Internal damage to General Motors’ 10-speed transmissions is causing harsh shifting and temporary wheel lock-ups for certain Cadillac and Chevy vehicles. However, a recently issued recall on approximately 90,000 model year 2019–2022 Cadillac or Chevy vehicles will implement the recall remedy in phases.
General Motors and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration are aware of 115 field reports and one alleged accident related to the harsh shifting and wheel lock-up condition.1
If your 2019–2022 Cadillac or Chevy vehicle has experienced these issues, you may have to wait for a remedy according to the recall schedule. If you have any of the following vehicles with a 10-speed transmission, keep any recall notices you receive and learn how recalls affect your individual rights as a car buyer or owner:
- 2019–2020 Cadillac CT6
- 2020–2021 Cadillac CT4
- 2020–2021 Cadillac CT5
- 2020–2022 Chevrolet Camaro
The newly issued recall on these Cadillac and Chevrolet models is not the first time General Motors’ 10-speed transmissions have run into issues. General Motors had recalled nearly 500,000 diesel vehicles with 10-speed transmissions for a rear wheel lock-up condition.
The 10-speed transmission, a collaboration between General Motors and Ford, provoked an investigation into a potential class action lawsuit for its harsh shifting issues and other possible defects.
GM 10-Speed Wheel Lock-Up Recall: Quick Facts
- NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V148000
- GM Recall Number: N242480630
- Estimated Number Of Vehicles: 90,081
- Vehicle Models: 2019–2020 Cadillac CT6, 2020–2021 Cadillac CT4, 2020–2021 Cadillac CT5, and 2020–2022 Chevrolet Camaro vehicles
- Vehicle issue: Excess wear in the transmission control valve body causes fluid leaks. The resulting loss of pressure within the transmission control valve can result in harsh shifting or a temporary wheel lock-up condition. Either vehicle symptom can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Dealers will install new transmission software designed to prevent harsh shifting and wheel lock-up conditions by monitoring valve condition and excess wear.
The remedy software detects excessive wear about 10,000 miles before the wheels could lock up. If and when excess wear is detected, the transmission will be limited to fifth gear (wheel lock-up conditions typically occur in downshift from eighth gear). Drivers may experience their vehicles becoming sluggish or notice a service engine light and reduced propulsion message on the instrument panel.
Dealers were notified on March 6, 2025 of the recall remedy and phased schedule.
On April 21, 2025, recall notices will be issued to vehicle owners for whom the recall remedy is available. At the time of the recall being issued, the transmission software service is only available for 2020–2021 Cadillac CT4, 2020–2021 Cadillac CT5 and 2019 Cadillac CT6.2
That same date, interim recall notices will be issued to the rest of the vehicle owner population.
Cadillac, Chevy Wheel Lock-up Recall: Contact Information
To ask about your eligibility for the recall remedy or schedule a recall repair service, contact your manufacturer through one of the following phone numbers:3
- Cadillac customer service: 1-800-333-4223
- Chevrolet customer service: 1-800-222-1020
You may also check your vehicle’s recall status with NHTSA’s Recall Search Tool and search for your vehicle using your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) found on your vehicle’s driver’s side front windshield or doorjamb.
If you see other issues with your vehicle’s 10-speed transmission, report them via NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline: 888-327-4236.
GM Harsh Shifting, Wheel Lock-Up History
On September 27, 2024, General Motors received an internal report of a driver experiencing a wheel lock-up condition in a 2021 Cadillac CT5. According to the report, both front tires locked up while driving and the vehicle went into “neutral.” The vehicle was towed and the damaged engine and front differential were replaced.
At the time, General Motors had investigated the issue before and determined that a momentary lock up of the wheels was not sufficient to cause a loss of vehicle control. GM had not yet identified any accidents or injuries related to the vehicle issue.
General Motors re-investigated the condition in November. On December 18, 2024, a completed analysis of field data yielded 115 field reports of wheels locking up, with one reported accident. These reports were received between February 17, 2022 and November 12, 2024.
What To Do If Your Cadillac Of Chevy Cannot Get Repaired
If your Cadillac or Chevy vehicle cannot be repaired within a reasonable time frame or number of repair attempts, your vehicle may be considered defective under California’s consumer protection laws. Specifically, the California Lemon Law entitles owners of defective vehicles to recover cash compensation, a replacement vehicle, or an approximately full refund of their vehicles’ purchase prices.
Some vehicle owners who have had to wait for an unreasonable amount of time for a recall remedy have also been able to take lemon law cases against their auto manufacturers. However, we recommend consulting a lemon law attorney to see if your situation is applicable. Learn how recalls affect your lemon law rights.
Our Cadillac and Chevrolet lemon law attorneys can help you recover restitution for your defective vehicle. Get a free consultation from our lemon lawyers at 833-208-8181.
References
- (2025, March 6). Part 573 Safety Recall Report 25V-148. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2025/RCLRPT-25V148-9249.PDF
- (2025, March 6). Reference Number: 202503060008. https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2025/RCMN-25V148-1299.pdf
- (2025, March 6). Transmission Damage May Cause Wheel Lock-Up. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. https://www.nhtsa.gov/?nhtsaId=25V148000
Lemon Law Help by Knight Law Group is an automotive lemon law firm that exclusively practices in California, with offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento and Orange County. If you are a California resident who purchased or leased a defective vehicle from a licensed dealership in California, we may be able to help you get rid of your potential lemon and recover significant cash compensation. Model year restrictions apply: 2020–Present vehicle models only.
However, we cannot help those who reside outside of California or purchased their vehicle outside of California unless they are active duty members of the Armed Forces, nor will we be able to refer those to a lemon law firm in their states.
To learn more about the California Lemon Law and your legal rights, visit our guide on the California Lemon Law for more information.
