2006 Holden VE Commodore Omega Warranty Complaint
September 6, 2007 by Alborz Fallah
2006 Holden VE Commodore Omega Warranty Complaint
Name: GARY VANAGS
Car Make: Holden
Car Model: Commodore Omega
Year of Manufacture: 2006
Warranty Complaint:
Had to have battery replaced due to battery failure, my car was only idle overnight and i had no indication until getting into the car to start up. It was also a difficult job to remove the battery as 2 panels and boot mat had to be removed.
I have had on 5 times failure of dashboard electrics eg, ac switch,radio dash lights. I have had many commodores over the years and this car reminds me of the poor quality of the vn commodore from 1989.
Local dealer Newcastle City Holden while courtious with their customer service are not interested in getting poor feedback about this car. I know I will be looking at other makes when next sourcing a new car.
Print it: 
Easy answer “DO NOT BUY HOLDENWOO” then you won’t have these problem’s, the rebadged daewoo might of been a better choice like the Epic a disaster….
Geepers whats that noise… that is Holden taking on the World not remembering obsessed quality and the beancounters screaming at management. HOLDEN MEANS A GREAT DEAL TO ITSELF!
dont under estemate this vechicle it has huge potential, whilst there are nemerious issies with several items holden are 100% commited to fixing and improving them, on the road to be a good reliable car.( im not bias they drive me insane cause i gotta correct the issues and i love toyota’s) people should reserach before they comment, fair enough they spent 1billion on development and we as a consumer see these issue’s doesnt look good. but for the first ever holden 100% built designed and enginereed here its not a bad effort, yeah buy another vechicle thats imported and no problems, but there in most cases have been in there own country a fair time before we see them, and by that time known issues are generally corrected in production hence “no problem car to consumer over here”. lets give holden a go. just about all known issues have been corrected in the field with revised componets working well. but unfortunately it was an inconvience to the consumer for us to correct these problems hense all this negativity. ve series 2 fingers crossed no issues!
Try dissconecting the battery over night and see what happens
Hey “Holden Dealer Tech” how much research must I do, to know the VE sounds like a truck,rides like a billy-cart and was designed by a blind apprentice?
Cheers
I hope Holden Dealer Tech fixes Holdens better than he spells…
I purchased a Calais V series V8 and took delivery in August 07. The car was manufactured in Jan 07. Since then the car has been in for numerious warranty repairs to the rear suspension and front suspensions. The rear ones are resolved after 3 attempts. The front is ongoing. However the major issue I have is the non matching bumper bar paintwork to the rest of the car and the rust all over the car. The manifolds are so rusted it is hard to believe they are less than a year old. There is also considerable rust under both front seats. Every door hinge has rust appearing and all the internal screws has evidence of oxidisation. Holden Rep will be viewing the car again as I have taken the matter to the OFT to sort out. Mind you the dealer agrees with all the issues however Holden says it is within TOLERANCE. I guess the billion dollar investment on a lemon is also within tolearnce.
These cars and the models before them do so much testing both at Lang Lang and various places throughout Australia-how the hell do these problems keep coming back to haunt buyers?. And what will the new Falcon present buyers with?
How do Jap cars get it right the majority of time?
Firstly let me say the VE Commodore is not a bad car, but the two I’ve had (both SV6 models) have problems that just shouldn’t happen with new releases post 2000. Holden claim they did millions of kilometers in testing, well, they need to do a few more in my book and treat their customers with some respect and value. For the record here’s the fault I’ve had with my VE’s:
2006 model; faulty sound system (replaced speaker harness), Squeaking engine V belt (not fixed), intermittent dash vibration (not fixed).
2007 model; Rear suspension does good impression of a pogo stick! shocks replaced no better, now it clunks on sharp undulations especially on rebound.
The VE is nice to drive but all the issues detract from this, I don’t think I’ll get another!
The new Ford will out-class and kick the billion dollar non-quality VE into dust, Holdenwoo wheels magazine won’t have to give the Falcon any awards cause the new Falcon will win the more important accolades it will deserve over the next few years, who cares which company sells the most, in the end people will wake up to FORD equals better products.
