Owners of General Motors (GM) trucks and SUVs with the troubled 8-speed automatic transmission just received some bad news from the court system.

An appeals court recently decertified a major class-action transmission lawsuit against General Motors, a move that transmission expert Nate from NextGen Drivetrain called “a bad day for consumers.”

He explained that GM only appealed because they had already lost in a lower court and believed their legal strategy was to “Strike the shepherd and the sheep scatter,” effectively breaking up the unified group of owners.

Root of the Problem

According to Nate, the court’s reasoning that there were “too many differences among vehicle owners” is a scam. He argues the single, unifying issue is that “the 8-speed GM transmission is a design defect. I know, I’m the one who fixed it.”

He identifies the core mechanical flaw as the “pulse dampeners” within the valve body, a series of small pistons and springs that he claims are designed to wear out and fail prematurely.

Nate states that his company, NextGen, developed a simple billet plate and plug kit that completely deletes these problematic parts. He explained that a DIYer can install the fix in their own driveway and that GM could easily and cheaply implement a similar solution themselves.

Transmission Lawsuit: Nate’s Final Say

Nate’s strongest criticism is aimed at what he sees as a complete disregard for consumer safety and accountability from major automakers. He urges truck owners to abandon brand loyalty and stop siding with the manufacturers when they put out things that don’t work.

His ultimate, and most drastic, advice for consumers is to simply stop buying new cars until the manufacturers are forced by financial pressure to build more reliable products. He argues this is the only way to truly hold them accountable when the legal system fails to do so.

A Story Over Drinks

Nate’s breakdown of the transmission lawsuit clearly shows the deep frustration felt by many owners who are caught between complex mechanical failures and corporate legal strategies. It’s a story of fighting for accountability against a system that seems determined not to provide it.

After breaking down the entire frustrating situation, you can just picture Nate leaning back in a shop chair, lighting a cigar, and grabbing a drink. He’d likely take a long pull, look you in the eye, and start a long conversation regarding these growing GM issues.