2004 Holden Commodore Vz from Australia and New Zealand - Comments

Rear end noise from new. Noise is a cyclic knock varying with the speed of the vehicle, when backing off on the accelerator. More noticeable when traveling down hill.

Have tried to have above problem repaired three times. Changed dealer, new one is investigating it shortly. One previous dealer gave the lame excuse of tyre flat spots due to parking. This vehicle had 100 km on the clock.

Driver side speaker was polling (distorting). Speaker replaced by dealer.

Air vents not functioning correctly – large volume of air entering cabin from outside when recirculate position is selected. Tried twice to have it resolved. Second fix worked for three days, but again is letting in air from outside when recirculate position selected, even without the fan switched on.

Power steering fluid leak – detected by me due to power steering becoming noisy when the reservoir became empty. Found loose clamp and tightened.

Rear seat-belt not releasing. dealer repaired this.

Electric antenna was not functioning, i.e. not lowering-raising. Repaired by dealer.

This car and my previous holden are lease vehicles. I also own a smaller car (2000 Lancer wagon) which has only had one repair after 80000 km to the electric window opener.

Up until now I have always liked the commodores, but after some faults with my previous one (VX wagon), and now this one (VZ wagon), I will never lease or purchase a commodore again given their lack of quality control.

This car should have been painted yellow to clearly identify its attributes.

No such car as a 04 VZ Commodore.

VZ came in 05.

There is also no such VZ with a 3.8, the VZ has the 3.6 alloytech engine.

I am the originator of the write-up.

Sorry for my ignorance, I didn't check the manual for the engine size, performance was never an issue. I wrongly assumed the engine size was unchanged from previous models.

With regards to the comment about VZ not being built in 2004 I have this to add:

This vehicle has the following information on the compliance plate:

Model : VZ8VK35-114

Build Date: Oct 04

VIN is 6G1ZK82B75L34...

The manual is for a VZ V6 Alloytec model

It has a “ V6 Alloytec” emblem on the side of the vehicle.

I received the car end of October 2004.

The registration says it's a VZ so with the above information I'd say it's a 2004 VZ model.

Also, I have some happy news re dealers; I have taken the vehicle to a different smaller dealer as mentioned in the writeup and have been very happy with their service. They have had the car three times and repaired all the faults. They didn't give weak smiles like the previous large dealer and say things like “ we tightened the recirculating flap” when doing nothing at all. They repaired it. The rear-end noise was fixed by replacing the axles.

I have a VX II. Falling apart as quickly as I suspect it was thrown together.

I am the originator of the write-up.

Unfortunately the knocking noise from the rear end has returned and is getting worse. To be fair the car is quite old now with high mileage (nearly two years old and 25,000 km).

I have ordered a Subaru Forester as a replacement as I don't need a car this big (or another Holden...)

Good Luck with the Forester, you made a good choice, my Grandparents just purchased a 2006 Forester X, excellent car. It should last a while too, my 1982 Subaru 1800 is still strong and causes no trouble at nearly 375,000km.

To the writer of the review. You don't need to excuse the shoddy build of these cars by pointing out that it is now 2 years old and has 25k's. This is neither old nor high mileage. These sorts of problems on any car this young are disgraceful. Mind you, I do own a 13 year old Mazda 626 with nearly 250k's and it is only now starting to show minor signs of wear and tear. I had a VT for a few months as a company vehicle in 2002 and it was horrid. As the other replier pointed out, you will no doubt find your Subaru to be in a completely different league to anything Holden could hope to throw together.

It always amazes me the amount of people who continue to buy Holden Commodores so many times even with the terrible build quality.

I have worked with at Toyota and Honda Service centres alongside mechanics who have come from Holden service centres, they never seem to have anything nice to say about working on Holdens or the quality of the components.

To the writer of the comment of 25 August:

You are quite right, I consider that a vehicle that is 2 years old having traveled 25000 km as almost brand new.