Just have a little test drive instead of racing straight off to (dad forced me to buy) Holden dearlerships, try a Ford you will be impressed gauranteed eg. more comfort & realiable for a start and that is fact the list goes on and is very long….
Interesting reading. For the record my 2006 “V” series (alloys -spoiler) Omega has similar issues:
Faulty radio – Waiting for replacement.
Air-conditioning fan doesn’t work when the cars hot inside!
Dashboard lights have a life of their own.
ABS & Traction control warning bells and lights come on for no reason (a bit scary that one).
Main engine warning light permanently on – I’m told its a wiring harness issue with early models.
Engine pre-ignition (pinging) under light loads – waiting on Holden Factory feedback.
I am still awaiting a call to get the above fixed after the 15,000 service over two weeks ago.
Whilst complaining, two other fundamental issues:
1/. Steering Wheel rim is now too skinny and oval shaped – I find this a personal RSI type problem on longer drives.
2/. The main instrument lights need to be on permanently – Cannot read the speedo on a bright day and rely totaly on the Digital Speedo setting.
Luckily for Holden, mine is a company car, and bear in mind the series 1 BA Falcon had far more issues.
Holden VE Lumina. Built 11/07. I purchased it 3 weeks later.
It’s just been in for its first 3 month service (2000K’s).
*VE Recall (fixed).
*Windscreen Washer unable to be refilled after first use (known VE defect / now fixed).
*Handbrake not holding (fixed).
*Windscreen Wipers blades not working properly (replaced).
*Top of engine cover stained, water damaged & corroded upon delivery (now awaiting appproval from Holden for Dealer to replace).
*Rust coming out from behind the Holden badge on the alloy wheels during wet wether (attended to).
*Bad rear Window Tint application (to be replaced).
*Front bumper bar very loose (will not be fixed – within tolearnce).
*Both Front & rear bumper bars are noticeably different in colour to rest the vehicle (will not be fixed – within tolearnce).
*Transmission is loud & noisy (will not be fixed – comes standard).
*Transmission will not hold even on the slightest incline (will not be fixed – comes standard).
Comment:
My VE Lumina’s steering is terrible & I’ve spent $110 on wheel alignments in an effert to resolve this to no avail, a few days later it’s exactly the same.
Like the comment above mine, you can’t see anything apart from the electronic speedo in daylight on the instrument panel / dashboard, so you have to drive with the lights permanantly on.
I don’t know where the Billion Dollars went, but I DO know, it did not go into the development & production of a good quality motor vehicle!
Holden will never learn until it’s too late and they are out of business.
Do the rear boot wells still fill with water after a shower?
In reply to Mark
I have a VE Omega purchased Jan08 and a lot of your problems are the same as I have,1. recall for fuel line the day I took delivery, 2. window washer this was broken when I took delivery, 3. hand brake 10 days after purchase have been waiting 6 weeks for part and looks like another 2 at least, 4.top of engine cover water damaged and corroded this also was delivered to me like that 5. when starting engine various lights flash different ones each time I have had ABS fault, air bag, and battery.It is very noisy and also difficult to see dash controls especially speed.
Have contacted Holden 4 times but no reply, I guess they have so many complaints that they haven’t got to mine yet
Faulty radio – Waiting for replacement.
Air-conditioning fan doesn’t work when the cars hot inside!
Dashboard lights have a life of their own.
ABS & Traction control warning bells and lights come on for no reason (a bit scary that one).
Main engine warning light permanently on – I’m told its a wiring harness issue with early models.
Engine pre-ignition (pinging) under light loads – waiting on Holden Factory feedback.
This is copied from Andrew, same faults in my work car exactley, glue the center speaker plate to stop the rattle. Holden still say the knock sensors are doing the job, but in reality the valves on the right side of the engine sound like they want to exit as pinging is endless under light light, beyond a joke now, will selfdestruct soon im sure.
