A new class action lawsuit accuses General Motors of knowingly selling Chevrolet and GMC vehicles with a defective continuously variable transmission that can cause the vehicles to lose power while driving. Owners of affected Chevy Malibu, GMC and other GM models with this transmission are the ones being targeted by the alleged defect, according to the complaint. As always, this site's consumer reporter urges drivers to learn the warning signs before a mechanical problem turns into a safety risk on the road.
Plaintiff John Williams filed the lawsuit on Sept. 15 in Delaware federal court, alleging GM violated state and federal consumer protection laws by selling vehicles with a transmission problem it knew about but did not disclose.
How to spot it
- Sudden slipping of the transmission while driving
- Shuddering or shaking during normal operation
- Hesitation or delayed acceleration when pressing the gas
- Loss of forward gear
- Partial or complete loss of motive power, meaning the vehicle can lose the ability to move
According to the lawsuit, these problems stem from improperly designed or manufactured internal transmission components, including the clutch regulator valve, valve body, drive chain, pulleys and bearings. Williams alleges GM knew about the defect as early as 2021 but failed to tell consumers before or after they purchased their vehicles.
What to do if it happened to you
The class action complaint does not lay out specific consumer steps beyond the legal claims it raises against GM for alleged violations of state and federal consumer laws. Drivers who believe their Chevrolet or GMC vehicle has experienced these transmission symptoms may want to keep records of any slipping, shuddering, hesitation or power loss they notice, since these are the exact issues described in the lawsuit. Anyone concerned about a possible defect in their GM vehicle should also watch for updates on this litigation, as class action cases can affect how affected owners may eventually seek relief.
This site's consumer reporter continues to track lawsuits and recalls like this one, aiming to flag emerging vehicle defects before drivers are caught off guard by a breakdown or safety issue behind the wheel. As this case moves through Delaware federal court, more details may emerge about which specific model years and vehicles are included in the claims against General Motors.
Source: Top Class Actions
