2002 Holden Astra Reviews

Rear discs scored at 25K.

Front scored at 35K.

Thermostat failed at 30K.

Did timing belt early. Found sensor with no insulation, avoided near catastrophic motor failure at 50K.

Ignition switch failed at 55K and again at 90K...

Air conditioning clutch solenoid failed at 60K, and again at 100K.

Seat belt tensioner (rear) failed at 80K.

Clutch at 70K.

Spark pack failed at 90K.

Throttle body sticky at 100K.

Drives and handles beautifully. Good compact size.

A little hesitant to accelerate hard from start, but OK.

Interior has hung together well, comfortable.

Body solid. Paint good. Good boot space.

Air conditioning not adequately cold, underpowered for Aus.

We have manual window winders, which make cup holders near useless, but perhaps we are fortunate (hearing of electric window issues).

Very awkward to do a simple oil filter change.

Reliability, and especially the brake issues, are an absolute disgrace for Opel and Holden engineers. I resolved this early with after market components at my cost within warranty. This could have been a good car with a bit more attention to engineering detail and quality parts.

My 97 Camry has had less failures in its 15 years, than the Astra did in the first 6 months. There is a lesson here somewhere.

The car was maintained and faultless for 9 years. Eventual problem was, it was difficult for mechanics to find an electrical fault. The car would start, then unexpectedly, would shudder violently, lose power steering, had no power, seemed to affect the brakes, could not get up any speed at all. Extremely dangerous.

Called NRMA and had it taken to nearest approved mechanic. He diagnosed (on a diagnostic machine) 'clearly the alternator'. I told him I had been told by a Holden service centre that it was the computer going, but he was definite it was the alternator. After a repair of $680.00, I drove the car home. Next day, just on the freeway, the exact same thing happened. Rang him and he said, "Oh it was definitely the alternator" & didn't want to know me. Couldn't drive the car, didn't want to take it back to someone who couldn't fix it to last even for one day, so after approaching the mechanic who said he could fix it, but it would be another problem in addition to the original, I had no choice and sold it for next to nothing. I have been told the electrics are hard to diagnose. Why?