Holden Vectra Gearbox & Transmission Problems

I’d love to know what a “certain distance” is. That would give me a much better chance of offering a sensible answer. If we’re talking 100km before the car loses drive, I’d be thinking that it’s something electrical perhaps or something to do with the on-board computer.

But if the loss of drive happens within the first 10 kilometres or so of each drive, then I’d be suspecting the transmission itself. Have you checked the level of the transmission fluid? Too much or not enough fluid in the gearbox can cause it to run hot enough to lose drive. Perhaps it’s the transmission cooler not behaving properly and maintaining things at the correct temperature.

Automatic gearboxes hate high temperatures and if you continue to drive it like this, there’s a good chance you’ll cook something.

There’s no way of checking it easily. Take it to an automatic transmission specialist who will be able to check the transmission and diagnose the problem.

It sounds like it's not running as it should, and is perhaps in need of a tune-up.

It’s generally the industry practice of paying for part of the cost of repairs like yours once the new car warranty has expired. They also generally like to have control of the work being done when they’re paying even part of the freight. That said the $1000 they’ve offered does seem a bit miserable. I’m guessing all of this is being done through a dealer, if that’s correct you could take your case directly to Holden through its customer assistance service.