Holden Cruze 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.

Sometimes new engines use oil because the rings are not properly bedded in, but yours is two years old and that shouldn't be a problem. What's normal? My car, I won't say the brand, doesn't use any oil between oil changes. If I saw it was using, even a small amount, I would suspect something is wrong. Other brands use oil as a matter of course. I wouldn't like to see any more than 250 ml used per 1000 km. If it does take it to your dealer and check it; if it doesn't keep a close eye on it.

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.

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.

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.

Go back to Holden and attempt to convince them that they should replace the transmission free of charge. They sold you a transmission that is faulty and in my view they should replace it without charge. If the Customer Care people refuse your request, go to the CEO of the company, it has worked for other owners with this problem.

Update 17/7/2015: 

Ms Alyaseri has informed us that after contacting Holden boss Mark Bernhard directly, Holden has agreed to cover the cost of a new transmission. 

You have a very strong case to argue that Holden should repair your car at its expense, but you need to have it assessed by a Holden dealer to determine if that is the problem. Holden won’t repay you the cost of having it repaired by your mechanic. It’s important that you take it to a Holden dealer.

NOTE: We contacted Holden asking for a response, which is still coming. Nina Kaur hopes Holden might still come to the party and help with the repairs on her car.

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: Nina Kaur went ahead and had her Cruze's transmission repaired before approaching Holden. Her mechanic blames a broken wave spring in the 3-5-Reverse clutch, which led to extensive damage to the transmission. Nina has handed the report and the invoice for repairs totaling $4972.00 to Holden with a request for compensation.

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.

UPDATE2: (24/6/2015) Holden has now agreed to reimburse Ms Kaur for the full cost of repairs, despite the work being undertaken by a third-party mechanic. 

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.