I was just making a tongue-in-cheek comment about the lowest quality of build that I have ever seen in a car. The locks are playing up too now, the rear-end knocking noise is increasing in level, and the earlier fault with the rear seat belt is back.

Regards,

(Writer of the review)

I currently own a 5 year old VX commodore with 100 thousand kilometres on the clock and I can honestly say I have never had a problem with it, or any previous commodore's I have owned. I understand that people have had bad experience's with Commodore's, the same as with any other car (a friend of mine owns a Subaru which is just problem after problem), but I don't think that bad experience's should turn you off Commodore's forever, the new VE's seem to have great build quality... but I guess time will tell.

To the writer of the last post. Unfortunatley it usually only takes one bad experience to change someones mind about a product and put them off for good. I have had a very bad experience with a new statesman a couple of years ago and wouldn't buy another holden again. If we just put aside all the emotion of owning a holden and remember they are a very big company and we work hard for our money. We are giving them our money in exchange for there product we should not tolerate poor products and service. And that goes for ford toyota mitsubishi or whoever.By saying things like commodores rule and go easy on poor old holden dosent help us get better products.

A member of my family has had 4 Commodores in a row on hire-purchase leases and all I can say is that overall the Commodore's have been excellent cars.

The VP 1993 Series II Executive had no trouble in the 3 years of ownership from new, however, every one you see now has faded paint and the bumpers are sagging.

The 1997 VS Series II Executive owned for 3 years had no major problems even doing 185,000Km. Had no issues with the known flawed power steering pump or head gasket issues.

The 2000 VT Series II S (dual fuel) owned for 6 years had only little issues in the first three years. The exhaust valve seals came loose and exhaust was coming out from under the car and fuel injector issues (due to gas). The fourth year saw the engine backfiring and cracking the air box (LPG related again). The only other parts replaced were the electric antenna, seat back pocket clip (due to too much weight two melways). The car had done 215,000km by the time it was sold.

The 2004 VZ (yes they exist), (no side airbag sticker on the b-pillar). This car has had no real issues, the suspension is too stiff and the Alloytec 190 is very whiny because of the chain drive. The interior door trims are patchy in areas, the VT was much better quality I feel.

Commodore's are good runabouts, but if you want high quality or durability go for a Honda or Toyota. I own a 1988 Honda Integra SX16, the paint is excellent, the interior is all intact, everything, but the A/C still works, even the automatic is still going and its done over 225,000Km.

I brought a DECEMBER 2004 VZ COMMODORE about 4 months ago now. I am having starting problems.. At times the only way I can start the car is by opening the bonnet and starting it myself by taking one of the relays out and connecting them with 2 pieces of wire.

Has anyone experienced this sort of problem before. I was told it was a common problem for the VZ... I have taken it to my local HOLDEN DEALER about 3 times and they stil haven't fixed the problem.

At the moment they are telling me I need a part that is

$700 but they can't guarantee it wil fix it.

If anyone has any info on this or have experienced the same thing, I would be ever so thankful if they could email me.

Thanks.

Colby_cheese16@hotmail.com.

I have a 2004 VZ SV6 and have found the suspension very firm.

Can some one tell me the changes that were made from the Vy.

What changes can I make to soften the ride by sat 10% or so.

I bought a Holden certified lease vehicle - a Feb 2006 VZ with the newer engine in it (older engine design in 05 models apparently). I have had no issues with the car and love to drive it. Perhaps it's because it was made on a Wednesday (if there is any truth in the Monday/Friday car thing).

True, as a commodore executive, its not top of the line, but it has all I need in a basic sedan. I picked this one up with just over 40,000km and I nothing apart from servicing has been required at 120,000 (odd) km.

The Mitsubishi 380s have more get up and go (I drive a lot of hire cars) but the commodore leaves me less fatigued on long trips. I feel that it performs at least as well as a Ford SR6 and is miles more comfortable.

My previous car was a Commodore VP Series II 1993 model. I put 350,000km on that and replaced little more on the engine than a couple of timing chains and associated sprockets. It still got 10/100km on the highway when I traded it.