Holden Class Action for Alleged Transmission Defects
Holden Faces Class Action Over Alleged Transmission Defects
An ongoing class action lawsuit has been initiated against Holden’s parent company, General Motors Australia and New Zealand, for reported transmission issues in Commodore and Colorado models. The law firm leading the charge, Maurice Blackburn, asserts that a significant number of Holdens may be affected, potentially making owners eligible for compensation.
The lawsuit focuses on three automatic transmission models – the GM 6L45, 6L50, and 6L80 units – utilized in Commodore VE, Commodore VF, and Colorado ute models, as well as in vehicles sharing similar components like the Calais, Ute, Caprice, Colorado 7, and Trailblazer. The impacted vehicles were sold starting from January 1, 2011, and individuals who acquired one of these models before December 24, 2024, are encouraged to register for the class action.
Maurice Blackburn’s principal lawyer, Kimi Nishimura, highlights that the alleged defects stem from a design flaw in the torque converter and torque converter clutch. Owners have reported various issues such as intermittent transmission shudders, excessive vibrations, harsh gear shifts, automatic transmission fluid leaks, accelerated component degradation, and increased servicing needs. The class action contends that General Motors did not fulfill the guarantee of acceptable quality under the Australian Consumer Law and engaged in deceptive conduct.
In response, a spokesperson for General Motors Australia and New Zealand stated that the company does not provide commentary on ongoing legal matters and remains committed to serving Holden customers to the best of their ability.
This class action follows similar legal actions against other automotive companies like Ford Australia in 2016 and Toyota in 2019 for transmission and diesel particulate filter issues, respectively. These cases underscore the importance of manufacturers upholding quality standards and addressing consumer concerns effectively.
