Holden Commodore: Diesel particulate filter (DPF) clogging and limp mode
Diesel particulate filter (DPF) clogging and limp mode is a common engine fault on the Holden Commodore on the 2018–2020 cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs $300 to $3,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 51 documented faults on the Holden Commodore.
- Vehicle
- Holden Commodore
- Engine
- 2.0L
- Years
- 2018–2020
- Fuel
- diesel
- System
- Engine
What you are looking at
No photograph available
What goes wrong
The 2.0-litre turbo-diesel (shared with the Opel/Vauxhall Insignia B) is a strong open-road engine but is prone to DPF trouble when used mainly for short, stop-start trips that never let it complete a regeneration. Owners report frequent 'cleaning exhaust / continue driving' messages, an 'exhaust filter full' warning, dropping into limp mode, and fault codes such as P2002 (DPF low efficiency). In some cases faulty DPF pressure or temperature sensors trigger it; in others the filter genuinely loads up and needs a forced regen or clean, and a badly blocked filter that has been repeatedly force-regenerated can need replacing. Buyers who only do city driving should treat this as a real risk on the diesel.
What you would notice
- Exhaust filter full or cleaning exhaust dashboard message
- Limp mode / reduced power
- DPF or engine warning light
- Increased fuel use
- Fault code P2002
How to check it
Where to look. Diesel particulate filter in the exhaust downstream of the turbo; DPF differential-pressure and exhaust temperature sensors
Ask how the car is driven (short trips are a red flag), scan for stored DPF-related codes such as P2002, and check for warning messages on start-up; ideally take it for a sustained highway drive to confirm it does not fall into limp mode.
What it costs to put right
$300 to $3,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.
Ask the seller
- “Is the car used mostly for short city trips or regular highway runs?”
- “Has the DPF ever been cleaned, force-regenerated or replaced?”
- “Do any exhaust-filter or limp-mode warnings ever appear?”
Now check the Holden Commodore you are actually looking at
Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.
Where this comes from
Holden Commodore buyer questions
Is diesel particulate filter (dpf) clogging and limp mode serious on a Holden Commodore?
We rate it major and common on the Holden Commodore. The 2.0-litre turbo-diesel (shared with the Opel/Vauxhall Insignia B) is a strong open-road engine but is prone to DPF trouble when used mainly for short, stop-start trips that never let it complete a regeneration. Owners report frequent 'cleaning exhaust / continue driving' messages, an 'exhaust filter full' warning, dropping into limp mode, and fault codes such as P2002 (DPF low efficiency). In some cases faulty DPF pressure or temperature sensors trigger it; in others the filter genuinely loads up and needs a forced regen or clean, and a badly blocked filter that has been repeatedly force-regenerated can need replacing. Buyers who only do city driving should treat this as a real risk on the diesel.
How much does it cost to fix on a Holden Commodore?
$300 to $3,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.
Which Holden Commodore years are affected?
Our research records this fault on the 2018–2020 Holden Commodore. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.
How do I check for it before I buy?
Ask how the car is driven (short trips are a red flag), scan for stored DPF-related codes such as P2002, and check for warning messages on start-up; ideally take it for a sustained highway drive to confirm it does not fall into limp mode. Look here: Diesel particulate filter in the exhaust downstream of the turbo; DPF differential-pressure and exhaust temperature sensors