VF Commodore/HSV Owner's Problems & Complaints

I ordered a black v6 Calais V wagon late May and got it June 20.
Up to 4,100 klms on the clock now.
Fuel economy much better than the VEII SV6 wagon I traded. The car is whisper quiet inside.
Great features, love the parking and head up display.
The my link system is not as friendly as the VEII sound system. iPod shuffle won't stay selected and i don't use pandora.
Phone integration is superb as is the sound quality.
3 problems that so far, Holden technical cannot figure out.
1 heated mirrors will not work at all
2 seats will not heat on remote start at all
3 climate control on 26 is blisteringly hot and on 25 freezing cold.
Very frustrating on a $55k (with options) car. This is my third VE/F and has the most issues early up. (my first VE was an August 06 build, it was perfect)
The camera has gone to a fisheye instead of normal lenses, there are no distance markers on the display. But the new tail gate lock is far superior.
So a few positives and a few negatives, but I don't regret the purchase and would buy another in 2 years when this one gets traded.

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Originally Posted by black stallion

I ordered a black v6 Calais V wagon
3 climate control on 26 is blisteringly hot and on 25 freezing cold..

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My WN Caprice V has a strange problem in that with the climate control on 23 degrees or more, the rear outlet temp is blistering hot and the console compartment is red hot to touch.

Has anyone else with a VF experienced similar. Sounds like a few climate control issues.

Thanks, Glenn

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Originally Posted by GRC888

My WN Caprice V has a strange problem in that with the climate control on 23 degrees or more, the rear outlet temp is blistering hot and the console compartment is red hot to touch.

Has anyone else with a VF experienced similar. Sounds like a few climate control issues.

Thanks, Glenn

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Yep same. VF Calais V.
Heater on 30 just to try and extract warm air from the front and the console turns into a soup warmer.

Struggle to keep warm unless the heater is on 30 or HI.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by black stallion

I ordered a black v6 Calais V wagon late May and got it June 20.
Up to 4,100 klms on the clock now.
Fuel economy much better than the VEII SV6 wagon I traded. The car is whisper quiet inside.
Great features, love the parking and head up display.
The my link system is not as friendly as the VEII sound system. iPod shuffle won't stay selected and i don't use pandora.
Phone integration is superb as is the sound quality.
3 problems that so far, Holden technical cannot figure out.
1 heated mirrors will not work at all
2 seats will not heat on remote start at all
3 climate control on 26 is blisteringly hot and on 25 freezing cold.
Very frustrating on a $55k (with options) car. This is my third VE/F and has the most issues early up. (my first VE was an August 06 build, it was perfect)
The camera has gone to a fisheye instead of normal lenses, there are no distance markers on the display. But the new tail gate lock is far superior.
So a few positives and a few negatives, but I don't regret the purchase and would buy another in 2 years when this one gets traded.

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Just over 2k on the clock for my VF Calais V and is driving great.

1. Heated mirrors are no issues for me so far.
2. Seats will not heat on remote start.
3. I can only get blisteringly hot on HI. 30 degrees or less is freezing cold.

VE Calais V MY08 was a fantastic car.

Since there's posts not refering to the specific purchase of a VF now, perhaps you guys need to start a VF Issues thread.

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Originally Posted by CLUBRED

Since there's posts not refering to the specific purchase of a VF now, perhaps you guys need to start a VF Issues thread.

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Great idea mate, thanks, I have just moved all the posts over here and started a new thread exactly as you said:goodjob:

There's a software update for the heating/AC. Anyone with those issues should go back to their dealer and ask them to check the service fixes for a software update :)

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Originally Posted by Smashfist

There's a software update for the heating/AC. Anyone with those issues should go back to their dealer and ask them to check the service fixes for a software update :)

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Heartland told me they did this. Still no good. A CAS case is now open. Still waiting for Holden technical to respond.

Sounds fortunate that i don't live in an area thats requires the heater... Hope they sought this problem out soon.

If a VF has had the software update the temp setting will only go up to 29 before going to HI.
If it hasn't had it, it will read 30 before going to HI.

Being a software engineer, I can't believe something so trivial got through testing........

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Originally Posted by Drizt

Being a software engineer, I can't believe something so trivial got through testing........

