Chevrolet dealership, trucks that may have transmission issues.

Transmission Defects in GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado

By: Karina Dutra

Buying a new car is a big decision. You’ve finally found the vehicle that checks all the boxes and you’re ready to upgrade to a new ride. No one buys a new car expecting to deal with transmission defects only months after driving it off the lot, but owners of 2015-2017 GMC Canyon or Chevrolet Colorado have found this to be exactly the case. If you are experiencing manufacturer defects on your GM vehicle, we encourage you to contact the lemon law experts at CCA today for a free consultation: (833) LEMON-LAW.

GM’s Severe Transmission Defects

Owners of 2015-2017 GMC Canyons and Chevrolet Colorados have complained that they have experienced transmission issues when downshifting or accelerating. The most commonly reported issue is “shuddering” when the truck accelerates and sudden “jerking” when downshifting gears when driving up an incline. Despite many complaints about these serious issues, there are currently no ongoing investigations regarding transmission defects for these vehicles within GM.

Recent Class Action Suit

In a 2019 class action lawsuit, McKee v. General Motors, LLC, James McKee filed a complaint that GM “designed, manufactured, marketed, distributed, sold and warranted” models of 2015-2017 GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado that were “equipped with defective 6L50 transmissions.” The defective transmissions allegedly caused the vehicles to “slip, buck, kick, jerk, and harshly engage” causing “premature internal wear… and eventually suffer a catastrophic failure.” 

Consumer complaints regarding the GL50 transmission are serious and widespread.  For example, one 2015 GMC Canyon owner complained, “Transmission and engine are not synchronized through shifting and acceleration. Engine is overloaded and shudders at low speeds when transmission does not downshift. Acceleration is very poor unless aggressive accelerator is used. Often, engine revs to 4500 to 5000 RPM but there is no acceleration until transmission catches up – dangerous situations occur.” Similarly, a 2015 Chevy Colorado owner complained, “I spent a ton of money for this truck. Seems as it does not know what gear to be in… It is by far the worst driving car / truck I have even owned.”  

If you have purchased or leased a new or used automobile that has manufacturer defects, California lemon law allows you to pursue a claim for a replacement vehicle or full refund. The attorneys at CCA are highly skilled and experienced at fighting manufacturers to ensure that your rights are being protected. If you are the owner of a vehicle and you are experiencing transmission issues that are putting your safety at risk, we invite you to contact us for a free consultation with an expert lemon law attorney at: (833) LEMON-LAW.

About the Author
Sepehr Daghighian is a partner with CCA that is well-versed in all aspects of lemon-law litigation. A 2005 graduate of Loyola Law School, Mr. Daghighian has been practicing litigation throughout the state of California for over 13-years. In this time, Mr. Daghighian has advocated on behalf of California consumers in hundreds of lemon law cases throughout our great state. Mr. Daghighian has also successfully tried numerous such cases to verdict in both Federal and State Court.