2000 Holden Vectra JS II CD from Australia and New Zealand - Comments

I have just bought a Holden Vectra CD 2.2 99 model the Cruise Control has just failed and no CC light comes on the dash anymore, does anyone know which fuse it is or have any tips on where the fault may be, cheers Don.

I am in the process of trading in my 2000 Holden Vectra JS II CD and very much looking forward to disposing it once and for all... Seems like a consistent problems with the car stalling at indifferent periods and well as the numerous issues with the alternator, I think I'm upto my third or fourth problem with that. Like most others, also had problems with the trip computer where the car just stalled when braking which is not ideal on major intersections! Thankfully my autoelectrician reset the computer and it removed the glitch... I will never consider buying a Holden again, what an absolute disgraceful automobile. Not to mention that when I first took the car to Holden, the sales rep explicitally put in writing that the car had a cracked water pump which I, my original dealer and a Midas outlet knew was a blantant lie..

Adam.

I bought my 98 2ltr cd holden vectra 1 year ago and have had nothing but problems with it. I also had to replace my heater tap $120 and radiator hose ($350 for part $200 to install) which had been rubbing on something and a hole was burnt in it.

Next to go was the coil pack and spark plugs because oil was leaking into 2 and 4 of my spark plugs.

Now my car is running really rough in reverse and and in idle and also jerks when going up hills and driving around 80k.

Can anyone please tell me what this might be please?

I have a 2001 JS-II 2.6L V6 manual hatch which has been a delightful car to drive and quite trouble-free (now 90,000km) but I have recently been faced with removing the alternator for repair (VERY noisy bearing) after the dealership reneged on the Extended Warranty. If anyone has PERSONAL experience of removing the alternator from a 2.6L v6, please share! I've gotten as far as removing the drive-shaft...

I ordered a workshop manual through Amazon online, but it never arrived and I have just demanded a refund. Now desperate, so may have to source one locally.

I just purchased a 2000 JS Olympic Vectra sedan from a dealer. Had it only two days and noticed the steering was getting heavier as car warmed up, also a rather annoying screeching sound from the steering as I turned corners.

My dealer sent it to Holden, they had it the entire day (so I missed a day of work with no pay.) They said they could not fault it, ha! As soon as I got in it, the noise was there, don't know how they could not hear it. I then noticed they had left the molding cover off the end of steering column near brake pedal, my dealer then rang them and they said they didn't touch it. At least now my dealer can see what they are like.

Not satisfied with Holden's verdict on this, I took it to an independent mechanic who told me the seals had gone in steering, and to have them lubricated, so I took it back to dealer, and it turns out that the 2000 Olympic has a REBUILD on the steering rack (why not a RECALL?) from Holden.

My Vectra also has brake shudder and the shocks may need to be replaced. Car has only done 67,000 km. Same old story, had a Daewoo Espero before that was just as bad, probably because it had a Holden motor. Never again Holden.

I purchased a 1999 2.6 V6 hatch made in Belgium at the Opal Factory a year ago with a 3 year warranty, of course with plenty of exclusions. Had 62,000 klm on the clock at purchase now reading 77,000 klm. Repairs? One radiator and hoses; bushes on the steering. Otherwise it is a joy to drive and having it serviced at a Mazda dealer from where I purchased the car has been a pleasure. I have to say though that next time no Holden; perhaps a Mitsubishi or Mazda.

I feel that I may receive another 70,000 klm before disposing of the Vectra.

Cheers Max.

I also have a 2000 2.2L CD Vectra, and I agree totally with everyone who says how much of a piece of rubbish it is.

It's very comfortable to drive, don't get me wrong, but I bought the car in 2003 ex-lease dealership serviced thinking "I'll splash out get a good car that should cause me no major problems for a few years". I couldn't have been more wrong; I have had problem after problem, and even the bloody key had to be reprogrammed at a horrendous cost.

My tip for anyone. Don't BUY A VECTRA.

I too have had the stalling problems, and just paid $634 to replace the Air Mass Meter, and now have heating problems. Also had to replace the water pump twice in two years, and I am very unhappy with this vehicle, certainly will be selling in the near future.

I so appreciate all the comments mentioned above. We purchased our 1999 JS Series 11 2.5 lit. Vectra at 124,000 km just after it had had $3000 spent at a local Holden dealer for what appeared to be little more than a timing belt change and lots of other small items.

For the past 15,000 km, it has been wonderful and such a pleasure to drive. It did need "drop links" on the front suspension, which is a 15 minute job by an amateur mechanic after picking up from a dealer for about $75 each. A common fault at this age - symptoms being a knocking sound from the front of the car, but only at curtain times and caused by vibration in the suspension. Spark plugs are a bugger to get out without cracking, and a set of leads ($240) solved an intermittent misfire.

Heat now comes out of the heater constantly, but from what I read above this maybe a loose or disconnected vacuum hose to the heater tap.

