General Motors sued in class action over ‘defective’ Holden transmissions

Headshot of Peta Rasdien
Peta Rasdien
The Nightly
 Holden vehicles released between 1 January 2011 and 24 December 2024 could be affected.
Holden vehicles released between 1 January 2011 and 24 December 2024 could be affected. Credit: CarExpert

A class action has been launched against the makers of Holden vehicles over allegedly defective transmission systems in a swathe of models released over the past 13 years.

Hundreds of thousands of Holden owners could be affected and, if the action being led by Maurice Blackburn against General Motors Australia and New Zealand in the Federal Court succeeds, entitled to compensation.

The legal suit claims the company failed to comply with Australian Consumer Law and engaged in misleading and deceptive conduct over the faulty transmissions.

Sign up to The Nightly's newsletters.

Get the first look at the digital newspaper, curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox.

Email Us
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.

“The action alleges that the transmission systems in the affected Holden vehicles are defective due to a design fault in the torque converter and torque converter clutch,” the legal firm wrote.

It is claimed the alleged defect means the vehicles experience various problems including “intermittent transmission shudders, excessive vibrations, harsh gear shifts, leakage of automatic transmission fluid, accelerated degradation of the components of the transmission system and greater servicing requirements”.

The action is being taken on behalf of people who bought Holden vehicles released between 1 January 2011 and 24 December 2024, equipped with: GM 6L 45; GM 6L 50; or GM 6L 80 transmissions.

Models affected by those transmissions include Colorado, Trailblazer, Commodore VE, Commodore VF, Berlina, Calais, Holden Ute and Caprice.

Consumers who acquired, including by way of purchase, exchange, lease or hire-purchase, one or more of the affected vehicles between 1 January 2011 and 24 December 2024 are eligible to enrol in the class action.

General Motors has declined to comment.

Read full list of affected vehicles.

Latest Edition

The Nightly cover for 08-01-2025

Latest Edition

Edition Edition 8 January 20258 January 2025

Underlying inflation figures have experts predicting rate relief for Aussie households - but is it all hot air?