Holden Commodore and Colorado Transmission Fault Class-Action Lawsuit
A new class-action lawsuit has been filed against General Motors Australia and New Zealand for a potentially faulty transmission found in Commodore and Colorado models. According to Maurice Blackburn, the law firm behind the suit, it is claimed that “hundreds of thousands” of Holden vehicles may be affected by this issue, and owners could potentially be eligible for compensation.
The alleged problem revolves around three automatic transmissions – the GM 6L45, 6L50, and 6L80 units – which are found in models such as the Commodore VE, Commodore VF, and Colorado ute, as well as their derivatives like the Calais, Ute, Caprice, Colorado 7, and Trailblazer. All affected vehicles were sold from January 1, 2011, onwards, with the registration for the class action open to anyone who has acquired one of these vehicles up to December 24, 2024.
Consumers may be eligible to take action if they have sold the vehicle, if the vehicle has been written off, or if they acquired an affected vehicle but have not experienced any issues with it within the specified timeframe. Maurice Blackburn’s principal lawyer, Kimi Nishimura, has stated that the alleged defect in the transmissions lies in the Torque Converter and Torque Converter Clutch, leading to problems like intermittent transmission shudders, excessive vibrations, and harsh gear shifts.
Reports from owners of affected vehicles also mention issues like leakage of automatic transmission fluid, accelerated degradation of transmission system components, and increased servicing requirements. The class action alleges that General Motors failed to meet the guarantee of acceptable quality under the Australian Consumer Law and engaged in misleading and deceptive conduct.
In response to inquiries, General Motors Australia and New Zealand have stated that they do not comment on ongoing litigation but are committed to achieving the best outcomes for Holden customers. This development follows similar class-action suits against other car manufacturers, such as Ford and Toyota, for transmission and DPF-related issues. The class action against Ford in 2016, for instance, led to compensation for affected owners of faulty Powershift dual-clutch automatic transmissions.
If you own one of the affected Holden vehicles listed below, you may be impacted by this class-action lawsuit:
– Colorado 7MY12-MY16, 6L50
– Colorado MY17-MY20, 6L50
– Trailblazer MY17-MY20, 6L50
– Commodore VE MY11-MY12.5, 6L45, 6L50, 6L80
– Commodore VF MY13-MY17, 6L45, 6L80
This situation underscores the importance of addressing potential issues with your vehicle promptly and seeking appropriate legal recourse if necessary. Stay informed, stay safe, and protect your rights as a consumer.
