2002 Holden Astra CD from Australia and New Zealand - Comments

BOTH sets of brake pads replaced by 62,000klms (brakes always squealed from new – was told by Holden this was a common problem with Astras – what the…?!!)

SIX new tyres by 65,000klms

Major electrical part required replacing at 60,000klms costing $240 (exc installation by auto electrician)

Major service at 60,000klms …..$840 later!

ALL WHILST STILL UNDER Warranty!!!

In response to the person who claims 99% of Holden Astra owners are happy, perhaps you should do some more research!! Since owning my Astra from new, I have been astounded by the number of people with similar complaints to mine!

To compare Holden to Mazda or Subaru is a JOKE!

After numerous problems, I opted out of using Holden for servicing altogether, and chose to wear the cost with my local mechanic (who has since advised that it would be in my interest to sell the vehicle before anything else goes wrong - claiming it’s only a matter of time until it does).

Clearly naïve to expect nothing major to go wrong with my Astra in its 3 year warranty period, I have vowed never to own another Holden! I never expected to hand over $25,000 for a new car to have it cost me so dearly in such a short space of time.

Six new tyres by 62000km? Sounds like they were never rotated regularly - otherwise all 4 should have needed replacing at roughly the same time. This should be done every 10000km along with a wheel alignment check. The Astra, Barina and Vectra all run negative camber and toe out (these are factory settings, all three have a firm (ish) ride with a bias towards handling). This coupled with the usual FWD forward weight bias means if left unchecked, tyre wear will go through the roof!

As for the brake pads, maybe you should have tried a different compound pad?? At 20000km per year, that doesn't sound too horrendous to me. In any case, tyres, brakes and servicing (even the $840 ones) are NOT warranty items - simply wear and tear.

The electrical component should have been replaced under warranty though! (Assuming it was inside the 3 years).

I agree with the fist comment.

I have had problems with my astra since day 1.

I have returned it now 5 times to get a noise when reversing fixed and it continues to occur.

I have replaced all 4 tires before 60000 as well and yes they have been rotated.

Dear friends, in past I use to own Opel Kadett from '91 Astra and I was always happy with a car. Today, living in Australia and driving again Astra TR, TS I am still happy with car, but very, very dissapointed with Holden service and thir knowledge about these cars. What they know when selling this car to you is to say that it's Australian Holden, reliable with handy services all around...yes...sorry, but BIG NO.

What I am now experiencing after 65K km's is problem with cruise control??? I don't know what to do... but for sure I won't go to holden.

For the money this car is exceptional, reliable and good looking... but unfortunately electronics today are very questionable issue and this car has lots of it, so there maybe some problems too... Good luck to all of you...

I'm also having the same problems with my 2003 Astra. 60,000km and they're crap, and Holden don't give a damn. Don't even get me started on the warranty or extended warranty, that doesn't cover anything on the car, because it's all "just normal wear sir". The damn warranty doesn't even cover the service.

Don't ever purchase a Holden. I've been driving them since 74 with a new one every 5 years or so, but with the problems I've had with this one, I'll never get another.

I bought my 2002 Holden Astra Equip at just 500km and have just had my 75000km service which included new thermostat, timing belt and water pump (cost $1250). I have the same comments to make about the tyres. Mine were rotated regularly by the dealership, and I check the pressure at least every fortnight, but all five were replaced under 60000km. Brakes were all replaced by 40000km - I was told that this was from using cruise control so much.

The ignition has locked up and been replaced twice and now looks like it is going to happen again. Am about to take it back today for a bad 'ticking' noise in the engine.

What I love about the car is its boot size - we can take a family of 5 on holidays comfortably but I have been very surprised by how much it costs me per year in servicing and repairs and am getting worried now after 'googling' so many bad reviews.

Looks like were not the only ones with the same problems with our Astra. what a piece of garbage this things is. I have lost count of the times it has been back to holden to fix things. just a few... 2 door hinges, the ignition barrel, rear hatch fell apart, headlining, water pump, 2 sets of brakes, driver seat adjuster... all on a car that is 3 years old and done 75,000. You need to buy a $30 part just to change wiper blades. If anyone is reading this and looking at buying an Astra... for your own sake don't! They will cost you dearly. Having said that..I've got one for sale... he he he... maybe I should wait till I sell it before laughing.

