Does anyone know this C7?

teamzr1

Supporting vendor
A significant driving experience 'upgrade' compared with C6 - 8 speed auto is quite a piece of work and suits the C7 well!

Just when things seemed to be on the up and up for the Corvette, an older issue is coming back to strike.
GM models from 2015 to 2019 ( like C7) have transmission problems that make the trucks dangerous to drive and never received an effective solution.

We’ve been following and reporting on the C7 Corvette for having transmission problems for months, but the issue is larger than expected.
It includes multiple General Motors vehicles equipped with possibly faulty eight-speed automatic transmissions.

Specifically, the units involve the General Motors 8L90 and 8L45 eight-speed automatic transmissions built between 2015 and March 1, 2019
Both units have a lot in common, but the 8L45 is a lighter unit used in fewer options.

The more robust 8L90 is more popular, and both are designed for front, rear, and AWD applications.
The lawsuit alleges erratic transmission behavior makes vehicles unsafe to drive.

A judge granted class-action status to the lawsuit, r
epresenting 39 plaintiffs across 26 states.
Drivers of the Chevy Silverado and other GM vehicles report transmission hesitation, shaking, shuddering, clunking, and hard shifts upon changing gears.
Vehicle models in the lawsuit include:

• 2015 – 2019 Chevy Silverado 1500
• 2017 – 2019 Chevy Colorado
• 2015 – 2019 Chevy Corvette
• 2016 – 2019 Chevy Camero
• 2015 – 2019 Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac ESV
• 2016 – 2019 Cadillac ATS, ATS-V, CTS, CT6, and CTS-V
• 2015 – 2019 GMC Sierra, Yukon, Yukon XL, and Yukon Denali XL
• 2017 – 2019 GMC Canyon

• Reportedly, General Motors didn’t do enough to solve the transmission problems found in Chevy Silverado models and other vehicles.
Claims report that General Motors has released 13 different technical service bulletins related to the issue shifting issue alone since 2015.
• So, technicians had 13 different things to try. Some of the bulletins recommended changing the transmission fluid, replacing the torque converter, providing a software update, removing the transmission pan, replacing the transmission cooler bypass valve (TBV), and more.

• But older technical service bulletins from 2017 and earlier report that the cause of the transmission problems is unknown and that General Motors was working on finding the cause and providing a solution.
• Cohen Milstein partner, Ted Leopold, is the court-appointed lead counsel on the case and shared that General Motors knowingly sold over 800,000 vehicles equipped with faulty eight-speed automatic transmission units despite being aware of the defects.
• The business decision to not tell customers before their purchase was made. Allegedly, dealers were instructed to tell customers that the hard shifts were normal and characteristic. Ted shared that this decision-making is highly irresponsible and emblematic of that General Motors believes it can get away with.

• Did the A8 transmission problems ever get corrected?

• The GM vehicles didn’t exactly receive a fix for the transmission problems. But it gets a new eight-speed automatic transmission when it was redesigned for 2019. In 2023, GM started replacing the transmission control module and reprogramming the software.

• There hasn’t been any clear indication if this fixed the problem. Also, if you had a 2015 model with issues, then waiting until 2023 for a potential fix is a long time.
• There was a recall related to a driveshaft issue in 2020 that could send vibrations through the transmission as well.
 

teamzr1

Supporting vendor
The 8 speed automatic transmissions in several GM vehicles, including five model years during the C7 Corvette era, have been the subject of five separate class action lawsuits claiming defects.

Now, Michigan Judge David M. Lawson has consolidated the five suits and also dismissed two claims one for implied warranty for all plaintiffs that fall under the laws of Alabama, Arizona, Connecticut, Idaho, Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, Washington, and Wisconsin & another for one plaintiff who claimed class-wide monetary damages under the Colorado Consumer Protection Act.

Judge Lawson will allow other allegations in the suit to proceed, including certain other claims related to implied warranty.
The judge also acknowledged that the complaints put forth by plaintiffs could be consistent with either materials/workmanship defects or a design defect.

He also did not dismiss claims that GM knew there were issues with the 8 speed transmission before it put affected vehicles on sale, saying “plausible inferences may be drawn that GM had substantial knowledge about the looming problems with its new transmissions before any of the plaintiffs’ purchases were made.”

The suits allege that GM’s 8L45E and 8L90 automatic transmissions can cause slipping gears, shifting into gear aggressively, shuddering or jerking, delayed acceleration, and trouble slowing down.

GM argues that because all these transmissions experience these problems, they are caused by a design defect and the suits should be dismissed because GM’s express warranty only covers defects in materials and workmanship.

Other allegations in the suit can proceed, the judge ruled, including certain other claims related to implied warranty. Lawson also noted that the complaints could be consistent with either materials/workmanship defects or a design defect.

He also allowed claims to continue that GM was aware of the transmission issues before the vehicles were sold, saying “plausible inferences may be drawn that GM had substantial knowledge about the looming problems with its new transmissions before any of the plaintiffs’ purchases were made.”

The affected Corvettes include 2015-19 models with A8

The first year of the C7 generation featured a 6 speed automatic transmission that is not included in the suits.