Anyone reading the complains above needs to remember that maybe the other 95% of people happy with their Vectra's are out enjoying them and maybe only the minority with problems take the time to articulate their concerns. Unfortunately cars are designed today to be a throw away commodity at about 150,000km, so we go and buy new ones. We all face this problem. Feedback like above forums from past punters who have traveled a similar road is so helpful to readers. You, with the information gained can go to you mechanic more knowledgeable and maybe hand him/her a printout of how somebody with a similar problem found a solution. He can't be expected to retain the intimate knowledge of every problem that relates to over 400 different car models. With some research on your side I'm sure you will save yourself a bundle.

Cheers, Brian.

I've been driving a V6 Vectra JS II built in 2000 since purchased in 2001. The car itself is really good; the trouble is the incompetence of Holden Dealerships. I've taken it to the handbook service there ever since I got it every year, and just about every time I had to return it to them to let them have another go after they mucked up; things like not properly fastening things in the engine bay, leaving it greasy and dirty inside, not fixing or properly diagnosing noise issues I raised with them, etc. There was never anything majorly wrong with the car, but the dramas dealing with Holden were extremely offputting. Considering the malaise GM is going through right now, maybe in the process Holden is taking out its misery as well?

I bought a Holden Vectra CD 2000 model and have had nothing but trouble with it. It currently has the ABS and traction control lights on and the speedo has failed. Anyone with the same problems?

Blessed be the OPEL designed Holden 2.5 V6, I purchased mine NEW in 2000. My dream car, traveled all over Australia and it now has over 180000 klms on the clock. In all this time I have learned one good lesson - "DON'T GO TO A HOLDEN DEALER FOR ANY SERVICE OR REPAIRS", "THEY DO NOT HAVE A CLUE OF HOW TO APPROACH ANY PART OF THE SERVICE" One dealer mechanic even asked me where the oil drain plug was situated.

I truly believe there is no better car, and will not be dragged into an argument about silly statements made about the Vectra 2.5 V6. All my past problems are fair wear and tear, due to the mileage of the vehicle. But as to the extraordinary response from Holden service, try this:-

A persistent oil leak from somewhere lower front (power steering oil) 4 visits - no solution. 5th visit, informed that steering rack had gone (where to I asked) Kaput, Solution $1800.00 to supply and replace, Final solution - $42.00 at PEDDERS SUSPENSION - the mechanic tightened up all the LOOSE unions.

Major service, "Timing Belt" $1700.00, there claim was that the alternator pulley bearing and idler bearing had to be replaced, plug leads were defective and replaced, coils show one plug was miss firing and replaced, they had to SMASH the Opel style clips off the air inlets and replaced, with standard hose clips. Brake rotors that should have been assessed at different service intervals had been neglected and now had to be totally replaced with new pads.

I asked for ALL the old parts to be shown as proof of replacement. It was then claimed they had been thrown away.

I wrote a check for $500.00, took the car and said sue me. Never heard any more.

I now set out to service the car myself and the savings are never ending. This is one Holden 2.5 V6 that will be on the road for a long time to come, it is such a pleasure to drive and in 9 years has never broke down or let me down. Most cars have their particular problems, but the only one that I can put claim to with the Vectra, is Holden Service, it simply does not exist.

2000 JSII Vectra CD 2.5L V6.

Bought it used 2 years ago with 119k on the clock, the Holden dealer replaced the timing belt for me before I drove it away as it was under warranty - $0.

Traveled through all of WA with it - from South West up to Coral Coast and back again.. taken to very high speeds with plenty of push left.

I do the minor servicing myself and only take it to a mechanic when it's something I can't do.

Have replaced the alternator ($800) - which when this went, blew my stereo and has affected my cruise control, so what.. wanted a new stereo anyway and don't use cruise control too often. Replaced brakes.. recently had a small oil leak which was deemed to be an incorrect fitting of the oil filter. After having that done, the oil leak remained, I found the problem - a $4.50 seal. And.. some a**e in a 4x4 has dented my passenger door..

Wow.. So many problems down to the car's poor design.. My car is fantastic, and aside from getting something newer and possibly more economical (8.3L/100km) I wouldn't have it any other way.

Sure, there are a few niggles, but I prefer driving my 2000 Vectra to my 2004 Fairmont!

I drive a 2000 Vectra JSII V6 CD. Incompetent Holden Servicing aside, it is a fine car. Went to look around for a new car and there is little around today that comes close in terms of equipment levels, performance, economy at a similar price point (allowing for inflation that would be up to 45k). Obviously, based on the experience with Holden I wouldn't touch another Holden with a bargepole. I've done only 75k on it, so it is with a heavy heart that I'll be trading it in for a new European car in a few months...

I have a 2001 2.2 litre hatchback. Very simple, always follow the log book when servicing. Change the timing belt every 60,000, and it also helps to change the fuel filter every service as well.

Mine is up for it second timing belt when its 120000 service comes up next month. My mechanic advised me to change the water pump (1st time) as well when he does the change, as they tend to go not long after.

Apart from that, the car has never let me down, it still looks great inside and out for a car that's nearly 10 years old, fuel economy is brilliant - especially on the highway. The key is find a good experienced mechanic who knows the car. And like most previous comments. DON'T LET HOLDEN SERVICE IT!!!