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Top issues
21 known problems · 3 high
high
AFM lifter collapse
2 of 5 engines
high
Timing chain stretch and tensioner failure
3.6L LY7 'Alloytec' V6 (port-injected)
high
High-pressure fuel pump failure
3.6L LFX 'SIDI' V6 (direct injection)
Recalls
1 on recordREC-000486
2014-07-01
Defect: The LPG excess flow valve may restrict fuel supply to the engine.
Hazard: Reduced engine performance.
Remedy: Contact your nearest Holden dealer for inspection and repair, free of charge.
Affected: VE/VF Commodore & WM/WN Caprice, 2011-2014
Official notice: www.vehiclerecalls.gov.au · details checked 2026-09-29
Check a specific car by VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
At this odometer
See which of this car's known problems are due at that mileage, which should already have been dealt with, and what's coming up.
Generations
Best and worst years for the Holden Commodore →
Before: Commodore VZ (2004-2006) →
After: Commodore VF (2013-2017) →
Body styles
Sedan, Sportwagon, Ute (VE Ute)
Drivetrain
RWD
Origin
Australia
Built in
Elizabeth, South Australia
Overview
The VE was Holden's first ground-up Australian platform - the Zeta architecture. Sold as Omega, Berlina, Calais, SV6, SS, SS-V, and SS-V Redline trims, plus the HSV ClubSport, Senator, GTS variants. Late VE II (2010+) brought direct injection on the SIDI V6 and revised V8 (L77/L98). E85 capability on SS variants from MY11.
Engines & variants
3.6L LY7 'Alloytec' V6 (port-injected)
Engine
DOHC port-injected V6
Engine code
Config
V6 NA
Displacement
3564cc
Power
180-195kW
Torque
330-340Nm
Drivetrain
RWD
0–100
~7.8s
Economy
10.5 L/100km combined
Tow (braked)
2100kg
Tow (unbraked)
750kg
Transmission
6MT (Aisin AY6), 5AT (5L40E)
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven, known weak point — see problems
Pros
- Cheap entry to a rear-drive V6 Aussie sedan
- Chain-driven engine - no belt service
- Decent power - 180-195kW
- Massive parts supply via aftermarket / wreckers
- Roomy interior, big boot
Cons
- Known timing chain issues on high-km units
- Heavy fuel consumption
- Auto trans (5AT) can develop shift issues
- Interior plastics dated
Known problems
high
Timing chain stretch and tensioner failure
The headline LY7 issue. Timing chain stretches and chain guide/tensioner wears, eventually causing chain skip or rattle on cold start. Catastrophic if left to fail - bent valves. Affects high-km neglected examples most.
Fix: Full timing chain kit (chain, guides, tensioner, sprockets). Use quality oil and don't extend service intervals. Listen carefully for rattle on cold start on pre-purchase inspection.
medium
Coolant elbow / thermostat housing leak
Plastic coolant elbows on top of engine become brittle and crack causing slow coolant loss.
Fix: Aluminium aftermarket elbow upgrade is a permanent fix. Easy DIY.
medium
Cam phaser noise
VVT cam phasers rattle on cold start due to oil pressure build-up time. Sometimes a precursor to timing chain issues.
Fix: Phaser replacement. Sometimes only needed if rattle persists after oil warms.
medium
Fuel pump assembly failure
In-tank fuel pump assembly fails over time - causes hard starts, intermittent stalling.
Fix: Pump assembly replacement. Drop tank or fuel pump access hatch.
3.6L LFX 'SIDI' V6 (direct injection)
Engine
DOHC direct-injected V6
Engine code
Config
V6 NA
Displacement
3564cc
Power
210kW
Torque
350Nm
Drivetrain
RWD
0–100
~7.2s
Economy
9.3 L/100km combined
Tow (braked)
2100kg
Tow (unbraked)
750kg
Transmission
6MT, 6AT (6L50)
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven, inspect from 200,000km+
Pros
- Significant power bump over LY7 (+15-30kW)
- Better fuel economy thanks to direct injection
- Improved timing chain design vs LY7
- 6-speed auto as standard
- More refined
Cons
- Direct injection means intake valve carbon buildup
- Higher HPFP failure rate than LY7
- More expensive parts than LY7
- Premium fuel preferred
Known problems
medium
Intake valve carbon buildup
Direct injection bypasses intake valves - carbon hardens on them over time. Causes rough idle, misfires, power loss.
Fix: Walnut blast service. Catch can fitment slows it down significantly.
high
High-pressure fuel pump failure
HPFP wears causing rough running, hard starts, possible misfires.
