Faults:
Blew head gasket at 285,000.
Blew water pump at 290,000.
Holed both mufflers 295,000.
Catalytic converter at 295,000.
Door rubbers on drivers and passenger side falling off.
Front LH speaker blown.
Lost 3 passengers side wiper arms due to snapping.
Oil sensor at 295,000.
Map sensor at 295,000.
Lost idler pulley on motorway.
Fuel filter blocked at 300,000.
Oxygen sensor at 301,000.
Another head gasket at 310,000.
Brake light sensor under brake pedal failed on the motorway at night.
Consistently blown head lamp and tail lamp bulbs.
2 clutches during ownership.
Timing chain constantly rattles.
Most dash gauges fail on start up, and you have to hit the dash to get them going.
Head lights come on, dash lights come on and brake lights come on when you hit the brakes, with the lights off!!!
Fuse box cover over pedals falls down during driving due to poor manufacture of retaining clips.
No sound insulation, very noisy in car when driving.
Power steering pump was very noisy until it blew, easily replaced.
Clips retaining visors broke off.
Automatic boot latch fails intermittently.
Air con switches off in hot conditions, and yes it was re-gassed recently.
Indicator arm holder came away from dash.
General Comments:
Bought the car in 01 for 5,500 with 121,000 k's on it. It is a five speed manual, with fe2 suspension and it goes like a rocket. Although I have had a lot go pear shaped with the car, I have enjoyed owning it every minute I have had it. It never broke down in the middle of the motorway. When it did, I could always get to a servo to repair it.
I blew an idler pulley on the Bruce Highway with only the bearing left after the pulley disintegrated. I pulled over and saw there was about 10 mm of drive belt left, so I drove at 80kph until I got to a servo. Had it fixed and back on the road in about an hour.
The car is a very cheap make. As Holden had the deal with Toyota to make lexens after Nissan made the VL engine for them, they must have got the short straw.
The VN Commodore is the worst built Australian car ever to hit the road.
It is the most stolen car in three states, and can be hot-wired in about five seconds.
Reliability wise, it never let me down. I drove from Wagga to Melbourne at least 20 times, Wagga to Brisbane 5 times, and Brisbane to Tasmania twice.
I've put over 200,000 k's on this car, and yes I have had some issues, but I couldn't resist buying another one.
I just hope the VZ doesn't go down the same road.
25th May 2006, 23:59
Very informed and helpful review that gives a balanced view of the VN Commodore.
-Thanks!