Holden Commodore vs Ford Falcon: known faults compared
The two Australian-built large sedans and utes, sold here for decades and now bought used as the last of their kind.
The catalogue documents 51 faults for the Holden Commodore and 36 for the Ford Falcon. That is a measure of how much has been recorded, which grows with how many were sold and for how long, not a reliability score.
At a glance
| Measure | Holden Commodore | Ford Falcon |
|---|---|---|
| Documented faults | 51 | 36 |
| Rated major or critical | 47 | 32 |
| Rated common or very common | 40 | 29 |
| Typical repair | $550–$1,900 | $600–$1,800 |
| Model years covered | 1988–2020 | 1988–2017 |
| Fuel types with documented faults | petrol, diesel | petrol |
| Service schedule on the model page | Yes | Yes |
Where the Holden Commodore goes wrong
Most likely to turn up
- Ecotec V6 Radiator Plastic End-Tank Cracking
- 6L80 Torque Converter Shudder on Light Throttle
- Rust under the boot seal, in the spare wheel well and around the bonded screens (VN-VS)
Most expensive to fix
Where the Ford Falcon goes wrong
Most likely to turn up
- 4.0L Inline-6 Radiator Plastic End-Tank Cracking (EA-EL)
- Barra 4.0L VCT Cam Phaser Rattle on Cold Start
- Barra six coil-pack breakdown causing a cylinder misfire (BA to FG X)
Most expensive to fix
Where the Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon differ
- Fluid Leaks: 10 documented on the Holden Commodore, 1 on the Ford Falcon. The costliest on the Holden Commodore is VE Power Steering Pump Whine & Rack Seal Leak, at up to $3,200.
- Interior: 4 documented on the Holden Commodore, 0 on the Ford Falcon. The costliest on the Holden Commodore is Front seat side airbag can fire when getting out recall (VY and VZ Commodore with seat side airbags, 2003-2005), at up to $0.
- Engine: 12 documented on the Holden Commodore, 15 on the Ford Falcon. The costliest on the Ford Falcon is Boss 5.4 V8 secondary timing chain stretch and guide failure, at up to $8,000.
Both carry several documented faults in engine, transmission, suspension, cooling and electrical, so check those areas on either car.
Fault areas side by side
| Area | Holden Commodore | Ford Falcon |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 12 | 15 |
| Fluid Leaks | 10 | 1 |
| Transmission | 6 | 5 |
| Suspension | 4 | 5 |
| Cooling | 5 | 4 |
| Electrical | 5 | 4 |
| Interior | 4 | 0 |
| Body & Rust | 2 | 2 |
| Brakes | 3 | 0 |
How to read this comparison
These are documented faults, not failure rates. A car sold in bigger numbers, for more years, has more written about it. Neither list tells you about the car in front of you: that depends on its history and how it has been looked after. Use the lists to know what to check, then check it.
Checking one of these cars?
Type the plate for the free basics and the faults that apply to that exact car. The full history and the guided inspection are one-off paid checks, no subscription.
Questions
Which has more known problems, the Holden Commodore or the Ford Falcon?
The catalogue documents 51 faults for the Holden Commodore and 36 for the Ford Falcon. That is a measure of how much has been recorded, which grows with how many were sold and for how long, not a reliability score. Of those, 47 on the Holden Commodore and 32 on the Ford Falcon are rated major or critical. What matters more is whether the car in front of you has the specific faults its model is known for.
Which is cheaper to fix?
A typical documented repair runs $550 to $1,900 on the Holden Commodore and $600 to $1,800 on the Ford Falcon, at New Zealand independent workshop rates. The expensive exceptions are listed on this page for each car, and they are the ones to check for before you buy.
What is the most expensive known fault on each?
On the Holden Commodore it is LS1 Oil Pump Wear and Low Idle Oil Pressure, documented at up to $7,700. On the Ford Falcon it is Boss 5.4 V8 secondary timing chain stretch and guide failure, documented at up to $8,000.