Other GM vehicles affected :

• 2015-2017 Cadillac Escalade
• 2015-2017 Cadillac Escalade ESV
• 2016-2019 Cadillac ATS
• 2016-2019 Cadillac ATS-V
• 2016-2019 Cadillac CTS
• 2016-2019 Cadillac CTS-V
• 2016-2019 Cadillac CT6
• 2015-2019 Chevrolet Silverado
• 2017-2019 Chevrolet Colorado
• 2016-2019 Chevrolet Camaro
• 2017-2019 GMC Canyon
• 2015-2019 GMC Sierra
• 2015-2019 GMC Yukon
• 2015-2019 GMC Yukon XL
• 2015-2017 GMC Yukon Denali
• 2015-2017 GMC Yukon Denali XL
 

Chevrolet

CCCUK Member
The C7 A8 tranny has a had a crap load of problems. At least one class action lawsuit due to those issues
There's a group of guys in Nottingham (some club members) who have bought numerous UK spec C7s and Camaros with the 2016 onwards A8 auto tranny. Not one of them has had a problem with them. I didn't on my 2017 in 3 years of ownership. None of them have had a problem with the leather dashboard, including two 2014 C7 UK cars.
 

Pinhead

CCCUK Member
Thanks for the replies everyone - Further reading required by me I think! All I know is that I really like the look of a C7 (would have to be manual!). I definitely wouldnt want a UAE import (which I don't think the blue one is)

Locked ecu not a problem because I wouldn't want to tune it. The interior situation is a shame because one of the big draws for me is the colour scheme! @Pinhead do you have a photo of the peeling dash?
I have some videos I can send you on WhatsApp
Not sure how to pm you for your no.
 

Roscobbc

Moderator
I have some videos I can send you on WhatsApp
Not sure how to pm you for your no.
Simply 'hover' your mouse pointer over the intended recipients name on their last post, click and it will show 'start conversation' - follow-on from there..........(but this may not work if you are not a 'signed-up' CCCUK member)
 

Chevrolet

CCCUK Member
Simply 'hover' your mouse pointer over the intended recipients name on their last post, click and it will show 'start conversation' - follow-on from there..........(but this may not work if you are not a 'signed-up' CCCUK member)
Don't think it does Ross? If I click on yours, it shows the "Start Conversation" tab. If I click on Pinheads it doesn't?
 

Pinhead

CCCUK Member

This has just been advertised
It would certainly be interesting if anyone knows the history of this car as its a CatS
Looks like a euro spec manual
It has the optional carbon dash and carbon roof
And I would suspect the aftermarket lambo style headlights are due to the fact the reason for right off was front end smash
The stingray logos on the wings IMO look awful

The seller claims this is the cheapest C7 ever
It's not I paid less for mine with less miles and clean history

Where do others value this car ?
 

Chevrolet

CCCUK Member
Where do others value this car ?
Personally, I wouldn't buy CAT "Anything". According to this, Cat S (structural damage) repaired cars "can be up to 35% cheaper" but may cost more to insure. Suspect a Cat S C7 will be a lot more to insure, if you can get a quote? Then again, the insurer will only be insuring it for its Cat S value?
 
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Roscobbc

Moderator

This has just been advertised
It would certainly be interesting if anyone knows the history of this car as its a CatS
Looks like a euro spec manual
It has the optional carbon dash and carbon roof
And I would suspect the aftermarket lambo style headlights are due to the fact the reason for right off was front end smash
The stingray logos on the wings IMO look awful

The seller claims this is the cheapest C7 ever
It's not I paid less for mine with less miles and clean history

Where do others value this car ?
Initially I would have said it's getting perhaps close to a reasonable price......I like it......but seller notes it was that light panel damage....but this car is Cat 'S', which is major structural damage. Light panel damage is Cat 'N'......... irrespective of how bad the 'structural' damage was.......it's still recorded as Cat 'S' and will take a big 'hit' when sold again......wonder how insurers will rate a Cat 'S' vehicle (or Cat 'N' for that matter)
 

Ian at Forfar

CCCUK Member
Also the fact it’s had 4 previous owners the current owner would be the 5th , warning bells suerly .
Just my thoughts though .
 
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Roscobbc

Moderator
Personally, I wouldn't buy CAT "Anything". According to this, Cat S (structural damage) repaired cars "can be up to 35% cheaper" but may cost more to insure. Suspect a Cat S C7 will be a lot more to insure, if you can get a quote? The again, the insurer will only be insuring it for its Cat S value?
My last 'daily' car was a Cat 'S'.....an old banger admittedly but still paid a higher premium.......
 

Roscobbc

Moderator
Ah yes seen that
According to my mate in Germany it's also advertised there for €74000
He says its been a write off too
I see it's being advertised in Northolt......
Coincidence perhaps but I seem to recall the bronze C7 salvage car now advertised in Doncaster I seem to recall was originally advertised from Greenford, (may have been Northolt ?)
 

Chevrolet

CCCUK Member
Wonder if its a UK car originally, or from somewhere else (mainland Europe?). Seller is "Insurance-Direct" Does that tell us something? Does look nice tho and well presented with the opposing hoover/vacum stripes on the sueded microfibre seat inserts. :)
 

Roscobbc

Moderator
Wonder if its a UK car originally, or from somewhere else (mainland Europe?). Seller is "Insurance-Direct" Does that tell us something? Does look nice tho and well presented with the opposing hoover/vacum stripes on the sueded microfibre seat inserts. :)
The Insurance-Direct name I'm guessing is to perhaps reassure any potential buyers of the credibility of the seller.......but what of the 300+ other sellers out there who are also using this name......?
 

Nassau65

CCCUK Member
Pretty risky IMO buying a cat S vehicle unless it is the bargain of the century with a capital B. Certainly a vehicle of this calibre.
Many/probably most potential buyers would be put off by it, insurance as said previously would cost more, and if anything did happen to it and it was written off, they payout by the insurance company would be low.
Also it would probably be written off for not so much damage because it is/was a category S to begin with.
Buyer beware or think very carefully here me thinks
 
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