Recalls: Holden TM Barina
Overview
Manufacturers, or importers, issue recalls for defects or faults which have the potential to cause injury. Generally, manufacturers will inform the original buyers if their vehicle is subject to a recall and of the steps required to remedy the defect or fault. Please note that the recalls below (if any) are for Australian-delivered vehicles only. Furthermore, the number of recalls should not be taken as an indication of a model’s reliability or its safety more generally.
Recalls: Holden TM Barina
2013 Holden TM Barina 1.6i with automatic transmission: cruise control
In April 2014, a recall was issued for Holden TM Barina vehicles with 1.6-litre petrol engines and automatic transmissions that were manufactured between July 2, 2013, and September 27, 2013. In these vehicles, the brake lamps may illuminate for a short period of time without the brake pedal being depressed. If this occurred, the cruise control may be deactivated when the brake lamps illuminated, potentially posing an accident hazard to the driver and other road users). The recalled vehicles had VINs in the range KL3 TA69 E9EB 512184 to KL3 TA48 E9EB 542780 (PRA 2014/14045).
2011-13 Holden TM Barina 1.6i with manual transmission: movement after park
In October 2014, a recall was issued for Holden TM Barina vehicles that had 1.6-litre petrol engines and manual transmissions. When the vehicle was parked, a wear condition in the ignition key cylinder actuator trigger may allow the vehicle starter motor to crank the engine if the key is left inside the ignition key cylinder and in ‘OFF’ position. If, when the vehicle was parked, the ignition key was left in the cylinder, the manual transmission left in gear and the park brake insufficiently applied, the vehicle may move unintentionally when the starter motor cranked the engine (PRA 2014/14372). The recalled TM Barina vehicles had the following build dates, production locations and VINs:
- 15 March 2011 to July 2014 (Bupyeong, Korea): KL3TF48E9CB002254 to KL3TF69E9FB010938; and,
- 21 November 2013 to 25 November 2013 (Rayong, Thailand): KL3TF48E9EH701861 to KL3TF69E9EH701867.
2011-13 Holden TM Barina: fuel pump O-ring seal
In January 2016, Holden issued a recall for Holden TM Barina vehicles that were manufactured from 28 August 2011 to 18 December 2013. Some of these vehicles may have been fitted with an incorrectly sized fuel pump O-ring seal during a service operation. In the unlikely event of a vehicle roll-over, a fuel leak could occur – this would create a fire risk and increase the risk of injury to persons in the area. The recalled Holden TM Barina vehicles had VINs in the range KL3TA48E9CB042707 to KL3TA48E9EB631153 (PRA 2016/15156).
2012-18 model year Holden TM Barina: Takata airbag recall
In June 2018, August 2018 and August 2019, recalls were issued for 2012-18 model year Holden TM Barina vehicles. The Takata driver’s airbag in these vehicles contained propellant wafers that could absorb moisture over time. In the event of a collision which triggered the driver’s airbag, excessive internal pressure could cause the metal airbag inflator housing to explode. This, in turn, would cause the metal fragments to be projected through the airbag cushion and into the cabin – these fragments posed a serious risk of injury and fatality. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2018/16856.
Problems and faults: Holden TM Barina
Overview
This section identifies potential problems, causes and fixes based on the experiences of owners and repairers, online sources and technical service bulletins. This information is provided solely for reference purposes and AustralianCar.Reviews recommends that only properly qualified persons carry out repairs or modifications. Furthermore, the number of items below should not be taken as an indicator of a model’s reliability or the frequency with which they may occur.
To report a problem or fault to the AustralianCar.Reviews team, please use the Contact Us form. Note that AustralianCar.Reviews does not offer advice on automotive problems or disputes; such enquiries will not receive a reply. For vehicles purchased from dealers after 1 January 2011, please see our Australian Consumer Law fact sheet.
2011-12 Holden TM Barina: GF6/6T40 automatic transmission failure
In November 2016, General motors initiated Special Coverage program 2022640 ZDSPP for 2011-12 Holden TM Barina vehicles that had six-speed GF6/6T40 automatic transmissions. According to the Special Coverage program, these vehicles may exhibit the following symptoms:
- Unable to engage reverse;
- Unable to engage forward gears;
- Slip or flare (i.e. engine speed increases without increase in vehicle speed) in forward or reverse gears;
- Illumination of the malfunction indicator light (MIL);
- Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P0776 found as an active or a history code in the Transmission Control Module (TCM); and,
- Loss of forward motion while driving.
If the transmission was diagnosed as needing only a component of the transmission to be replaced – such as the input/output speed sensor, TEHCM (Transmission Electro-Hydraulic Control Module), valve body, torque converter, torque converter seal or driveshaft seal – then only that component was to be replaced.
Where, however, diagnostic procedures confirmed a failed transmission and the transmission assembly needed to be replaced, then this repair was covered by the Special Coverage program for a period of five (5) years or 150,000 kilometres, whichever occurred first, from the date the vehicle first entered service, regardless or ownership.
