GM 8-speed gearbox targeted for class action in Canada

A class action petition against General Motors of Canada has just been filed in Saskatchewan on behalf of all Canadian owners of GM vehicles equipped with eight-speed automatic transmissions.

Of similar remedies have been made in the United States in recent years, as we told you in April 2019, but this is the first on this side of the border. UPDATE – 07/12/2023: a class action petition has also been filed in Quebec for the same problem.

More specifically, the Hydra-Matic 8L90 and Hydra-Matic 8L45 transmissions are the basis of the petition, which claims hesitation, shuddering and vibrations when the transmission changes gears during acceleration or deceleration. Low speed problems are also mentioned. Possible causes that have been raised are a faulty torque converter, excess friction between components and bad transmission fluid.

These gearboxes are found in most vehicles built on the rear-wheel drive platform, especially sports cars, luxury sedans, trucks and SUVs. Target examples are as follows:

The class action alleges that GM has known about the problem for years but has failed to come up with an effective and permanent solution. Worse, dealers have been accused of trying to make customers believe that there is nothing unusual in the operation and that the transmission is safe for drivers and other road users. A judge from the Saskatchewan Court will decide whether or not to approve it in the coming months. For more details, Click here.