Transmission Valve Body Backorder Leaves California GM Owners in Limbo — Know Your Lemon Law Rights
If you own a recent model Chevy Silverado, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra, Yukon, or Cadillac Escalade in California, you might be among the many drivers left without answers or repairs due to a nationwide backorder on transmission valve bodies. This widespread issue is affecting General Motors (GM) trucks and SUVs equipped with 8-speed and 10-speed automatic transmissions.
What’s Going On?
According to industry reports, many GM vehicles from the 2019 model year onward are experiencing momentary rear-wheel lock-up or other driveability issues due to failures in the transmission valve body. GM has acknowledged the problem and launched a Special Coverage (N242454441), promising repairs for affected vehicles for up to 15 years or 150,000 miles. However, replacement parts are on backorder across the country. Some owners have waited six to seven months—or more—without a fix. Dealerships, in some cases, have resorted to full transmission replacements, which are also being delayed.
What Vehicles are Impacted?
2019 and on Chevy Silverado 1500
2019 and on 2024 Chevy Suburban
2019 and on 2024 Chevy Tahoe
2019 and on 2024 GMC Sierra 1500
2019 and on 2024 GMC Yukon
2019 and on 2024 GMC Yukon XL
2019 and on 2024 Cadillac Escalade
2019 and on 2024 Cadillac Escalade ESV
How This Impacts You in California
California’s Lemon Law (the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act) is one of the strongest in the nation. If your GM truck or SUV has spent significant time in the shop or has had multiple repair attempts for the same defect, you may be entitled to a buyback or cash settlement.
Under California law, a vehicle may qualify as a lemon if:
It’s been out of service for 30 days or more (not necessarily consecutive) for warranty repairs, or
The dealership has made two or more attempts to fix a serious safety issue, or four or more attempts to fix a non-safety issue — and the defect still exists.
Transmission problems that affect driveability, safety, or reliability — especially if they include sudden lock-up or jerking — are often considered substantial enough to trigger lemon law protections.
What You Should Do
Keep records of every repair order, service invoice, and communication with the dealership or GM.
Don’t wait — long delays due to parts shortages could still qualify your vehicle as a lemon under California law.
Contact a lemon law attorney who understands how these cases are handled in California courts, like Valero Law!
If your Chevy, GMC, or Cadillac is stuck waiting for transmission valve body repairs, Valero Law may be able to help. We offer free case evaluations and only get paid if we win. Your case will be handled on a contingency basis — that means no fees, ever, unless we recover for you.
Don’t wait out the backorder. If your GM vehicle qualifies, you could be entitled to a buyback or cash settlement. Contact Valero Law today for a free California lemon law case review.