks with defective transmissions, failing to disclose the issues or provide an adequate solution to consumers. The plaintiffs argue that the defects present in these vehicles significantly diminish their value and pose potential safety risks to drivers and passengers.
If you own a 2015-2019 Chevrolet Silverado and have experienced transmission problems, you may be eligible for compensation under the proposed settlement. Keep an eye out for any updates on the settlement, and be prepared to submit a claim if you qualify. Additionally, if you have not experienced any transmission issues but own a Silverado from the affected years, stay vigilant and closely monitor your vehicle's performance.
Ted Leopold, partner at Cohen Milstein and the court-appointed lead counsel for the case, said in a statement, "General Motors knowingly sold over 800,000 eight-speed transmission vehicles, which they knew to be defective for years, and yet made the business decision not to tell its customers before purchase." He added, "Dealers were directed to tell the customers that harsh shifts were ‘normal' or ‘characteristic.’ Such decision making is both highly irresponsible and emblematic of what GM believes it can get away with."
Vehicle models in the lawsuit include:
- 2015 – 2019 Chevy Silverado 1500
- 2017 – 2019 Chevy Colorado
- 2015 – 2019 Chevy Corvette
- 2016 – 2019 Chevy Camaro
- 2015 – 2019 Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac ESV
- 2016 – 2019 Cadillac ATS, ATS-V, CTS, CT6, and CTS-V
- 2015 – 2019 GMC Sierra, Yukon, Yukon XL, and Yukon Denali XL
- 2017 – 2019 GMC Canyon
Some additional details of the lawsuit can be found at the Cohen Milstein site, including claims that "since 2015, GM has issued thirteen versions of a “technical service bulletin,” or “TSB,” related to this shifting issue alone."
The statement from Cohen Milstein says that a "second action regarding GM vehicles with 8L transmissions is also underway in Battle v. General Motors, LLC, 2:22-cv-108783. That case features 8L vehicles with harsh shifts made after March 1, 2019 (MY19 to MY22), when GM replaced the automatic transmission fluid that caused the shudder problem."