CriticalCommonTransmission

Holden Statesman: 4L60E Automatic 3-4 Clutch Pack Failure

4L60E Automatic 3-4 Clutch Pack Failure is a common transmission fault on the Holden Statesman on the 2000–2006 cars, and we rate it critical. Putting it right costs $2,500 to $5,000 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 11 documented faults on the Holden Statesman.

Vehicle: Holden Statesman
Years: 2000–2006
Fuel: petrol
Gearbox: auto
System: Transmission

This page covers the Holden Statesman as a model. Some faults only affect particular engines or build years — enter a plate below to narrow the list to one car.

All Holden Statesman faults11 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

No photograph available

We do not hold a verified photograph of the Clutch yet. We would rather show none than show a picture of a different part.

What goes wrong

The 4L60E four-speed automatic transmission used in WH, WK, and WL Statesman is prone to 3-4 clutch pack wear and failure. The 3-4 clutch pack engages third and fourth gear; when worn, the transmission slips between these gears or drops out of fourth entirely under load. Overheating from sustained highway driving or occasional towing accelerates failure. A full rebuild or replacement transmission is typically required.

What you would notice

Slipping or flaring when shifting from 3rd to 4th gear at highway speeds
Transmission dropping out of 4th gear under moderate throttle
Delayed or harsh engagement from rest when cold
Burnt transmission fluid odour
Transmission fault codes P0732 or P0733

How to check it

Where to look. Inside the 4L60E automatic transmission, 3-4 clutch pack assembly in the forward clutch drum

During test drive at highway speed, confirm smooth and positive 3-4 upshift.
Check transmission fluid condition — burnt or dark brown fluid indicates heat damage and neglect.
Look for fluid leaks around transmission pan gasket or cooler lines.
Scan for stored transmission fault codes.

Parts involved: Clutch.

What it costs to put right

$2,500 to $5,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, in NZD, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

Ask the seller

“Has the transmission ever been rebuilt or replaced?”
“Any slipping, flaring, or gear hunting at highway speed?”
“Has transmission fluid been changed at regular intervals?”

Now check the Holden Statesman 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.

Not sure what you would be paying for? See what a full KickTyres check includes.

Where this comes from

The failure described above is documented in published sources — owner forums, technical service bulletins, recall notices and workshop write-ups — held in our fault database. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them, and it is a starting point for an inspection rather than a manufacturer statement.

Holden Statesman buyer questions

Is 4l60e automatic 3-4 clutch pack failure serious on a Holden Statesman?

We rate it critical and common on the Holden Statesman. The 4L60E four-speed automatic transmission used in WH, WK, and WL Statesman is prone to 3-4 clutch pack wear and failure. The 3-4 clutch pack engages third and fourth gear; when worn, the transmission slips between these gears or drops out of fourth entirely under load. Overheating from sustained highway driving or occasional towing accelerates failure. A full rebuild or replacement transmission is typically required.

How much does it cost to fix on a Holden Statesman?

$2,500 to $5,000 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 Statesman years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2000–2006 Holden Statesman. 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?

During test drive at highway speed, confirm smooth and positive 3-4 upshift. Check transmission fluid condition — burnt or dark brown fluid indicates heat damage and neglect. Look for fluid leaks around transmission pan gasket or cooler lines. Scan for stored transmission fault codes. Look here: Inside the 4L60E automatic transmission, 3-4 clutch pack assembly in the forward clutch drum