Reading the recent replys, reminded me of my new Holden Purchase which was a lovely car, until it left the service department of SMITHS (a Holden Dealer at Port Adelaide) with water in the oil. Car now always smokes on cold start. HOLDEN did not care either!
Andrew and Michael.. have been having HUGE issues with my VE Omega re the pre-ignition under load in top gear, and no fixes from Holden at all.. has been going on for over a year now and have had more than enough of the piece of junk. Anyone else having this issue as every one of the Omega’s and Berlina’s I have driven (would be at least 10 of them now) have the same issue to varying degrees? Can’t get them to even look at it being an electrical issue.. have had almost every mechanical component in mine replaced except for the engine to date… and not one thing has made a single bit of difference other than making the problem worse!!
HELP!! if anyone else noticing this problem could you let me know as I keep getting told no one else has complained which I’m not believing!!
Ray, its totally frustrating I know, mine pings through all the gears between 1600 rpm – 2000+ rpm. Its going to fail eventualy, holden is like a broken record and is complete denial that anything is wrong. Are they deaf? The truth is they dont care. We are stuck with buckets of junk untill enough of us dump our VE’s on their doorstep and refuse to take them back untill fixed. I am running E10 unleaded now and it has reduced the pinging, which goes against logic because a higher octane fuel normally reduces pinging. The knock sensors on the motor must be just christmas tree decorations. I feel for ya mate, perhaps ford would have better service, it would be, we have no service or resolve at holden.
Ray, should we bring on board ‘A current affair’ or another consumer watch dog, I think we should.
Hi guys having a read of the work you guys/girls have put in I must say are all these petrol VE,s? I would guess so I have an LPG Ve Omega and no Problems at all no signs of pinging or any other faults eg transmission I dont know if its due to the gas system but car is 2006 and now done 120,000k,s runs well probably better on gas than fuel.
Im due to replace this soon with a ve 60th anniversary Dual fuel omega and Im pretty sure all will be good there aswell. there may be problems but i thought there would be more probnlems with a HOLDEN HSV installed direct injection gas system.
Hi again guys
Yup.. VERY frustrating.. being told that I’m the only one complaing (and I know I’m not) and don’t know what I’m talking about..am being totally unreasonable ..blah blah blah…
If mine was the only one causing grief I’d be a little more understanding…but it isn’t the only one!!
Has anyone out there let a non-holden affiliated mechanic have a play with one of these and come back with an answer to what it actually is that is causing this problem? Mine still under warranty for another 15k so been going thru Holden dealer network to this point (local francise has been AWESOME I should point out by the way.. techs there are caught in the middle, can’t speak highly enough of them). Anyone strapped one of these dogs to a rolling road dyno??
Hi Mark …yes, it is a petrol version
The SV6’s don’t have thgis issue at all apparently by the way… issiue limited to Omega/Berlina… the plot thickens!!
Just a question, those with faulty radios, what was the problem? I had really bad reception in my brand new VE SV6 and they found that the plug had been removed and was replaced by a piece of wire that had been soldered into place (dodgy). I havent touched the radio at all so it obviously came like that. Also is anybody having the problem with premature wear on the rear tyres? i got around 25k out of mine and they were almost bald. They’ve said that the wheel alignment is within spec and all is fine, it must be how i drive. I took it elsewhere and they said that the wheel alignment was way out. Just wondering if anybody has had the same problem and what they have done about it.
Had my Omega now from Aug 06.Sorry for all your ‘PROBLEMS’,but I have not had one. 40ks & going strong.First Holden, had Crapy Fords b/4,never again.
G’day all
my 06 SS had to have the harmonic balancer , water bottle replaced. Now the hand brake won’t release at times.
Assuming it’s the same fault as the other hand brake probs,anyone know what it was?
Hi I am thinking of buying a 60th annaversary ve omega or a SV6. Do this years VE’s have the same problems as the earlier models or have they been fixed.
Thanks.
i have an sv6 and it has all the problems mentiond here as well as a loud whine an rumble in the aircon,dealer says its normal.most dissapointing holden i have ever owned.heated rear window doesnt work.
