Holden Cruze Gearbox & Transmission Problems

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.

Take it to a Holden dealer and have them assess the transmission for you. If your mechanic is correct and the transmission does need to be replaced request Holden to do it free of charge. The transmission in the Cruze of that year is known to be faulty, and Holden has replaced many without charge.

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 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.

With the age of the car and the fact that it is out of warranty, you're largely in the hands of Holden and their willingness to cover repairs out of "good will". I would press the company to come good with a repair to the transmission cooler on the same basis of good will. The oil leak is another matter, I wouldn't bother to seek a good will payment for that, it's too minor a problem to be bothered with. Just fix it.

I agree with you, it should have been replaced earlier, and under warranty. The automatic transmission in the Cruze has a troubled history, as we have consistently reported. Present your dealer with your car's history of failure and make a formal request that the transmission be replaced at no cost to you. If the dealer won't agree take your case directly to Holden's Customer Care service (Ph: 1800 033 349).

Go to a different mechanic, one who can pull the gearbox out, dismantle it and find out what's causing the problem. It's not a problem we have had reported to us before.

You should take it to the Holden dealer for the diagnostic check, and to find out how much Holden is prepared to contribute to the cost of repairs. I would guess because you have been doing the servicing yourself that Holden will offer you a lesser amount. But once you know how much they are prepared to pay you can decide on what to do.

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.

If there is no error code showing on the computer — and that's common — you're probably getting better service if they're prepared to drive it in search of the fault instead of waiting for it to break down