On July 1, 2020 General Motors Corporation announced a “pilot program” to address 9-speed transmission defects across multiple models and years including:

2020-2021 GMC Acadia

2020-2021 Cadillac XT5

2020-2021 Cadillac XT6

2018-2021 Buick Enclave

2019-2021 Chevy Blazer

2018-2021 Chevy Traverse

The transmission at issue, known as the “9T65”, has experienced massive problems. The driver of these vehicles may experience these defects in the following ways:

1. Getting locked out of gear

While driving at highway speeds, the transmission won't shift from gear to gear and it feels like you are in neutral with the RPM's increasing, but the vehicle won't automatically shift like it should. This happens in fifth through ninth gear. So this defect occurs usually in overdrive gears at 40 MPH or higher.

2. Transmission slip and/or flare up between the first and second gear upshift

While driving from 5 to 15 MPH, the transmission will “slip” or fail to smoothly shift from first to second. This slip is usually a hesitation, but could also be more pronounced like jerking or banging into gear, causing a noticeable bucking of the vehicle.

3. High-pitched noise when decelerating
4. Slippage of the torque converter
5. Transmission fluid leak
6. Flashing ‘D' on the PRNDL display.

The pilot program was issued in conjunction with a Technical Service Bulletin, (“TSB”), which a basically a road map for dealership technicians to attempts to repair this known defect.  The actual TSB is 20-NA-136, and can be found here: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2020/MC-10178286-9999.pdf.

If you have one of these GMC, Cadillac, Chevrolet or Buick models and are experiencing transmission defects, you may have Lemon Law rights. Your legal rights vary depending on the severity and nature of the transmission defects, the number of repair attempts and the age/mileage of your vehicle.

To qualify for the General Motors pilot program your vehicle must be purchased in the U.S and be less than 18 months old from the date of delivery. Additionally, your vehicle must have less than 18,000 miles on the odometer. The program expires December 1, 2021. But even if you do not qualify for the pilot program, this will not prevent you from being awarded damages for purchasing a Lemon.

Please contact Adam Alexander at (248) 246-6353 if you feel your G.M. vehicle is experiencing these transmission problems or if you think your vehicle is a Lemon.