Holden Problems

If you have been servicing your car regularly, changing the oil and oil filter, you shouldn't have too much sludge to deal with and I would use one of the additives available for the purpose at your local automotive store. Change the oil and filter at the same time as you put the additive in, then change the oil and filter again after a week or so of driving.

The starting price of the CX-3 is cheaper than its rivals at $19,990, so it should not be as expensive as you think. Of your other three, the S-Cross is boring but the only one I would remotely recommend.

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.

If you're looking for an SUV there are better buys. The Adventra was a heavy vehicle, which translated into high fuel consumption, particularly with the V8. It was competent off-road and would go places you wouldn't expect it to, but you don't want to buy one that has been used off-road extensively. A diesel-powered mid-sized Japanese off-roader would be a better option if you want an SUV.

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.

If it has come on and stayed on it means you should get it checked, it could be a number of things that caused it, and you need to have it checked by a mechanic to determine the exact cause. If there isn't any obvious change in the way the car drives there's probably not much to be concerned about, but it the car isn't running the way it was, and the light is still on get it checked.

The Barina was only rated at 2-stars by the safety testing authority ANCAP. Holden upgraded the safety equipment in the Barina in 2008 and ANCAP raised it to a 4-star car. As you're thinking of buying for your daughter I would recommend you buy a 2008 or later model.

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. 

There was a problem with the torque converters in some 2012 Commodores that led to shuddering. It is possible that your car is affected. It is a pity you didn't act on it earlier when you first observed the shuddering, but it's not too late to do it now. Go back to the Holden dealer and ask him to make a request to Holden to fix it. If you get no satisfaction with the dealer go directly to Holden and make the request yourself.