I have a 99 TS Astra which I brought brand new. I too experienced the problem with my brakes making a loud grinding noise. Luckily I had a friend that works at Holden who managed to get it put under warranty. He too confirmed that the brakes were faulty.

The other problem I experienced was with my cd player. The radio would turn on full blast when I would start the car on a cold day. Holden refused to acknowledge this so I had to replace the radio at my own cost.

The other problem I had and still have is that my car regularly blows brake light lamps. I have also noticed that I see many Astras on the road of which many have at least one brake light blown... seems to be a common fault. Head light lamps have also been replaced quite often.

I must admit after these initial problems that my car has now done 210000km's and is running fine. I must admit that I stopped servicing it at Holden after the 3 year warranty was up and I found my self a trustworthy mechanic who tells me the TRUTH!!!

I have a 2002 Holden Astra CD. I've had it for only 6 months on 92000ks, and already I've spent over $4500 on fixing the timing belt, rotors, all brakes, and had a problem with the hand brake being clamped on the wheel.

Now I have to take it back because the brakes are still squeaking, and a grinding noise the same as before is coming back.

Also my engine has never been the same since they let me out of the car yard with absolutely no water or oil. Not happy at all.

Also the warranty did not pay for a single cent.

I have a 2002 Astra Equip which I purchased second hand at 5 years old with only 35,000 kms on it. I have a complete service history for it and it has been fine since brand new. Two tyres were changed for the roadworthy before I bought it, but that's pretty normal and I think the brakes had been done - yet once over 5 years is pretty good.

I was also aware that the 60,000km service to change the timing belt was going to be expensive because I checked this out prior to buying the car. If you get holden to do it its almost $1000 but getting any dealership to service your car is usually like throwing cash away.

My sister also has a 2002 Astra City and she bought hers new, she hasn't had any problems with her car other than having the brakes done at 45,000km which under her extended warranty cost her a bit at the dealership as they have to replace the discs not simply machine them as other cars. I don't see this as extreme to have the brakes done as the car has spent its whole life in city driving stopping constantly.

Otherwise my Astra has been great, it drives well, is pretty fuel efficient and doesn't make any weird noises.I'm completely happy with the car and everyone I know with an Astra, about 6 friends and co-workers, loves their car.

I have a 2004 OPEL Astra CD.

Just called for a service to find that (in my case) the 63000k service will set me back about $900 (timing belt etc). Having replaced a timing belt AFTER it went I can see pain both ways. $900 is rather ouch tho : (

I've had what I thought was cheap and expensive services and have been more or less content, so this should be the major service for a while and I seem to remember it was coming...

I have experienced 2 issues with the car, the AC compressor died (under warranty) and the LHS indicators stopped functioning due to some bad wiring (fixed gratis).

AS for people replacing 6 tyres, I'm up to about 8 what with some nasty punctures (twice had 2 flats). I've only ever managed to wear out 3 tyres :/

My records show that on average I'm spending around $2000 a year maintining it being: REGO/Insurance ($1400-1500), Servicing ($250-400 but not after this year hey!) and consumables ($150-300). Maintainance is rising and Insurance is somewhat decreasing.

Also, fuel efficiency is very slowly rising from an after break in low of around 7.8L/100 to close to 8.5L/100 now.

I have owned my 2002 Holden TS Astra Equipe since it was brand new. I experienced a problems with the cruise control not coming on, which suprisingly fixed itself on the way to the dealer! I have never had a problem since, so have put it down to a loose wire somewhere.

I have experienced problems with the ignition barrel which was fixed by a locksmith for the cost of $80.00

I have never had a problem with wear and tear on tyres. Brakes lasted 100,000kms which I was pretty impressed with.

Water pump was changed due to failure at 110,000km (timing belt was done at the same time, as apparently there is a fault with them and they must be done every 60,000km)

Overall I'am happy with my car. I believe most of it to be normal wear and tear. I do not use a Holden Dealership for any of the work carried out on my car and believe this is saving me a fortune!