Holden Colorado: common faults & what to check

Which Holden Colorado are you looking at?

4 generation variants documented. Pick the shape you recognise: the faults, the servicing and the timeline below all narrow to it. Free, no account needed.

Petrol

1 variant documented

2008–2012RC2008–2012RC3.6 V6 petrolPetrolDocumented issues1 knownSee faults & what to checkPhoto: OSX via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain.

Diesel

2 variants documented

2008–2012RC2008–2012RC3.0 turbo-dieselDieselDocumented issues0 knownSee faults & what to checkPhoto: OSX via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain.

2012–2021RG2012–2021RG2.8 turbo-dieselDieselDocumented issues9 knownSee faults & what to checkKickTyres illustration, not a photograph.

Engine not documented

1 variant documented

2003–2009RA2003–2009RAEngine not documented for this generationEngine not documentedDocumented issues0 knownSee faults & what to checkKickTyres illustration, not a photograph.

Now narrow it to the engine

A 1.8 and a 2.4 of the same car do not fail the same way, so the faults below narrow to the engine as well as the year. Free, no account needed.

Start your free check on this Holden Colorado

No plate needed. You get the risk score, the buyer's checklist and the guided inspection for the exact car you picked above — not the whole nameplate.

The checks worth doing on a Holden Colorado before you hand over any money. Every documented fault is listed below, each with its own page.

• Serious issue

  Check coolant reservoir level and look for top-up evidence.

  See why

  LWN 2.8L Diesel EGR Cooler Internal Failure – Coolant Contamination

  The LWN 2.8L Duramax diesel used in the RG Colorado has an EGR cooler that is prone to internal cracking, allowing coolant to enter the EGR gas circuit. This contamination causes a distinctive white smoke from the exhaust under acceleration and progressive coolant loss. Continued operation leads to hydrolocking risk and potential engine damage. Holden Australia issued a recall and extended warranty coverage for this fault. One of the most commonly documented faults on the RG Colorado.

  What you would notice

  • White smoke from exhaust on acceleration, not present at idle warm
  • Coolant loss without visible external leak
  • Sweet smell from exhaust
  • Low coolant warning light
  • Milky or frothy residue on oil filler cap (advanced cases)

  Typically $1,800–$4,000 to put right.

• Serious issue

  Clean the area with a rag before inspecting — cracks appear as dark hairline marks often packed with rust.

  See why

  Front Leaf Spring Front Eye Cracking

  The front mono-leaf spring on the RG Colorado develops fatigue cracks at the forward eye — the formed loop through which the chassis pin passes — under repeated bump loading, particularly when the vehicle is used with a canopy, tray load, or bull bar that increases unsprung stress cycles. A cracked eye can propagate to full fracture, causing the front axle to shift rearward under braking and creating acute understeer or loss of directional control. This is a safety-critical structural failure that has been subject to at least one voluntary recall campaign in Australia.

  What you would notice

  • Clunking or knocking from front suspension over sharp bumps or driveway lips
  • Visible crack or rust staining at the spring eye when viewed from below
  • Subtle pull to one side under firm braking
  • Uneven front ride height when measured left-to-right
  • Creaking noise from front end when articulating in car parks

  Typically $800–$2,000 to put right.

• Serious issue

  Check if the vehicle is subject to the relevant recall using the VIN.

  See why

  LWN 2.8L Diesel Automatic Flywheel Bolt Shearing

  The automatic transmission variant of the RG Colorado LWN 2.8L diesel is subject to flywheel (flex plate) bolt shearing. The bolts connecting the torque converter to the flex plate can shear under the torque loads of the diesel engine, particularly when towing. The failure produces a loud knocking noise and renders the vehicle unable to drive. Holden Australia issued a recall for this fault covering certain build date ranges.

  What you would notice

  • Loud knocking or banging noise from bellhousing area under load
  • Vibration through drivetrain when accelerating
  • Complete loss of drive in severe cases
  • Noise worsens on acceleration and reduces on overrun

  Typically $1,200–$2,800 to put right.

• Costly issue

  A healthy example has minimal carbon at 150,000 km.

  See why

  EGR Cooler Carbonisation and Throttle Body Fouling

  On the 2.8TD (LWH/LML) diesel, exhaust gas recirculation deposits accumulate in the EGR cooler matrix, EGR valve, intake manifold, and throttle body at high rates due to the closed-loop emissions calibration used in AU/NZ spec vehicles. Carbon restriction reduces effective airflow, pushes the ECM toward richer fuelling, and accelerates DPF loading. Left untreated, the EGR cooler can crack internally, allowing coolant to enter the intake stream and causing hydrostatic lock risk.

  What you would notice

  • Progressive loss of power and turbo spool under load
  • Rough idle and lumpy off-idle throttle response
  • Black or blue smoke on acceleration after idle
  • DTC P040x or P042x EGR-related fault codes stored
  • Coolant level dropping slowly with no visible external leak (cooler crack)

  Typically $600–$2,800 to put right.

• Costly issue

  Request a firm 4-3 kickdown and note if the downshift is smooth or bangs in.

  See why

  6L50 automatic harsh downshift and TCC shudder

  The GM Hydra-Matic 6L50 6-speed automatic used in the RG Colorado develops two related failure modes at higher mileage. First, the torque converter clutch (TCC) friction material glazes over, causing a low-frequency shudder felt through the drivetrain at light throttle between 40-90 kph when the converter is locked. Second, the 4-3 and 3-2 downshift clutch packs wear and cause harsh, jerky kickdown engagement. Both conditions are exacerbated by failure to change transmission fluid at or before 60,000 km intervals. GM released Dexron-HP as a revised fluid specification that reduces TCC shudder in mild cases, but worn friction material requires a full transmission overhaul to fully resolve.

  What you would notice

  • Rhythmic shudder or vibration at light throttle between 40-90 kph
  • Harsh or jerky downshift when engine braking or accelerating firmly
  • Delayed engagement from Park or Neutral into Drive
  • Transmission fluid with burnt smell or dark discolouration
  • Shudder that disappears under heavier throttle or at full lock-up

  Typically $350–$5,500 to put right.

• Costly issue

  Request service records confirming glow plug inspection or replacement.

  See why

  Glow Plug Seizure and Broken Tip on Extraction

  Glow plugs on the 2.8TD, 3.0TD, and 2.5TD engines seize into the cylinder head due to galvanic corrosion between the steel plug body and the aluminium head over years of heat cycling. When a workshop attempts to extract a seized glow plug during routine maintenance or fault diagnosis, the ceramic heater tip frequently shears off inside the combustion chamber, requiring specialist drill-out procedures or head removal. A broken glow plug tip left in-cylinder causes hard starting, misfires, and eventual valve damage.

  What you would notice

  • Extended cranking before start when ambient temperature is below 10°C
  • Glow plug warning light cycling on repeatedly or staying on longer than 3 seconds at start-up
  • Rough idle and misfires limited to cold soak that clear after 2–3 minutes of running
  • Individual cylinder misfire codes that appear only on cold starts
  • DTC P0671–P0674 (glow plug circuit faults for cylinders 1–4)

  Typically $350–$3,500 to put right.

Holden Colorado service schedule

What falls due, and at what distance, for each generation of the Holden Colorado. These are the model’s intervals — the car’s own service book is the only thing that can tell you what has actually been done to it.

What these repairs cost on other cars

Some of the Holden Colorado’s documented faults are repairs other models share. Each page lists the documented NZ cost for every model it affects.

• Timing Chain Replacement Cost
• DPF Repair and Replacement Cost
• EGR Valve and Cooler Repair Cost

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