29th Apr 2013, 02:40

All I can say about the Holden Astra (having owned one for 9 years) is this: Do NOT even consider buying one, they are the worst car I have ever owned. When you have a problem, and trust me you WILL, the only place that is authorized to fix it will be a Holden agent. You will be severely ripped off while you endeavour to fix this car, that should never have seen the light of day.

22nd Jun 2013, 20:46

I own an Astra CD TS. I bought it second hand 5 years ago. Currently done 123000km.

I have it regularly serviced 6 monthly, and that's normally all fine. Had to fix the throttle a few weeks after buying it (still under warranty), and my thermostat recently just failed.

But I find it's all the small things that play up.

Have had to replace my back electric window mechanisms twice.

My roof has badly faded.

My radio turns on full blast - mainly during the colder months.

One of my speakers has blown.

My dash screen has blacked out in most places - can only see the temperature. Can't see the time or radio station.

My Holden logo on the steering wheel has chipped off.

These things are costly to replace, and I don't want to spend another cent on fixing it, as it's not worth it. Looks like it'll be a worthless trade in for me. Won't be buying a Holden again.

27th Jun 2013, 09:17

Check your battery to see if it's leaking acid on the wiring loom. Also get the battery and alternator checked to see if they are any good. I had the same problem with mine; the longer you leave it, the worse it gets.

20th Jun 2014, 04:52

Yeah, my daughter's TS Astra just got diagnosed by a Holden dealer as having a faulty coil pack ($895). They can't check that the computer (ECU?) hasn't been damaged by the faulty coil until a new coil pack has been installed, so we were warned that computer may have to be replaced (additional $1,200). Will probably get non-genuine coil pack and do it myself, hoping the computer is OK. Then will sell it ASAP.

I put in an online complaint to see what Holden will do about it. I expect nothing, but it doesn't hurt to complain.

4th Dec 2014, 10:37

The stalling, I've had problems with too, and have found that it is mostly due to either a faulty air flow meter or an O2 sensor, or a combo of both. You can get cheap parts to replace from eBay, but it won't last long as it's a constant problem throughout all Opels.

7th Dec 2014, 19:34

Same problem with my 2000 model. It was the alternator which charges the battery.

26th Apr 2015, 04:15

I own a Holden Astra 2002 TS. Had no problems till it broke down. I put it into the mechanic's shop, and $1700 later it still isn't going.

New timing belt, water pump, spark plugs, oil filter, new tappet cover gasket, new key barrel, sensor, all parts have been cleaned and replaced.

The car got as far as my house and hasn't started since. Can anyone help me?

Cheers, Anne.

2nd May 2015, 14:35

Hi, my back left electric window unit broke as well. I bought one from Cars Are Us for $50.00 shipped from Brisbane to Perth. I googled how to replace it and did it myself. I found just carefully step by step care of my Opel is going good, but I always search before I buy.

1st Oct 2015, 05:24

I have a 2000 Astra. New radiator, new water pump flushed cleaned. Runs well until stopped; it then heats up pretty bad. Apart from that, not many issues, but I would like to know if this has happened to anyone else by chance...

1st Oct 2015, 19:03

Check the thermostat. Else check to see if you have a head gasket problem.

6th Jan 2016, 16:07

Your mechanic sounds stupid. Water pump. Timing belt etc. To fix a car that won't start? He's taking you for a ride.

29th Jan 2016, 06:59

I have a 2002 Holden Astra Equipe and have had regular servicing by a RACQ and RACT recommended garages. Apart from the usual maintenance and minor replacements expected (spark plugs, disc pads), nothing major. Has driven around in many states and still going well. Mechanics tell me it will go for another ten years, so holding on to it. Perhaps it all depends on where the vehicles were built and where the spares came from. I'm one very happy Astra owner!

23rd Feb 2016, 22:12

Before you read on, check that the hoses to the throttle body are all screw clamped on.

Idle problems are because of sucking too much air. No need to replace the throttle body. Easy do it yourself fix. Code problems to the ECU mean a trip to wreckers or worse, transmission problems (limp mode).

27th Feb 2016, 21:37

I have a coolant leak too (01 Holden Astra).

Massive leak from the Y-shaped tube at the back and bottom of the engine, $160 from Holden only. Now I have a different leak from what I hope is the overfill tank; off to replace that now!

4th Jul 2017, 01:12

My wife has a TS Astra. They require a bit of tinkering.

Idle problems - erratic idle: give the mass flow sensor a go with a spray cleaner - dramatic idle and vacuum problems: make sure the EGR valve is not stuck with carbon deposits (an easy fix).

For leaks, just add a good stop-leaks product - after ensuring hoses etc are OK.

Lastly, make sure you change the cam belt every 60k km and do a full kit at least every second time, including the water pump. Change the spark plugs often - best are NGK BKR5EK.

Spud199@hotmail.com in Tasmania, OZ.

4th Aug 2019, 06:05

I agree, but in a way it's sort of fun diagnosing every sensor and hose and reading comments. If your air con goes, 99% of the time it's the coil pack... 59 Oz dollars off eBay, and you'll need circlip pliers... enjoy the challenge.

4th Aug 2019, 06:12

Yep, good info there. Mine's rough when cold. Still surges... cleaned MAF sensor. Still surges... sprayed carby cleaner around all vacuum hoses; all good there... new coil pack and plugs next.

Tomorrow I'm disconnecting the MAF sensor before going to work and see if it still surges... if it does then the O2 sensors get a tinkering... then timing sensors, crank and cam. If that doesn't work then... new fuel filter... injector cleaner in a tank of 98ULP... LOL.. love this challenge.