I know what you are talking about, we have the 2006 VE Omega and it has been in for break down services now 18 times and only 37,000 on the clock. Had the following
1. Hand brake issue
2. Stereo discharging battery
3. Battery discharging battery
4. Software updates to fix constant leeching of power
5. Washer bottle leak
6. Lousy rear wheel camber and alignment
7. Car constantly switches ABS and Traction control on and off at will
8. Holden dealer flushed radiator and didn’t fill it up again..idiots.
All in all the VE has turned into the biggest lump of junk i have ever owned and has turned me off ever buying another holden again. I also own a VZ SSZ and have never had a day of grief…too bad it was the last of a good thing.
If you bring on a current un-fair they will do what they do with every story workout whose side they are on and go all out to make the other side to be un inconsiderate a-hole or just simply blow the whole thing out of proportion..
Because as I said on another topic on this site.. modern cars do have a number of porblems whcih when you consider the overall number of cars sold only affect a small percentage of vehicles..
Just like the ANCrAP tests; they only use 5 cars of a particular model despite the fact that over 100,000 corllas or commodores maybe sold.
They then extrapolate or manipulate the result to make it as though every car of that particular model has the same chance of surviving an accident.
So in relation to mechanical problems or reliability just because a couple of Commodores have a mechanical problem doesn’t necessarily mean every Commodore will have the exact same problem
Ther reason Holden reacall so many cars is they go off their production records thereby giving a greater chance of them rectifying chance of the cars made witrhin a particular period being returned inorder to rectify the problem
Although I am not trying to defend Holden.. as I said all modern cars have problems now and again some more major than others given the number of componetns etc they have..
What would you rather – to be driving a VE which has faulty brakes for example and not know about it until you hit the brakes whilst going down a steep hill because Holden didn’t make an announcement or
for Holden to make the announcement that your car may be affected so that you can take it into a dealer to inspect the car – fix it thereby giving you piece of mind and security that your car is okay?
Forewarned is Forarmed – its best to know what may happen so you can prepare for it rather than wait until you get a nasty surprise at the last minute
If Holden actually made every single piece of every individual component of every car they assemble here in Australia you would be able to be annoyed about the recall.
But are you willing to pay $60-80K for a Commodore”
It’s roughly the price you could expect to pay if everything was done in-house from go to whoah by Holden
Holden know that people are only willing to pay and can afford around $30-40k for a commodore and therefore look for suppliers that can supply them with the parts they need on the scale they require for a set price inorder to keep the sale price of the car competitive.
Holden [and Ford] would love to source more parts from Australia but the sad thing is there aren’t that many local suppliers in Australia that can cope with the huge number of parts Holden need which meet their standards and so they are forced to go overseas
Unfortuantely over the years a number of Holden recalls have involved locally made parts but now come from Overseas
And that’s the main point – the parts are made by external parts suppliers NOT Holden. Holden have no control over their production processes or quality control etc.
Spam word holden, had to say something……..
Wheelnut,
that can be true for say if a bolt sheered its head or a dodgy hose or belt broke,
but a lot of the VE problems arent attributed to that.
The LPG service valve Recall could be blamed on supplier problem,
but the seemingly endless electrical gremlins are another thing.
also things like dodgy/flimsy plastic parts are the manufacturers fault as they design the actual part with the material type to their specs
To Wheelnut..Rubbish..Holden have quality checks on their drawings and if a manufacturer makes a component to spec to a drawing and it is crap then Holden are at fault!!..Faulty parts out of spec are automatically rejected by Holden.
^^^^^^^^^Not always Redlaser!
