Holden Problems

I'm not sure of the date, but I understand the 7.7mm pitch chain was fitted to engines after number HO53340001. That should tell you if your engine was affected.

The system is designed such that the car starts on petrol and automatically switches over the LPG once the engine has warmed up. From your description it would seem that it is not starting on petrol, but trying to start on LPG. I would suggest the cold-start electronics are faulty. I would also suggest that you take it to an IMPCO dealer. IMPCO is the company that designed and developed the system for Holden and they should be able to sort it out. Go to http://www.impco.com.au to find your nearest dealer.

I wouldn't be concerned about it. No doubt parts makers will be under pressure to survive with Holden and Ford stopping local production, but there will be a stock of parts retained by Holden in the medium term at least, and other companies will step into the breach if the current parts suppliers do fall over. With so many Commodores made there will be an on-going demand for replacement parts that will have to be met.

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.

It sounds like they might have got the timing wrong when they installed the new belt. Have them recheck their work, and have them check the crank angle sensor.

I can't imagine what would cause the brakes to lock on without touching the pedal. You could check the front suspension, alignment, wheel bearings etc.

You are doing the right thing in getting it inspected before buying it. If it has been properly and professionally repaired, and passes the inspection I wouldn't be too concerned about it, but at the same time it's not a car I would buy. It will forever be regarded as a write-off that's been repaired, and that will always affect its value.

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. 

On the surface it would seem that there is a problem with the clutch, it could be that the pressure plate has collapsed or something similar. Pulling the gearbox out should enable the mechanics to find the cause of the problem.

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.