Commodore Transmission issues

[bobthebilda]

Come across the following article just cruising the net (and hadn't seen it before) -

http://www.news.com.au/technology/au...-1226452029532

HUNDREDS of late-model Holden Commodore owners have been hit by an automatic transmission problem that has exhausted supplies of replacements in Australia.
The torque converter in some 2012 Commodores is prone to a problem that leads to shuddering and requires a replacement.
More than 500 cars are believed to have been affected, although GM Holden says it is unable to supply exact numbers or any other detail.
It refuses to name the supplier of the part or even whether the torque convertor is made in Australia or overseas.
“We have a complete lock-down on details of suppliers,”' says Holden spokesman, Craig Cheetham.
Holden says the problem is restricted to a "very limited'' number of 2012 VE Commodores fitted with a 3.0-litre V6 engine. Some form of contamination in the torque convertor can lead to the shuddering.
The problem exhausted spare parts' stocks and some owners have had their entire transmission replaced to get them back on the road, although others have been quoted a delay in repair times of up to six months.
Holden says it has now re-established supplies and claims there are no delays.
But, because it is not a potential safety problem, it will not be mounting a recall program.

.

Its odd that a major issue like this doesn't amount to a recall because its not a safety issue. Surely if they dont recall, then Holden should at the very least have to notify all owners that there is a potential of transmission fault. If its kept quiet, hows an owner to know that Holden may have contributed to the issue (whether it be in or out of warranty). Its not like everything fails according to some sort of predetermined plan.

[Kryton]

Awesome when its out of warranty.
And people wonder why the public is turning away from Aussie built rubbish.

[smoo]

Originally Posted by davway

Awesome when its out of warranty.
And people wonder why the public is turning away from Aussie built rubbish.

Funny you should say that, the old man works at a Hyundai and Holden dealer and the turbo diesels and 6spd auto Hyundais are keeping them very busy.
As for out of warranty with all this late model crap getting around with twin clutch self shifting gear boxes, electric everything, high pressure high strung fueling systems, twin charging etc an Aussie Commodore or Falcon will be the ONLY cars I'd rely on out of warranty.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by bobthebilda

Come across the following article just cruising the net (and hadn't seen it before) -

http://www.news.com.au/technology/au...-1226452029532

.

Its odd that a major issue like this doesn't amount to a recall because its not a safety issue. Surely if they dont recall, then Holden should at the very least have to notify all owners that there is a potential of transmission fault. If its kept quiet, hows an owner to know that Holden may have contributed to the issue (whether it be in or out of warranty). Its not like everything fails according to some sort of predetermined plan.

They do, it's similar to a Technical Service bulletin where owners are contacted and asked
to bring their vehicles in for an inspection to rectify potential fault in the transmission.

It's not a recall as there is no real danger if the part fails but most good companies are proactive..

[SPArKy_Dave]

If they won't name the supplier, it's probably no-one good.

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by SPArKy_Dave

If they won't name the supplier, it's probably no-one good.

Its a GM built box, so you'd have to assume the convertor is from GM too.

You're right about the supplier being no one good.

Probably explains why they won't release the details of said supplier, don't want the embarrasment.

[SpoolMan]

My older brother purchased a brand new Commodore 6cyl wagon in 2009 the trans completely locked up whist driving car was 6 months old, new trans under warranty then he sold it..

[GreenMachine]

Our work commodores all seem to need gearboxes at about the 80,000k mark, not at all surprised to read this. Might have something to do with how people drive them though...

[fgpsi]

Holden's auto's are pathetic. Always have been.

Before I had my FG I had a VY SS and the auto went on me at 80,000😂.

My mate has a VE SS and it went on him at 60,000. Gimme the ZF anyday.

[RASER]

If your good boys i will post photos of what happens to a Dunnydore when the tranny plays up, it starts to smoke and then the car catches fire, i watched it all unfold driving on the West Gate Bridge a few years ago

[tapeworm]

dads VU 4speed died at 117km which i thought was pretty soft at the time. This era GM auto box is incredibly primative to drive as well, it's so easily confused..

[Ford_The_Win]

Originally Posted by tapeworm

dads VU 4speed died at 117km which i thought was pretty soft at the time. This era GM auto box is incredibly primative to drive as well, it's so easily confused..

Agreed... a broken BTR 4 speed still drives better than a healthy 4L60E.. I had a VR, thought the transmission was stuffed so put another one in, nothing changed

[prydey]

anyone upgrading from a vn/vr/vs etc wouldn't notice anything different. vibrations are the norm.

[Hulsty]

Those vibrations arent transmission related, they suffered virabrations due to the rear end.

[SPArKy_Dave]

Originally Posted by Ford_The_Win

Agreed... a broken BTR 4 speed still drives better than a healthy 4L60E.. I had a VR, thought the transmission was stuffed so put another one in, nothing changed

Well in our family, we've got both good and broken BTR's and a 'working' 4L60E, in a VS V8 Commodore ute.

The BTR in my XH, which currently only has 1st and 3rd (and reverse), is as slow to engage, as the commodore is normally.

When going from R, to D, in the holden, I have to remember to pause for it to change, or the box cries out in pain.

I'm so used to going from R to D, in BTR's and then planting my foot pretty much straight away.

Heck, the some of my BTR's even chirped the tyres, on gear changes.
(probably stuffed S5 thou)

All in all, I prefer the BTR's gear changes, and general behaviour, over a 4L60E.