Holden Captiva Problems

We have certainly had a lot of complaints about the Captiva pulling to the left and wearing tyres out prematurely. We have taken the issue up with Holden before, but will do so again now that we have had so many complaints.

With the high number of complaints we have been receiving about this issue there seems little doubt there is a problem with the Captiva. You would have to think the Captiva hasn’t been developed for our high camber roads, and there isn’t sufficient adjustment to get it steering straight. Pedders claims to be able to fix it with their aftermarket camber kit and that’s one course of action for you. If you want to persist with the dealer and Holden I would suggest you have the wheel alignment checked, that could be the problem, but if that doesn’t work you are then on solid grounds to negotiate with Holden.

I would also urge owners who have the same problem with their Captivas to contact Holden and register their concerns. There is little doubt that the Captiva has a problem with wheel alignment that results in rapid and uneven tyre wear.

It appears Holden is unable to fix the problem, so owners experiencing rapid tyre wear/the vehicle pulling to the left should think about consulting a suspension/steering specialist who seem to be able to do what Holden can't.

I feel you are right, and there are lots of other Captiva owners out there who feel the same way. The tyre wear is a camber problem and there isn't enough adjustment on the front-end to correct it. You can go to a company like Pedders and they can fit camber pins to the front-end and do an alignment, which will fix the problem. The cost will be in the order of $250. The pulling problem is a different one and related to caster. Right now there is no fix available for it, but a number of suspension specialist companies are developing eccentric bushes that can be fitted to allow the caster to be adjusted to rid it of its tendency to pull left. You could also follow Holden's advice and have the car wheel aligned to the specification you have been given, and see how it goes.

A Holden spokesperson told us that they "have a handful of reported instances through Holden's Technical Assistance of Captivas with a "pulling left" complaint. In all cases, basic wheel alignment adjustment has rectified the condition. Given the volume of Captivas within the marketplace and the low instance of complaints, this condition is certainly not "common of the vehicle" but we are aware of some cases." Further it was recommended "that any vehicle with this condition be checked for correct wheel alignment adjustment (front and rear) and re-evaluated (as per normal repair for any vehicle with a complaint of this nature). Should a vehicle have a condition not corrected by wheel alignment adjustment the customer should then present the vehicle to a Holden Dealer for correction. If the Dealer has any issue with rectifying the condition the dealer should contact Holden Technical Assistance Centre for repair direction."

25,000 km is not too shabby for a big, heavy car like the Captiva. I wouldn't expect to get more than 35,000-40,000 km at best. If it hasn't been wheel aligned it's probably worth doing to make sure the wheel alignment is correct. If it is and you want to have a suspension specialist check it there are many around who could do it, Pedders being one.

To have the front tyres wear out at such low kays is unacceptable, particularly when the dealer can find no fault with the car that might have caused it. There is little doubt in my mind that the Captiva has a problem. Put your complaint in writing to your dealer and to Holden and request a meeting with a company representative to thrash out a course of action that will address your concerns.

You are not alone. Your experience is quite common, but one that Holden doesn't seem keen to own up to. Contact Holden directly and register your concerns. You could also consult a suspension specialist like Pedders who should be able to fix the problem for you.

Yours is the first complaint we've received on this issue. Contact Holden's Customer Assistance service on 1800 033 349 or fax (03) 9647 1237. If you want to write to the company, perhaps to the Managing Director, the address is PO Box 1714, Melbourne, 3001. There isn't an e-mail address you can use.