Fix: Pump replacement. Use clean fuel and consider an inline fuel filter.
medium
Timing chain (less common than LY7)
LFX has revised chain design but still requires good oil maintenance. Less common than LY7 chain issues.
Fix: Use quality oil at proper service intervals.
6.0L L98 V8 (Gen IV) — SS
Engine
OHV cathedral-port V8
Engine code
Config
V8 NA
Displacement
5967cc
Power
270kW
Torque
530Nm
Drivetrain
RWD
0–100
~5.7s
Economy
13.7 L/100km combined
Tow (braked)
2100kg
Tow (unbraked)
750kg
Transmission
6MT (Tremec T56), 6AT (6L80E)
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven, inspect from 250,000km+
Pros
- Iconic 'LS' platform - tough as nails
- Easy 400kW+ with modest mods
- Single short timing chain - bulletproof
- Massive aftermarket support globally
- Pushrod simplicity means easy DIY
- Tough 6L80E auto
Cons
- Heavy fuel consumption
- Active Fuel Management (cylinder deactivation) can cause oil issues
- Premium fuel required
- Original lifters can collapse over time
Known problems
high
AFM lifter collapse
Active Fuel Management (4-cylinder mode) lifters can collapse over time causing severe valvetrain noise, misfires, and potential cam damage. Affects high-km neglected examples most.
Fix: AFM delete (lifter swap, valley plate, tune) is the popular fix - removes the system entirely and improves reliability.
medium
Oil consumption (AFM-related)
AFM system can allow oil into combustion chambers - oil consumption can rise to 1L per 1000-3000km.
Fix: Catch can helps. AFM delete eliminates the issue entirely.
low
Rear main seal weep
Rear main seal can weep oil over time.
Fix: Reseal during clutch/torque converter service to save labour.
medium
Differential whine (3.45 ratio)
Live axle rear diffs can develop whine due to bearing wear or ring/pinion wear.
Fix: Rebuild rear diff. Some convert to upgraded 9-inch or LSD setup at same time.
6.0L L77 V8 (E85 capable) — SS-V Redline
Engine
OHV V8 with E85 flex fuel
Engine code
Config
V8 NA
Displacement
5967cc
Power
270kW (petrol) / 285kW (E85)
Torque
530Nm (petrol) / 545Nm (E85)
Drivetrain
RWD
0–100
~5.4s (E85)
Economy
12.6 L/100km combined
Tow (braked)
2100kg
Tow (unbraked)
750kg
Transmission
6MT (Tremec T56), 6AT (6L80E)
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven, inspect from 250,000km+
Pros
- All L98 strengths plus E85 capability
- More power on E85
- Updated cylinder heads
- Better cooling than L98
- Best value V8 sedan ever sold in Australia
Cons
- Same AFM issues as L98
- E85 availability limited in regional NSW
- Premium fuel preferred for petrol
- Slightly more complex than L98
Known problems
high
AFM lifter collapse
Same AFM lifter issue as L98 - 4-cyl mode lifters can collapse.
Fix: AFM delete remains the popular fix.
medium
E85 fuel system contamination (if rarely run)
If E85 capability is unused for years, water absorption in tank can corrode fuel system.
Fix: Drain tank, replace fuel filter, run fresh fuel.
medium
Oil consumption (AFM)
Same AFM oil consumption pattern as L98.
Fix: Catch can. AFM delete.
3.6L LY7/LFX with LPG (LPG-i / Dedicated)
Engine
Holden LPG-injected variant
Engine code
Config
V6 NA
Displacement
3564cc
Power
175-180kW (LPG-i)
Torque
320-325Nm
Drivetrain
RWD
0–100
~8.2s
Economy
12.3 L/100km LPG
Tow (braked)
2100kg
Tow (unbraked)
750kg
Transmission
6MT (Aisin AY6), 5AT (5L40E)
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven, known weak point — see problems
Pros
- LPG is significantly cheaper per km than petrol
- Genuine factory LPG-i (liquid injection) not vapor
- Same chassis benefits as petrol VE
- Fleet-spec examples often well-maintained
Cons
- LPG infrastructure shrinking in regional NSW
- Slightly lower power than petrol
- Tank takes up boot space
- Resale value lower
Known problems
medium
LPG injector failure
Dedicated LPG injectors can fail, causing rough running on gas. Switches back to petrol if dual-fuel.
Fix: Injector replacement. LPG specialist work.
medium
Vapouriser / regulator failure
LPG pressure regulator wears causing hesitation under load.
Fix: Vapouriser rebuild or replacement.
medium
LPG infrastructure availability
LPG service stations have shrunk significantly in NSW. Plan refuelling on long trips.
Fix: Check station availability for your route. Dual-fuel variants can fall back to petrol.