Holden Commodore: Fuel injectors fail causing rough running and limp mode (6.2 LS3 V8)
Fuel injectors fail causing rough running and limp mode (6.2 LS3 V8) is a common engine fault on the Holden Commodore on the 2015–2017 cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs $600 to $2,000 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 55 documented faults on the Holden Commodore.
- Vehicle
- Holden Commodore
- Engine
- 6.2L / 4.2L / 5.0L / 5.3L / 5.7L / 6.0L / 6.6L / 7.0L
- Years
- 2015–2017
- Fuel
- petrol
- System
- Engine
What you are looking at
Example of the part — not this vehicleA common-rail diesel injector. Contamination damages the nozzle at the tip.
What goes wrong
Fuel injector failure is a known issue on the 6.2 litre LS3 V8 fitted to the last locally built Commodores from late 2015 to 2017. A failing injector goes open circuit, the engine runs rough and the computer drops the car into limp-home mode with the engine and stability lights on. Holden blamed fuel quality and recommended 95 or 98 octane, while some technicians blame the injector design. There was no recall; many cars had injectors replaced under warranty, so ask for the records.
What you would notice
- Rough idle or misfire, often after a cold start
- Engine, traction and stability warning lights together
- Sudden loss of power (limp-home mode)
- Open-circuit injector fault codes
How to check it
Where to look. Engine bay, fuel rails on top of the V8
Start the engine from cold and listen for a rough or uneven idle. On the test drive watch for the engine, traction control or stability lights and any sudden loss of power. Ask the seller whether injectors have been replaced and ask for the invoice or warranty record. If a workshop inspection is possible: scan for stored injector circuit codes and misfire counts.
What it costs to put right
$600 to $2,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.
Ask the seller
- “Have the fuel injectors been replaced, and do you have the paperwork?”
- “Has the car ever gone into limp mode or shown the stability light with the engine light?”
- “What octane fuel has it been run on?”
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 fuel injectors fail causing rough running and limp mode (6.2 ls3 v8) serious on a Holden Commodore?
We rate it major and common on the Holden Commodore. Fuel injector failure is a known issue on the 6.2 litre LS3 V8 fitted to the last locally built Commodores from late 2015 to 2017. A failing injector goes open circuit, the engine runs rough and the computer drops the car into limp-home mode with the engine and stability lights on. Holden blamed fuel quality and recommended 95 or 98 octane, while some technicians blame the injector design. There was no recall; many cars had injectors replaced under warranty, so ask for the records.
How much does it cost to fix on a Holden Commodore?
$600 to $2,000 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 2015–2017 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?
Start the engine from cold and listen for a rough or uneven idle. On the test drive watch for the engine, traction control or stability lights and any sudden loss of power. Ask the seller whether injectors have been replaced and ask for the invoice or warranty record. If a workshop inspection is possible: scan for stored injector circuit codes and misfire counts. Look here: Engine bay, fuel rails on top of the V8