A new class action alleges a major car brand produced vehicles with faulty transmissions for 13 years.

The vehicles included those equipped with a GM 6L 45 transmission, a GM 6L 50 transmission, or a GM 6L 80 transmission.

The affected models include the Commodore VE, the Commodore VF, and the Colorado.

“Our class action alleges that the transmission systems in the affected Holden vehicles are defective due to a design fault in the torque converter and torque converter clutch,” Maurice Blackburn principal lawyer Kimi Nishimura said.

“Because of the alleged defect, car owners have experienced problems with their vehicles including intermittent transmission shudders, excessive vibrations and harsh gear shifts.”

Nishimura claimed owners of the affected vehicles also reported “leakage of automatic transmission fluid, accelerated degradation of transmission system components and greater servicing requirements”.

“The class action alleges that General Motors failed to comply with the guarantee of acceptable quality under the Australian consumer law and engaged in misleading and deceptive conduct,” she said.

“Through this class action, we are seeking to recover compensation for those consumers who experienced loss and damage related to the transmission system in the affected vehicles.”

Nishimura said car owners did not need to register or sign up to be a group member in the class action, but she encouraged people to register so the firm could keep them updated about the progress of the case.

Consumers can still register for the class action if they have sold the vehicle, the vehicle has been written off, or they acquired an affected vehicle but have not experienced any problems with it.

9news.com.au has contacted General Motors Australia and New Zealand for comment.