For decades, General Motors Company’s (GM) pickup trucks have been one of the best-selling vehicles in America. In 2020 alone the automaker sold 847,110 Chevy Silverados and GMC Sierra trucks.

GM Authority reports that the Chevy Silverado sold an impressive 594,094 units in 2020, while the GMC Sierra sold 253,016.  With a demonstrated track record of success, you would expect GM trucks to be reliable, quality vehicles.

However, despite the popularity of GM  trucks, many Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra owners have experienced a violent shaking, more commonly known as the “Chevy Shake”.

A Google search for “Chevy Shake” produces millions of results. Chevrolet, Cadillac, and GMC owners have experienced violent shaking while driving over 35 mph.

The “Chevy Shake” causes many owners to question the safety of their trucks. In fact, the shaking is so intense Silverado and Sierra owners lose the ability to steer and control their trucks.

Due to a large number of complaints around the shaking behavior, several class-action lawsuits have been filed. The “Chevy Shake” lawsuits have alleged two possible causes for the incessant shaking: aluminum driveshafts and 8-speed transmissions problems.

Class Action Lawsuit Filed for the Chevy Shake 

A class-action lawsuit was recently filed which includes the following GM vehicles. It’s important to note the list of trucks and cars affected by the “Chevy Shake” as they may fall under the lemon law.

  • 2014–2019 Chevrolet Silverado
  • 2017–2019 Chevrolet Colorado
  • 2015–2019 Chevrolet Corvette
  • 2016–2019 Chevrolet Camaro
  • 2015 – 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe
  • 2015 -2020 Chevrolet Suburban
  • 2015–2020 Cadillac Escalade
  • 2015–2019 Cadillac Escalade ESV
  • 2016–2019 Cadillac ATS
  • 2016–2019 Cadillac ATS-V
  • 2016–2019 Cadillac CTS
  • 2016–2019 Cadillac CT6
  • 2016–2019 Cadillac CTS-V
  • 2014–2019 GMC Sierra
  • 2015–2020 GMC Yukon
  • 2015 -2020 GMC Yukon XL
  • 2015–2017 GMC Yukon Denali
  • 2014 -2017 GMC Denali XL
  • 2017–2019 GMC Canyon

According to the “Chevy Shake Class Action Lawsuit”, Francis v. General Motors, GM truck and SUV owners have experienced “Chevy Shake” problems with defective 8L45 and 8L90 transmissions in their Chevrolet, GMC, and Cadillac vehicles.

The lawsuit points to the eight-speed transmission as the source of the shaking problem. The hydraulic system in the 8-speed transmission places a lot of stress on the gears causing premature wear. Thus, the stress causes the metal shavings to become trapped in the transmission which affects the operation of the transmission. Essentially, the metal shavings prevent the smooth shifting of gears, and the car or truck shakes.

Problems Causing the Chevy Shake

Our investigation has discovered two defects that may be causing the “Chevy Shake” in the Silverado and Sierra as well as other GM models.  The “Chevy Shake” is due to problems or defects with the GM transmission and/or the aluminum driveshaft. Let’s take a quick look at both perpetrators.

1. GM 8 Speed Transmission Problems

As we previously reported, the GM 8L90 and its lighter transmission the GM 8L45, generate the following complaints by Chevy and GM owners:

  • Shudder
  • Slow or no response
  • Leaks and puddles under your car
  • Warning lights on your dash
  • Grinding or clunking noises

The complaints don’t stop at shuddering. Drivers have reported a violent shaking as the trucks accelerate or slow down; vehicles slip between gears and hesitate when accelerating, according to many consumers.

GM is aware of the problems with the 8 speed GM transmission and issued several bulletins to address the complaints. Click here for a copy of the GM service bulletin 18-NA-355.

GM’s attempt to correct the “Chevy Shake” was through addressing an issue with the transmission fluid. GM recommends “owners replace the original transmission fluid with a lighter viscosity to correct the repair of the transmission and correct the shaking”.

2. Aluminum Driveshaft Defect

In another “Chevy Shake” class-action lawsuit, Kim Bostick vs. GM, the Plaintiffs allege that the “Chevy Shake” is caused by a faulty aluminum driveshaft.

Apparently, the aluminum driveshaft causes such violent shaking that drivers lose control of their vehicles.

The driveshaft, also known as the propeller shaft or prop shaft, transfers power from the engine to the wheels, making them spin. Violent shaking deteriorates the aluminum driveshaft with time. A dropped driveshaft renders the vehicle undrivable.

This is not the first time GM has been made aware of a shaking problem with their vehicles.  We previously reported a shaking problem with the 2017-2019 Chevy Trax, and a defect with the control arms causing the infamous “Chevy Shake”.

Lemon Law Information for the Chevy Shake

GM can’t seem to shake these issues, but you don’t have to suffer for their oversight. If your Chevy Silverado or GMC Sierra truck, other GM model SUV or car is experiencing a violent shaking, make sure you understand your lemon law rights and what you should do if you have a Chevy Shake lemon.

If you’re driving a lemon, let David J. Gorberg & Associates help you. We’re PA Lemon Law, NJ Lemon Law, and NY Lemon Law experts.

You don’t need to take GM on by yourself, let us do it for you!

Contact us today and tell us about your lemon!