Lawsuit Over General Motors’ 8L90 and 8L45 Transmissions Will Continue

General Motors has failed to have a class action lawsuit surrounding its 8L90 and 8L45 transmissions dismissed, according to Car Complaints.

Filed as a companion lawsuit to Speerly v. General Motors, the class action alleges that vehicles equipped with GM’s Hydra-Matic 8L90 and 8L45 transmissions are prone to slipping, bucking, kicking, jerking, and harshly engaging.

According to the lawsuit, the transmissions contain an automatic transmission fluid that lacks moisture tolerance and that fails to hold a positive friction curve over time, leading to shuddering issues. In addition, the plaintiffs have claimed that the transmissions are unable to expel trapped air because of inadequate valve body architecture, causing harsh shifts.

Though Judge David M. Lawson believed parts of the lawsuit lacked viable claims, he said there are enough counts that have cause for concern. Lawson added that many of the plaintiffs claims have not opposed GM’s arguments for dismissal, such as claims of common law unjust enrichment and fraudulent omission.