Recalls: Holden JH Cruze Sportwagon
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 JH Cruze Sportwagon
Takata airbag recall: Holden JH Cruze
Holden has announced that it will be issuing a recall for Holden JH Cruze vehicles due to the fitment of Takata airbags. Over time, the propellant wafers in these airbags absorb moisture and – in the event of a collision – this causes overly aggressive deployment of the airbag. If this occurs, metal fragments can be projected throughout the cabin and these pose a serious risk of injury and fatality. Holden’s announcement can be viewed at Holden Media Statement: Takata Airbag Recall.
Problems and faults: Holden JH Cruze Sportwagon
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.
Holden JH Cruze Sportwagon: GF6/6T40 automatic transmission failure
In November 2016, General motors initiated Special Coverage program 2022640 ZDSPP for 2011-13 Holden JH Cruze vehicles – with 1.8-litre petrol (2HO), 1.4-litre turbo petrol (LUJ) or 2.0-litre diesel (LLW/LNP) engines – 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.
2014-16 Holden JH Cruze Sportwagon 1.8i: cracked cylinder head
In September 2017, General Motors issued Special Coverage Program A172110231-ZSPP for 2014-16 model year Holden JH Cruze vehicles that had 1.8-litre LUW petrol engines. In these vehicles, the cylinder head could crack and cause the following symptoms –
- Rough engine running (misfires);
- Engine overheating and illumination of the instrument cluster warning light;
- Low coolant levels; and,
- Deterioration of the throttle body heater inlet pipe.
To fix, the cylinder head, throttle body heater inlet pipe and associated components were to be replaced. For these vehicles, Holden provided an extended warranty of six years or 120,000 kilometres, whichever occurred first, from when the vehicle entered service.
Holden Cruze Sportwagon: loose negative battery cable and loss of power steering
In June 2015, General Motors issued Service Bulletin 14311B for 2011-15 model year Chevrolet Cruze vehicles; in Australia, the equivalent model was sold as the Holden Cruze. In these vehicles, the negative battery cable terminal clamp may have had an insufficient crimp at the negative battery terminal. Over time, internal resistance could increase such that electrical systems would not receive adequate power. If this occurred,
- Power steering assistance may be lost such that greater effort would be needed to turn the steering wheel;
- The radio/HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) display may turn off and on;
- Messages for the ABS, traction control, electronic stability control may come on and off;
- The turn signal may not be heard;
- The ‘Battery Saver active’ and ‘Service Steering’ messages may appear in the Driver Information Centre (DIC); and,
- The interior and exterior lighting may flicker.
To fix, the negative battery cable was to be replaced and a bolt was to fasten the small regulated voltage cable. In the USA, General Motors extended warranty coverage for this condition to ten years or 120,000 kilometres from the date the vehicle entered service, whichever came first.
Holden Cruze Sportwagon: steering wheel resistance moving off-centre
In June 2015, General Motors issued Service Bulletin 14232A for 2011-14 model year Chevrolet Cruze vehicles; in Australia, the equivalent model was sold as the Holden Cruze. After driving long distances on a straight road, the steering wheel may exhibit increased resistance to moving off-centre due to increased friction in the steering system. While the steering wheel could be turned in this condition, increased effort would be required. To fix,
- The steering gear was to be replaced on pre-2012 model year vehicles; or,
- The power steering control module was to be re-programmed on 2013-14 model year vehicles.
In the USA, General Motors extended warranty coverage for this condition to ten years or 150,000 kilometres from the date the vehicle entered service, whichever came first.
Holden JH Cruze Sportwagon Diesel: oil leak from engine cover
In May 2017, General Motors issued Special Coverage Program A162069130-ZSPP for 2011-14 model year Holden JH Cruze vehicles that had 2.0-litre diesel engines. In these vehicles, an engine oil leak may be detected from the front engine cover and the upper oil pan interface. To fix:
- The front timing cover was to be re-sealed; and,
- The lower oil pan was to be re-sealed.
For these repairs, however, the engine had to be removed from the vehicle and the engine mounted on a stand so that it could be inverted. For the Holden JH Cruze, warranty coverage for this problem was extended to six years or 120,000 kilometres, whichever occurred first, from the date the vehicle entered service.
Holden JH Cruze Sportwagon Diesel: coolant flushing due to engine oil contamination
General Motors issued a technical service bulletin for 2011-2016 model year Holden JH Cruze vehicles that had 2.0-litre LNP diesel engines. In these vehicles, the engine oil cooler may have been damaged by a machined chip and this could cause engine oil to leak inside the engine oil cooler and contaminate the coolant. To fix, the engine coolant needed to be flushed.
Holden Cruze Sportwagon Diesel: DPF regeneration
For Holden JH Cruze vehicles with turbo-diesel engines, the vehicle may enter “limp home” mode if the diesel particulate filter (DPF) becomes clogged. To initiate the DPF’s automatic regeneration, the Holden Cruze requires sustained running with engine speeds above 2000 rpm.
2012-13 Holden JH Cruze Sportwagon 1.8i: engine vibration when stationary
In September 2014, General Motors issued Service Bulletin PI0928C for 2012-13 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles that had automatic transmissions and were manufactured prior to 1 August 2013. The equivalent vehicles for the Australian market were the Holden JH Cruze 1.8i.
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.
Holden JH Cruze Sportwagon 1.6 Turbo: engine thermostat and overheating
In May 2017, General Motors issued Service Update Bulletin A162072290-ZSUB for 2014 model year Holden JH Cruze vehicles that had 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engines (RPO code LLU). According to this service update bulletin, the vehicle may exhibit the following symptoms:
- The cooling fan running after the engine had been switched off;
- Engine overheating;
- High readings on the temperature gauge;
- Illumination of the ‘check engine’ light; and,
- Thermally stressed engine components.
These symptoms were attributed to abnormal heating resistance in the engine thermostat/thermostat housing. To fix, the engine thermostat housing was to be replaced.
Holden JH Cruze Sportwagon 1.6 Turbo: leak from turbo coolant hose
In December 2016, General Motors issued Service Update Bulletin E150210 ZSUB for 2014-16 model year Holden JH Cruze vehicles that had 1.6-litre turbocharged engines (RPO code LLU). In these vehicles, temperatures in the engine compartment could exceed the temperatures that the coolant hose was designed for. This heat could damage the turbocharger coolant return hose and cause coolant to leak. To fix, the turbocharger coolant return hose was to be replaced.