[Example] I have a VT Holden Commodore and the black paint on wiper blades have deteriated away at the bottom. The same with other VT Commodores. It’s not Holden’s fault really it’s the Wiper Blade company Holden get them from. It’s their fault/problem.
just wondering how long gas in air con system should last in 07 sv6 completed about 50,000kms
hi i have a s pac vt commodore and all the lights in the dash keep on blowing and the light are $8.95 each and i need 11 of them my old ea falcon gos better a lot smover on the road evry think in it works good not a problem. but the commodore giving me the shits the engine electronics light comes on evry now and then its macking the gear box runs ruff .and water gos in the boot but i fix that and the rubbers on the window r shit on them to the rubbers r better on a falcon thay don’t crack like the vts.
Why do people call a Commodore S “S pack”?
I don’t own a VW Golf Tdi Pack.
Golfschwein, earlier commodore models were refered to as an s pack. and the name has stuck. it used to refer to a “sports pack” of sorts, usually including alloys wheels, spoiler, etc
No. There has only ever been a Commodore S, first listed in the VP range, as far as I can see. Moving along, Holden’s double-page ads in WHEELS for the VR range made mention of your choice between S and SS.
You’re absolutely right that they might have been REFERRED to as an S pack, but it seems never to have been correct. That’s why I wonder that people do it.
HMM – it’s good to know that my VE experience is not unique. I have a VE 60th Anniversary SportsWagon – The problems started with the dreaded “check engine” notice on the electronic display – yep I checked it – the engine is still there. Took it to a dealer in Canberra – just reset the computer – “should be good now !”
Then a couple of days ago, got in the morning turned the key – it says “system check OK” well why wont it start ? The engine will not crank at all !
Got it to the local dealer, McGrath Sutherland – “Geez, Sorry mate, we’re all booked out, you can leave it here, & we should be able to get to it by next week”
So I guess I have to make a booking when my car will breakdown !!
They’ve had the car for 2 days “spent 8 hours on the car” but the highly trained and dedicated technicians still can’t tell me what’s wrong with the car, much less tell me when I’ll get it back . . Stay tuned !!
This is my first Holden and unfortunately it’s the VE 60th Anniversary. Within the first week the engine produced low resonance rumbling and exhaust rattling at around 900 rpm. Took it back to the dealer 3 times to get the rattling fix but rumbling still remains. It gets really loud when using air-cond or driving up-hill slow (driveway) and keep your RPM at 900. I was told by the Holden tech that they all do that (rumbling). Another minor problem just discovered recently is the air vents. They flip up automatically when using the heater – cheap plastic contraction. It’s unbelievable that such problems still exist for a modern car. One other thing, it’s very noisy. How did they manage to win the 2006 car of the year award? Where did the $1 billion go? To the judges? If you have similar problems please post.
I bought an SV6 on easter weekend and picked it up 1 week ago after Holden stuffed me around with delivery dates getting pushed out further and further. I have now done 500ks and the thing has a pinging problem from the day i drove it away from the dealer. I am taking it back to the dealer for them to look at it this wednesday. Very disappointing….the car looks great and handles well but the engine is very disappointing and actually pretty bloddy sluggish for an engine claiming to have 195 kws. The only other car i had with a pinging problem was an 88 toyota celica after it had done 220 000 ks and then shortly after blew the head gasket. We’ll see what happens
Hi I recently bought a 4/09 international sportwagon which has many paint issues and have been trying to sort it out with Holden for 4 months now,they say leave it with us and we will fix it but I didnt pay $37000.00 for some panel shop to pull it apart and repaint whats required it then becomes used not new.I have been to a lot of showrooms and just about every locally made Holden has paint issues and if they fix them before you see them is your new holden now not new panel shops cannot replicate the paint work.
Has anyone else had paint issues?
I also bought a 4/09 Commodore International. From day one it has had front end issues veering left and right on various roads, the dealer says it is the 18′ wheel tyre combination,the front end has been aligned twice to no avail. I contacted Holden who replaced strut bushes and said all was factory spec. The problem still remains, is it the suspension, tyres, or wheels ??? any ideas.
Why do people keep buying such a lemon? I simply cannot understand…
OK im a 28 year old femaile and even i know no matter what car u buy u never buy the first year model of it unless u want to be in warranty evey few months so dont be stilly and blame the holden no matter what car u buy the first seres are all the same.