Electric windows operating by themselves at 20,000kms.
Battery cable melted to battery at 21,000kms.
Replaced tyres at 40,000 kms.
Car stalling when driving, fault code showing at 35,000kms.
Knocking in steering column when turning at 35,000kms, taken back to dealer, Holden said they tightened bolts now fine.
Knocking not fixed still happening.
Steering collumn replaced at 40,000kms.
Vibration in floor when accelerating checked by holden at 40,000kms, but could not find fault.
Airconditioning leaking onto carpet on drivers side, in hot wheather, at 45,000kms, Holden checked said a drain pipe was blocked.
Airconditioning still leaking 48,000kms.
Brakes needed replacing at 55,000kms censors failed on discs.
Left door seal replaced at 55,000kms.
Blaupunkt cd player blew up 60,000kms had to be replaced.
Timing belt needed to be replaced at 60,000kms (very early for this to occur)
Left door rattles, 62,000kms.
Car stalling again when driving returned to holden, they reset computer and said it should be fine 62,500kms.
Car stalling, agian returned to dealer cam sensor is now faulty, replaced at my expense.
Car now experiencing electrical problems at 67,000kms, dash instruments, including speedo and fuel gauge come on and off, airbag lights, ABS lights all on then off, effecting operation of airconditing and lights.
Returned to Holden, can't locate problem as yet.
I loved my Vectra it was black and sporty looking and had all the mod cons, but I have had many many problems with it and now I just am glad to see the back of it. And I payed a lot of money for it as I thought I was buying a car that would last.
I have a 1998 Vectra CD hatch purchased new from the local dealer, I have also had the steering column replaced and numerous electrical problems (vehicle mileage is 90,000 km) at present the vehicle is at home as it won't start (engine will not turn over) last week I had to get a tilt tray to take it to the local dealer after a similar problem and the loss of the ability to select gears.
A good car, but lots of trouble.
I have been the owner of a Holden Vectra JS 1998 and I have experienced all of the problems that the above review has had, plus timing belt failing at 90K. Bent 11 out of 16 valves. Very expensive to repair.
The Vectra would be a great car if it was only reliable, and didn't cost a fortune to fix.
We have a 2000 Holden Vectra and we loved it to bits until we experienced the car cutting out at intersections or even reversing out of the drive a fault light showed up. we have taken it to a Holden place and they put on a new hose vent... went good for a while then temperature was rising high and car was revving high while at traffic lights etc and started to stall again... took it back they don't now what this problem may be we haven't had the Vectra a year yet... may be we should have kept the Toyota Surf that we miss so much... is there any one out there who has the same problem and has got it fixed? please help, we do want to keep it depending on the $$$$$$$$ just leave a comment, I'll be watching this web site for sure...
Have owned a '97 Vectra for nearly 2yrs after purchasing it privately at 113,000klm. Drove beautifully for 6 months then I experienced the renowned stalling problem.
Replaced: 1) IAC valve (modified model) 119,000klm
2) Clutch 126,000klm
3) Cam sensor 133,000klm
4) Water pump
Cam belt and tensioners 139,000klm
Apart from the obvious changes that were required, the electrical component of the car continues to be the major stumbling block with regard the erratic idling/stalling problem. With a final visit to Holden to remedy the the ongoing fault, I came to the conclusion they had no idea how to fix the stalling fault as the car died yet again 50 meters from the dealership. It was time to do my own investigating. I removed the IAC and throttle body and did a fairly good clean of both components. What I noticed about the butterfly in the throttle body is that at idle, it was closed quite firm against the throttle body. With a little adjustment of the idle screw I wound the idle up around 1500rpm, then slowly turned the screw back to idle at 750rpm. This had the effect of having the butterfly valve slightly open at idle, and I literally cannot stall the car since. The design flaw of the throttle body and IAC I think, is that it literally doesn't provide enough air for the engine at idle. By means of a simple turn of an easily accessable grub screw I may have solved a very ongoing and frustrating problem. It's now been 2 enjoyable weeks on the road since the adjustments and the car is running better than ever before at 142,000klm's. Good luck.
Well yet more problems with our Vectra 2000 a couple a months ago our Vectra decided that the speedo would not work till it hit 50 ks traction control light stayed on along with the ABS light what was the problem? broken sensor bracket holders $$$$$$$$$$ now is in work shop again as it won't start and they can't find the problem they had it going for 1 minute, but won't start again mmmmmmmmm hope they find the problem more $$$$$$$$$$$$$ on the Vectra... be lovely car if weren't for the problems...
Friend had a 2000 Vectra in Australia, had all the electonic problems listed in review at about 80k, turned out to be a corroded earth wire from engine management computer. Fix was easy, but only if you knew what to look for.