Holden TM Barina: vibration, rattles and clunks due to engine mounts
For the Holden TM Barina, there have been reports of the engine mounts failing prematurely (i.e. from 60,000 kilometres). Symptoms of worn or failed engine mounts include:
- Fluid leaking from the engine mount;
- Vibrations and rattles from the engine compartment;
- A ‘clunk’ noise and shock through the drivetrain when drive or reverse is engaged; and,
- Clunking noises when accelerating and driving over bumps.
To fix, the engine mounts must be replaced.
Holden Barina RS: whistle/chirp noise from engine bay
In February 2015, General Motors issued Service Bulletin PI1297B for 2013-15 ‘model year’ Holden Barina RS models. According to the Service Bulletin, the driver may notice a whistle or chirp noise from the engine area after the vehicle had warmed up and there were four possible causes:
- A vacuum leak at the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) control valve. To fix, the camshaft cover assembly was to be replaced (see below);
- A vacuum leak, most likely at the front crankshaft seal. For this cause, the whistling/chirp noise may head for up to 10 seconds after the engine was shut off due to the vacuum in the engine crankcase equalising with atmospheric pressure. To fix, the front crankshaft seal was to be replaced;
- A whistling noise from the water pump due to:
- Low coolant with air moving through the system;
- A noisy water pump bearing (indicated by a rattle or growl noise); or,
- The coolant shaft seal (indicated by a higher-pitched whine noise, typically heard at idle when the engine was warm).
- Drive belt or belt tensioner.
Holden Barina RS: valve cover replacement
The Holden Barina RS shares its 1.4-litre turbocharged engine with the Holden JH Cruze 1.4 iTi. As such, the valve/camshaft cover contains the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) system and it may be necessary to replace the camshaft cover due to:
- A split in the PCV valve diaphragm; or,
- A rupture of the spring-loaded PCV disc. If this disc fails, the PCV draws oil from the crankcase since it is no longer sealed.
Symptoms of a ruptured PCV valve diaphragm include:
- The engine running rough at idle after turning the air conditioning off or on;
- Sluggish acceleration;
- Harsh gearshifts on low gears;
- Hard starting; and,
- Engine fault codes such as P1101, P0171, P013F or P0507.
Due to its high rate of failure, which often occurs before 80,000 kilometres, the camshaft cover was subsequently redesigned. The redesigned cover – GM part number 55573746, including gaskets and bolts pre-assembled – could be identified by its ramped vent.
For instructions on replacing the camshaft cover, please see Cruze Talk: How To Replace Valve/Camshaft Cover.
2012-14 Holden Barina RS: coolant leak from water pump
In January 2015, General Motors issued Service Bulletin 14371B for 2012-14 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles that had 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engines; the equivalent vehicle for the Australian market was the Holden Barina RS.
In these vehicles, the water pump may leak coolant from the weep reservoir or from the water pump shaft seal, causing coolant to drip onto the engine or onto the ground. Over time, the loss of coolant would reduce cooling performance and could lead to engine overheating. If not corrected, the ‘Service Engine’ indicator light may illuminate, an ‘Engine Hot, AC Off’ message may appear and the vehicle may enter ‘limp home’ mode which reduced engine power. To fix, the water pump was to be replaced.
In September 2017, General Motors issued Special Coverage Adjustment A172110251-ZSPP specifically for 2014-15 model year Holden Barina RS vehicles. The warranty for these vehicles was extended to six years or 120,000 kilometres, whichever came first, from the date the vehicle entered service. This, however, was inferior to the ten year or 240,000 kilometre warranty offered in the USA.
2012-13 Holden Barina RS: engine vibration when stationary
In September 2014, General Motors issued Service Bulletin PI0928C for 2012-13 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles that had 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engines, automatic transmissions and were manufactured prior to 1 August 2013. The equivalent vehicle for the Australian market was the Holden Barina RS.
In these vehicles, the driver may notice a bump sensation, a surge or an engine vibration when the vehicle was stationary, the engine was idling, their foot was on the brake and the transmission was in ‘Drive’. According to the service bulleting, this condition may be caused by:
- The ‘Neutral Idle’ feature of the transmission which shifted into neutral in certain conditions; and,
- Variation in the 1-2-3-4 clutch fibre plates.
Once verified, the clutch fibre plates were to be replaced by a plate kit (part number 24268545) which contained two clutch fibre plates.
2013-14 Holden Barina RS: malfunction indicator lamp and DTC P0299
In December 2014, General Motors issued Service Bulletin PI1366 for 2013-14 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles that had 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engines. The equivalent model for the Australian market was the Holden Barina RS.
In these vehicles, the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) may illuminate and diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P0299 ‘Engine Underboost’ may be logged. According to the bulletin, this code may be logged due to the loss of wastegate preload. Some wear in the wastegate actuator rod end to pin joint was considered normal and wear in this joint did not affect performance provided preload was maintained.
If, however, preload was insufficient – established if the wastegate pivot lever could be wiggled back and forth with little effort while the actuator rod remained static – then turbocharger was to be replaced.
