Is your Cadillac Escalade experiencing the dreaded ‘Chevy Shake’?
A class-action lawsuit has included certain 2015-2019 Cadillac vehicles as a part of those GM vehicles experiencing the dreaded ‘Chevy Shake’. The issue stems from the manufacturer’s faulty transmissions—which cause the vehicles to shake or jerk when shifting gears.
It has been noted that the vehicles experiencing these problems were sold with the infamous GM 8L90 and GM 8L45 transmissions. Both types of GM’s automatic 8-speed transmissions are alleged to be faulty and cause the vehicles to shake or vibrate excessively when they reach high speeds. Not only do the vehicles violently shake, but they also suffer from other dangerous symptoms such as sudden acceleration, downshift delays, hesitation on acceleration, and difficulty when stopping the vehicle.
These defects have made the vehicles harsh to drive and have almost caused several accidents when drivers have lost control of their SUVs. Some drivers have even said the shaking was so intense that it felt as if their car had been struck by another vehicle. While General Motors has released dozens of Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) regarding the defective component, they have failed to release even one recall for Cadillac owners. Aside from this, many Cadillac owners have mentioned that when discussing the vehicle issues with dealership technicians, they are often told that the vehicle is operating as designed.
What causes the transmission to jerk or shake?
The jerking and shaking of these vehicles are suspected to be related to a defective aluminum driveshaft, which GM refers to as a “propeller shaft.” This propeller shaft is intended to transfer power from the engine to the wheels to make the tires spin. Some drivers have replaced the aluminum driveshaft with a custom steel drive shaft and have reported a complete fix.
The lawsuit claims that GM has known about the defect with these vehicles for years but has not come up with a fix. Not only has the manufacturer not attempted to offer a solution for consumers, but they have also knowingly concealed this defect from them and have continued to sell these vehicles with a known defective component.
In an effort to shift accountability, General Motors claims that the defect should not fall under their express warranty, as it is a design defect and not an issue related to workmanship and materials. Fortunately for consumers, the Judge conceded that while the defect could have been caused by a design defect there is also reason to consider that the defects may have also been due to poor materials and workmanship. He also agreed that there is a basis for the belief that the manufacturer did know about the defect before any of the plaintiffs had purchased their vehicles.
Which Cadillac vehicles experience the shake?
The following list of vehicles are known to be affected by the Chevy Shake and may be protected under California’s Lemon Laws for their faulty 8-speed automatic transmissions:
- 2015–2020 Cadillac Escalade
- 2015–2019 Cadillac Escalade ESV
- 2016–2019 Cadillac ATS
- 2016–2019 Cadillac ATS-V
- 2016–2019 Cadillac CTS
- 2016–2019 Cadillac CT6
- 2016–2019 Cadillac CTS-V
Many Cadillac owners have also mentioned that aside from the jerking and shaking, their vehicles have experienced the following symptoms as well:
- Shaking and Shuddering
- ‘Shift to Park’ Error
- Sudden Jerking
- Transmission Failure
- Check Engine Light On
- Hard Up and Down Shifting
- Fluid Leaks
- Sudden Deceleration
- Vehicle Stalls While Driving
- Excessive Oil Consumption
What do I do next?
If you have already taken your vehicle into the dealership multiple times for repairs while under warranty, make sure that you save copies of all your repair records. If you are still under warranty and have yet to take your vehicle to an authorized dealership for repair work, make sure to do that now! Even if the manufacturer is unable to repair the vehicle, the fact that you have taken your vehicle into the dealership for a repeated issue and have made them aware of it will work in your favor. It is crucial to ensure that the dealership notes your complaints accurately.
Under the Lemon Law of California, if you have taken your Cadillac to the dealership on two or more occasions for repair work under warranty, you may be eligible to receive a refund as your vehicle could qualify as a lemon.
Why you should opt out of these class-action lawsuits
If you are among many consumers who are currently driving a Cadillac vehicle that is experiencing the “Chevy Shake” and is a part of a class-action lawsuit, we recommend that you opt-out to preserve your California Lemon Law rights. With the help of California’s premier team of Lemon Law Experts, you have the opportunity to be represented individually and maximize your individual recovery rather than settle with the masses via a class-action lawsuit.
If you would like to preserve the right to sue General Motors individually, you will have to opt out of the class action suits. Very often, there are thousands of members in a class-action lawsuit, resulting in meager consumer settlements. When suing individually, you are more likely to receive a greater settlement as you preserved your individual right to pursue the maximum allowable remedies under the lemon laws.
If you’d like more information on how to opt out of a class-action lawsuit, please contact us today at (877) 885-5366. Our premier team of Lemon Law Experts is here to help you explore your options and choose the best course of action that fits your needs.
