Holden Cruze 2010 Problems

There's only one option and that is to take it to your Holden dealer and have them assess the problem. The automatic gearbox in the Cruze is troublesome and you're not the only one to have trouble. Holden usually comes to the party in repairing or replacing the gearbox, so ask the dealer to request help from Holden when you take the car in.

I agree that it is frustrating for such a new car to be troubled in such a way, but I expect Holden will fix it. The company has been pretty good at repairing or replacing faulty transmissions in the Cruze once it has been established that the transmission is the problem. Do as Holden requests, have it towed to your dealer for assessment. I am confident it will work out for you.

Yes, you could approach Holden and present to them a case for reimbursement of the cost of repairs. Transmission problems are common with the Cruze, we have reported numerous in CarsGuide and it’s not an unknown to Holden. The company has in many cases replaced the transmission free of charge, so I think you would have a good case for getting your money back. Having had the repairs done by a Holden dealer should help you with your case. I doubt that you would be successful in getting any extra costs back, such as the hire car, but you could try.

I couldn’t recommend the Cruze; there are too many problems with its auto transmission, as we have reported here at CarsGuide. Look at the Mazda2 or Mazda3, Toyota Yaris or Corolla, which are generally trouble free.

There is a long and sad history of transmission failures on the Holden Cruze, and yours appears to be yet another case. Go direct to Holden and register your complaint and don't accept the explanation Holden has previously given to you. That's not the problem, the real problem is that the automatic transmission in the Cruze is prone to failure. Holden is replacing problem transmissions for owners who make enough noise, so go for it. If you get fobbed off again go straight to the CEO.

It's good that a Holden dealer has assessed it. I hope you have a written report from them to say the transmission is stuffed. Get on the phone and call Holden Customer Assistance people (1800 033 349) and register the problem with them, and ask for their help in replacing the transmission. The Cruze's auto transmission is clearly a problem and Holden needs to help people who have spent good money on their cars only to find they've got a fatal flaw.

No, it's not normal, but the Cruze has a problem with the automatic transmission and you are not alone. Take the car to a Holden dealer and have them assess it for you. If it does need a new transmission ask Holden to do it at its expense.

Take it to a Holden dealer and have it assessed. If the gearbox is found to be faulty, as I suspect it is, then you are justified in asking Holden to replace it at their expense.

NOTE: As a result of receiving a number of reports of transmission problems with the Holden Cruze we have contacted Holden for assistance in getting to the bottom of it. Once we’ve heard from Holden we’ll post any update here.

UPDATE: When asked about Holden's policy of replacing automatic transmissions in the Cruze when owners report them as giving trouble, the company's Director of Communications, Sean Poppitt gave us the following response.

"We are addressing each customer on a case-by-case basis, there's no single fix to the (automatic transmission) issues you've brought to our attention. For those unfortunate customers who experience problems, our Customer Care team are assisting them case by case, and we'll work with them to find a resolution."

Our advice to Cruze owners having problems with the automatic transmission in their cars is to report it to the dealers and request assistance in the form of a replacement transmission.

Strictly your car is out of warranty, but because there have been a lot of problems with the Cruze transmission it would likely be fixed by Holden at its expense. If you haven’t already take the car to your Holden dealer to be assessed, and if it’s found that the transmission needs to be replaced approach Holden with a claim to have them do it.

NOTE: We contacted Holden asking for a response, which is still coming. In the meantime, Danielle Warland tells us that Holden has agreed to replace the automatic transmission in her 2010 model Cruze. This will be the second time the automatic transmission has been replaced.

From what we've seen there is unquestionably a problem with the automatic transmission in the Cruze, for which we hope to get more information from the company.

We have also seen Holden replace or offer to replace transmissions in cars when owners complain. Any owner who believes they have a problem with the transmission in their Cruze should report it to their Holden dealer.

UPDATE: Cruze owner Danielle Warland has updated us with the latest news on her troublesome car.

"I got my car back last week after taking a week to fix. I did find out that Holden uses reconditioned transmissions. The gentleman at Holden advised me that me that the old one will be stripped back and rebuilt; no wonder they don't last. I have now decided to sell my car as it has been five years of hell with one issue after another and a lot of money spent."

Our advice to Cruze owners having problems with the automatic transmission in their cars is to report it to the dealers and request assistance in the form of a replacement transmission.

Holden’s response is entirely appropriate and you should do as they have suggested and get the car checked by the dealer, so the cause of the problem can be determined. If you don’t do that you won’t have any claim for compensation, but if you do, you can rightly ask Holden to fix the car for you at its expense. It’s not the only case we’ve heard about, and Holden has replaced a number of transmissions with problems like the one you describe.

NOTE: As a result of receiving a number of reports of transmission problems with the Holden Cruze we have contacted Holden for assistance in getting to the bottom of it. Once we’ve heard from Holden we’ll post any update here.

UPDATE: When asked about Holden's policy of replacing automatic transmissions in the Cruze when owners report them as giving trouble, the company's Director of Communications, Sean Poppitt gave us the following response.

"We are addressing each customer on a case-by-case basis, there's no single fix to the (automatic transmission) issues you've brought to our attention. For those unfortunate customers who experience problems, our Customer Care team are assisting them case by case, and we'll work with them to find a resolution."

Our advice to Cruze owners having any problems with the automatic transmission in their cars is to report it to the dealers immediately and request assistance in the form of a replacement transmission.

Holden's customer service line is: 1800 033 349