Holden LWN engine: known problems

Used in 2 guides · diesel · 6 known problems

Fuel

diesel

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

Torque converter shudder

Aisin AW6 lockup clutch shudder. Transmission overheating when towing.

Fix: External trans cooler. Fresh fluid every 50-60k.

From 100k+ km · ~$2500-4500

Listed for: Holden Colorado RG · Holden Colorado 7 / Trailblazer RG

High

Alternator cable recall

Pre-MY15 had alternator cable routing issue causing engine bay fires. Recall issued.

Fix: Verify recall completed via VIN check.

Any · Recall fix

Listed for: Holden Colorado RG

High

Fuel injector failure

VM Motori injectors fail around 70-100k. Hard starts, smoke, rough running.

Fix: Injector set replacement.

From 70-100k km · ~$2500-4000 set

Listed for: Holden Colorado RG

Medium

DPF clogging / failed regen on short trips

DPF-blocked warnings, incomplete regen and limp mode on city-only or short-trip cars; towing without highway running aggravates soot loading.

Fix: Regular highway driving for active regen; forced regen or DPF service if blocked. Not ideal as a pure urban vehicle.

Any · ~$300-2500

Listed for: Holden Colorado 7 / Trailblazer RG

Medium

Timing belt - mandatory interference-engine service

Belt-driven interference engine; an overdue belt risks catastrophic valve-to-piston damage.

Fix: Replace belt with tensioner/idlers and water pump on interval; confirm service history.

From 150k km / 7.5 years · ~$700-1500

Listed for: Holden Colorado 7 / Trailblazer RG

Medium

Injector / fuel-system wear at high km

The common-rail injectors and fuel system can develop faults at higher km, causing rough running, smoke and hard starting, worsened by poor-quality diesel.

Fix: Fit a quality secondary fuel/water-separator filter, use good diesel, and have injectors tested/replaced by a diesel specialist when symptoms appear.

From 150k+ km · ~$1500-3500

Listed for: Holden Colorado 7 / Trailblazer RG

Cars with the LWN2

Holden Colorado RG

2012-2020 · 2.5L LWN / 2.8L LWH (pre-MY16, 3000kg tow)

Caution

Holden Colorado 7 / Trailblazer RG

2012-2020 · 2.8L Duramax turbo-diesel (Series 2 / Trailblazer, 147kW)

Value

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