Which GM Vehicles Have 8-Speed and 10-Speed Transmission Issues?

General Motors’ troubled transmission story extends far beyond trucks. From sporty Camaros to full-size SUVs, many GM models with 8- or 10-speed automatics have sparked complaints, recalls, and frustration from owners. 

Check below to see if your vehicle is affected, learn how to stay safe, and know when to take legal action. 

Camaro’s Issues: Shudder, Vibrations & Control Valve Wear

The Chevrolet Camaro finds itself right in the crosshairs of GM’s 10-speed transmission recall. For model years 2020–2022, GM issued a recall covering Camaros with the 10-speed automatic, citing a defective transmission control valve that can wear prematurely, causing pressure loss, harsh shifts, and, in rare cases, momentary wheel lock-ups.

What does this look like in practice? Owners report sensations such as:

• Vibrations or shuddering under cruise
• Harsh or jerky gear transitions
• Confused shifting (the car “not sure” which gear it wants)
• Paddle shifter unresponsiveness or failures switching into manual mode in certain Camaros
  
   

Chevy Tahoe & Suburban: Jerking, Rough Shifts & Recall Inclusion

The Tahoe and Suburban, long favored for towing and family hauling, haven’t escaped transmission trouble. Many owners have submitted complaints to NHTSA about jerking, hesitation, slipping, and harsh shift transitions under load or acceleration.

Notably, the 2020–2022 model years of the Tahoe and Suburban are included in GM’s large recall of over 460,000 pickups and SUVs due to a transmission control valve defect. That same recall also covers Silverado, Sierra, Yukon, and Escalade in overlapping model years.

In the recall documents, GM explains that the control valve may wear, drop hydraulic pressure, and cause harsh shifting or rear wheel lockup, particularly when downshifting from 8th gear. As part of the fix, dealers will install software that monitors control valve wear and, if necessary, limit the transmission to 5th gear to prevent lockup.

Cadillac’s Transmission Woes: Escalade & CT4/CT5

Escalade (2020–2022 Diesel / Larger SUVs)

The Cadillac Escalade is part of the same diesel pickup / SUV recall group as the Silverado and GMC models. The recall covers 2021 Escalade models among the large body SUVs because of the shared transmission control valve defect that could lead to rear wheel lockup.

Owners of Escalades also report issues consistent with 8-speed problems: rough shifting, lurching, and inconsistent engagement, particularly under load or cold conditions.

CT4 / CT5 (2020–2021)

Cadillac’s smaller sedans, CT4 and CT5 (as well as the CT6), are included in GM’s recall tied to the 10-speed transmission defect. The recall cites the same aging control valve issue that may lead to harsh gear shifts and momentary wheel lockup.

Drivers report shifting problems such as hesitation, jerky gear changes, and a loss of smoothness when the transmission is pushed. Some of these problems emerge under moderate throttle or in city speeds, where frequent shifting occurs.

GMC Yukon & 8L90: Known Transmission Problems

The GMC Yukon has its share of transmission complaints, especially in models using the Hydra-Matic 8L90 (8-speed) system. Owners describe symptoms including lurching, jerking, vibration, and slipping, even when the vehicle is lightly loaded.

The Yukon is one of several models targeted in class action litigation (Shelton v. GM). Other models included in the class action litigation include the Sierra, Escalade, and other GM vehicles equipped with 8L45/8L90 transmissions from model years 2015–2019. 

Connecting the Dots: Why So Many Models?

The overlap in transmission systems across GM’s product lines, from sports cars to SUVs to trucks, means a fundamental defect can show up in many models. The two transmission platforms most often implicated are:

• Hydra-Matic 8L45 / 8L90 (8-speed) — central to the class action allegations of defects causing shudder, jerking, hesitation, and internal wear.
• 10-speed automatic (in Camaro, CT4, CT5, full-size SUVs/trucks) — subject to the recent recall tied to a transmission control valve wearing out, leading to pressure loss, harsh shifts, and possible wheel lockup.

Because GM used these transmissions broadly across brands and vehicle classes, issues in design, manufacturing, or quality control ripple out.

What Drivers Should Do Next

If you own a GM vehicle in one of these model ranges (Camaro, Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon, Escalade, CT4, CT5), here’s how to protect yourself:

• Check recalls and warranty extensions — especially for the 10-speed Camaro / Cadillac recall or transmission control valve warranty extension. 
• Monitor for symptoms — shuddering, jerky shifts, slip, or wheel lockup risk
• Keep service records — fluid changes, module updates, torque converter replacements
• Contact Morgan & Morgan — if repeated repairs fail or the defect endangers safety

How Morgan & Morgan Can Help

If you’ve experienced transmission problems in your GM vehicle, you’re not alone. Thousands of drivers across the country are reporting the same shuddering, jerking, and gear-slipping issues that make driving unpredictable and unsafe.

When automakers sell vehicles with known defects and fail to properly fix them, they need to be held accountable. The cost of repeated transmission repairs, towing fees, and time without a working vehicle shouldn’t fall on you, especially when the problem stems from a flawed design or manufacturing defect.

At Morgan & Morgan, we’re already investigating claims related to GM’s 8-speed and 10-speed transmission issues. Our attorneys can review your case at no cost, help determine whether you qualify for compensation under a class action lawsuit or lemon law claim, and fight to recover money for your repairs, diminished vehicle value, and any related losses.

We’ve taken on some of the largest corporations in the world, and we win because we don’t back down.

If your GM vehicle is showing signs of transmission failure, contact Morgan & Morgan today for a free case evaluation to learn more about your legal options.