Holden LS3 engine: known problems

Used in 2 guides · 6162cc petrol · 6 known problems

Displacement

6162cc

Fuel

petrol

Known problems6

Everything our guides list for the variants with this engine: the engine itself plus the gearbox and ancillaries it's paired with. Each shows which cars it's listed for.

High

Faulty inlet rocker-arm batch (final 2016 VF II)

Around the last ~2000 V8 Commodores built in 2016 had a faulty batch of inlet rocker arms from a new supplier, causing engine noise and in some cases failure. Holden rectified affected vehicles.

Fix: Confirm the rocker-arm rectification/recall was completed on late-2016 build cars; have any engine noise investigated by a Holden/LS specialist before purchase.

Any (affected build only) · ~$0 if covered / $1500-5000 otherwise

Listed for: Holden Ute VE / VF

Medium

Lifter tick / valvetrain noise (high km / hard use)

While the LS3 has no AFM, hydraulic lifters can still tick or collapse at high km or with neglected oil, and worst-case can damage a cam lobe.

Fix: Frequent top-grade oil changes; replace lifters (and cam if damaged) if a persistent tick develops.

From 100k+ km · ~$2000-5000

Listed for: Holden Commodore VF

Medium

Modified / abused examples

Many LS3 cars have been tuned, supercharged or track-driven; poor mods or hard use can hide drivetrain and engine stress.

Fix: Buy on documented history; inspect for tune/mods, clutch and diff wear; compression/leak-down test if unsure.

Any · Varies

Listed for: Holden Commodore VF

Medium

Hydraulic lifter wear / tick

Like all LS engines, the LS3 can develop hydraulic-lifter tick at higher km; a knocking on one cylinder at idle is the usual first sign.

Fix: Lifter replacement (and cam inspection); maintain fresh oil at correct level.

From 120k+ km · ~$1500-4000

Listed for: Holden Ute VE / VF

Low

Clutch wear (TR-6060 manual)

Hard launches and high torque wear the manual clutch; a slipping or shuddering clutch is common on enthusiast cars.

Fix: Clutch replacement; upgraded clutch if tuned.

From 80k+ km · ~$1200-2500

Listed for: Holden Commodore VF

Low

Cold-start piston slap / oil weeps

Cold piston slap (warms out) and age-related rear main/cam-plate oil weeps are typical LS traits.

Fix: Monitor; reseal weeps as required. Confirm noise clears once warm.

Any · Usually $0-1200

Listed for: Holden Ute VE / VF

Cars with the LS32

Holden Commodore VF

2013-2017 · 6.2L LS3 V8 petrol (VF Series II)

Value

Holden Ute VE / VF

2007-2017 · 6.2L LS3 V8

Value

From the FlamingCars guides for these cars. Specs are shown only where the guides agree and the value is verified.