My wife owns a 2000 CD model Vectra, until recently it had been a great reliable car. Now with approx. 90,000 K's on the clock, we have had nothing, but trouble. The instrument panel has a mind of its own. We were told it was a problem with the alternator over charging the battery. We had that fixed by an auto electrician, only to have the same problem occur almost immediately. They tell us there is an error code on the computer, but no one can fix it!
My mum has had a Vectra since 2000 we bought it brand new. After 40,000 the gear box started playing up we took it to the dealer, it got fixed 5000km problem started again. After 70,000km the engine started to rev alone can't find problem. 75,000km stereo blew up that got replaced. 90,000km it started over heating took it to the dealer got replaced. 99,000km problem started again. 100,000 engine blew up... never got replaced...
I have bought a 2000 Vectra CD GL from a dealer about 4 months ago at 80,000 kms. Everything worked smooth,until 2 weeks ago when I saw the lights for ABS, airbag, and TC flashing up. Last week I saw an automatic gearbox in the display screen, the car doesn't to have any power or pickup once this comes up and I have to shift gears manually. I have taken it to the authorised service workshop and they say that it's because of the alternator getting overcharged. Could anyone tell me if this could be the reason? as I am planning to get it done this weekend.
Thankyou.
Hi
About two months ago bought a 4cyl GL Vectra Hatchback, 81000 km must say all is well so far except for the following:
1) The CD/RADIO would came on full volume when first turned on (got exact replacement off eBay-prob solved).
2) The odd mysterious engine stall, though rare.
3) Segmnets are missing in the LCD warning display.
No other hassles so far must say I love this car very good fuel economy too.
I hope everyone keeps this thread going it's great. Best of luck to those of you who are having serious probs, hope you get sorted, remember to keep us all posted on your findings!
I have bought a 2000 vectra CD GL from a dealer about 4 months ago at 80000 kms. Everything worked smooth. Until 2 weeks ago when I saw the lights for ABS, airbag, TC flashing up. And last week I see a automatic gearbox in the display screen, the car doesn't to have any power or pickup once this comes up and I have to shift gears manually. I have taken it to the authorised service workshop and they say that its because of the alternator getting overcharged could anyone tellme if this could be the reason as I am planing to get it done this week end.
==========================================
My problem was indeed resolved by installing a new alternator all is good now hope it stays the same way.
We purchased a Holden Vectra 2001 three days ago. 24hrs after purchasing the car we started to experience problems.
The car is now at the Auto Electricians waiting for a new alternator to be installed. I am told this part (including Labour) may cost over a $1000 dollars. I am also a bit suspect about a knock in the steering. Therefore, I am going to have a mechanic take a look at this while my vehicle is still under warranty.
I really love my new car, but so far it has spent only one night at home and two nights at the auto electricians. I am told they are having difficulty getting the part and it could take a week. I hope I haven't purchased a lemon, I hate unreliable cars.
We just bought a 4/00 Vectra GL wagon from a dealer in Newcastle 3 days ago with 57,000kms on the clock. Thoroughly checked out the car before purchase and all was good. Having just read all the above I must say that a cloud of fear settled in. Our saving grace will be the warranty offered, which although is only 3 months should be enough to feel our way through any problems. This thread is very informative though - interesting reading and advice for problems I hope I never have to experience.
I'm the sucker that bought a vectra 2001 and 24hrs after purchasing it, had it at the auto electricians.
Well, my drama continues. the alternator got replaced and 2 weeks later I was on the phone to the dealer with a series of new problems. What a bomb.
The TC light and engine management lights intermittently come on whenever you have to stop the car at intersections. When you try to drive off the car has no power. It feels like I am trying to drive with the hand brake on. My quick fix solution is to pullover, turn the car off and restart the engine. Then there's the knock in the steering column and the dead spot in the engine on take off. If I ever get these things fixed I'll let you know. Hopefully it might help another vectra owner.
I bought a 2001 Cectra 2.6V6 about 4 weeks ago... didn't get it home from the dealer because oil went into the cooling system... turns out the oil cooler had a leak... cost $1000...got the car back 2 weeks later... used it for 2 days when coolant started leaking and oil was back in the cooling system... took it back and found out I had a leak in the radiator... cost $700...just got the car back yesterday with oil still in the coolant... mechanic says he can't do anything about it.. recommends flushing the coolant every 2 months... the radio/cd player has a mind of its own... its always on full volume when I switch it on... check brake pads keeps lighting up though they work fine... when I showed it to the local mechanic he told me "these V6s are the worst ever made, not designed for australia, so much packed into such a small car, complete garbage, shoul sell it as soon as physically possible"...i am not kidding about the above comments.. i was taken aback... not to sure what I'm goin to do... will wait for a month or two, then seriously think about selling it... love the car, but not happy about the problems its giving in just the first month.