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GM 6T40/6T45 vs VW 01M: which gearbox is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the VW 01M gearbox carries less risk than the GM 6T40/6T45 gearbox: 32/100 versus 43/100 (both moderate risk). The GM 6T40/6T45 gearbox has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Gearbox jerking and slipping from the converter, solenoid valves and valve body»; the VW 01M gearbox has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Valve body wear and internal pressure leaks (slipping and jerking)».

Risk index

GM 6T40/6T45

43

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

VW 01M

32

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

The index (0–100) weights the severity and frequency of the three most serious documented faults. How it is calculated

10 sourcesHow we work

Is the GM 6T40/6T45 gearbox reliable?

The Hydra-Matic 6T40/6T45 is GM's six-speed transverse automatic, found in the Chevrolet Cruze, Orlando, Captiva, Trax and Onix and the Opel Astra, Mokka and Antara. Its best-documented fault is the breakage of the 3-5-R clutch wave plate, and workshops and the press also cite jerking and slipping from the converter and the solenoid valves.[1][2][3][4]

See the 2 of the GM 6T40/6T45 gearbox faults

Is the VW 01M gearbox reliable?

The VW 01M is the 4-speed automatic gearbox that Volkswagen fitted from 1995 to 2005 in the Golf, the Bora, the New Beetle and, according to the sources, the first-generation Octavia, León and A3. Its documented faults are the wiring and speed sensors (emergency mode in third gear), wear of the valve body and the plastic speedometer gear.[5][6][7]

See the 3 of the VW 01M gearbox faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of GM 6T40/6T45 and VW 01M
GM 6T40/6T45VW 01M
Technical data
TypeGearboxGearbox
Gearbox typeAutomatic with torque converter and planetary gear sets, 6 speeds, transverse mounting (front-wheel drive; some variants also all-wheel drive)Automatic with torque converter with lock-up and epicyclic gear sets, 4 speeds, transverse mounting
Productionsince 2008[1]1995–2005[5]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)43Moderate risk32Moderate risk
Documented faults23
Of high or critical severity21
Worst severityHigh severityHigh severity
Main faults
  1. High severity: Gearbox jerking and slipping from the converter, solenoid valves and valve body
  2. High severity: Breakage of the 3-5-R clutch wave plate in the automatic gearbox
  1. High severity: Valve body wear and internal pressure leaks (slipping and jerking)
  2. Medium severity: Wiring and speed sensor (G38 and G68) faults and emergency mode in third gear
  3. Medium severity: Broken plastic speedometer gear
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNoneNone
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 01M (4 speeds, 1995-2005)[5][6]
AvoidVersions to avoidNoneNone

Severity of each fault: green, low; amber, medium; red, high; dark red, critical. How we rate them

Cars that each one is fitted to

GM 6T40/6T45

See the 11 models with the GM 6T40/6T45 gearbox

VW 01M

See the 7 models with the VW 01M gearbox

Other comparisons

With the GM 6T40/6T45 gearbox

With the VW 01M gearbox

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Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. GM 6T transmissionWikipedia (en) · Encyclopedia · consulted 2 November 2026
  2. Trans Woes (resumen de un boletin de GM sobre la 6T40/6T45)Vehicle Service Pros · Motoring press · published 12 June 2017 · consulted 2 November 2026
  3. GM 6T40 & 6T70 Drum Saver Kits: Unbeatable Protection Against 3-5-R Failures & ComebacksSonnax · Technical documentation · published 19 September 2019 · consulted 2 November 2026
  4. Holden Cruze: problemas de transmision (preguntas y respuestas)CarsGuide · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026
  5. Volkswagen 01M transmissionWikipedia (en) · Encyclopedia · consulted 2 November 2026
  6. 4-Speed Automatic Transmission (01M)Ross-Tech Wiki · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026
  7. SK VW-01M: kit de reparación de la 01M, 01N y 01PTransgo · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026
  8. Remanufactured 6T45 transmissionsACE Remanufacturing · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026
  9. Fiabilite Chevrolet Orlando: pannes et avis de proprietairesfiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  10. 3-5-R Drum Saver Kit 144555K (GM 6T40/6T45/6T50)Sonnax · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026