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Why do SO MANY computer related issues get through testing- be it in cars, in PC's, in smartphones, or whatever? Pretty much always seems to be a matter of WHEN, rather than IF, something will go wrong. Maybe it'll just be a random crash, or maybe it'll be an inherent fault across the product.
So much for the claims people (used to) make about computers making like "easier" for everyone!

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Originally Posted by planetdavo

Why do SO MANY computer related issues get through testing- be it in cars, in PC's, in smartphones, or whatever? Pretty much always seems to be a matter of WHEN, rather than IF, something will go wrong. Maybe it'll just be a random crash, or maybe it'll be an inherent fault across the product.
So much for the claims people (used to) make about computers making like "easier" for everyone!

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This is a little more embarrassing than the regular corner case type bugs. I mean... did no one use the climate control in testing?

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Originally Posted by Drizt

This is a little more embarrassing than the regular corner case type bugs. I mean... did no one use the climate control in testing?

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Agreed. This is a UAT failure as that is the final say on released software.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Drizt

This is a little more embarrassing than the regular corner case type bugs. I mean... did no one use the climate control in testing?

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As always, it is perhaps best we all wait for answers before starting the blame game.
With all sorts of reworks and recalls across ALL brands out there, clearly things can and do go wrong sometimes in the translation from pre-production engineering validation to actual mass production and public release... ;)

Sounds like it got through final testing and approved and then some one might have added a software update which subsequently caused this problem. Who knows but hope its fixed by the time i get mine Aug 6

I bought the first off the line series II SSV and the head unit (holden IQ system) was buggered. Did heaps of random things and after 3 failed software updates, a brand new unit was fitted, which fixed everything! Dodgy hardware in the end...

Had my WN Caprice V in at a dealership today for its climate control problem.

Advised that software update was carried out and all was well.

However, 10 minutes down the road after having picked up the vehicle this afternoon, my wife reported that the problem of red hot air being directed to the rear vents and the entire console being hot to touch, while the front receives cold air when set on 21-27C, remains unresolved.

I rang the service manager immediately who then admitted that Holden CAS/TAS has no idea what is wrong.

Dealer has asked for the car to come back for up to 2 days, however, I will only do this if Holden's sends an engineer to diagnose.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks. Glenn

This is beginning to sound like a lot of cars being affected. I wont be accepting my car if its like that when its suppose to be ready on Aug 6.

Either will I. how long does it usually take until the problem starts? I'll leave it idling in the dealer until I get signs...

Thats why u dont buy the new model straight up until they have fixed all the problems others r getting happens with all new models

Still waiting on Holden CAS to respond. Car now has 5,500 on the clock. No other issues, just want these ones fixed.

Temp sensor now in different place for cars coming down production line. Software patch available as mentioned but doesn't seem to be working.

Is there some vacuum operated flap that is not working or something?

If the sensor has been moved then there's a good chance the computer was doing it's job but getting the wrong info.

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Originally Posted by Vulture

Is there some vacuum operated flap that is not working or something?

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Good guess.

Took my W Caprice V back to the dealer for their second attempt to diagnose and fix after failing yesterday.

Miracle of all miracles... Problem resolved.

Apparently an actuation rod was not fully closing off an air flow flap so hot air was continuing to flow through without being mixed with fresh or air conditioned cool air.

Cool air is now exiting normally from the rear passenger air vents when set on 21-25C and warm from 26-29C.

Cheers,

Glenn

an old 1967 fault resurfaces lol

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GRC888

Good guess.

Took my W Caprice V back to the dealer for their second attempt to diagnose and fix after failing yesterday.

Miracle of all miracles... Problem resolved.

Apparently an actuation rod was not fully closing off an air flow flap so hot air was continuing to flow through without being mixed with fresh or air conditioned cool air.

Cool air is now exiting normally from the rear passenger air vents when set on 21-25C and warm from 26-29C.

Cheers,

Glenn

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You are lucky Glenn. Holden CAS called me today to say Holden tech still had NFI. I tod them about others having problems, about how Holden changed the location etc. nothing back, was just like tumbleweeds. Really getting jack of this. A $55k car should work properly. My VE2 had the iQ system fail on numerous occasions, so it really appears Holden just cannot get thing right. After owing 5 Holden's in the past 10 years, I think this will be my last.

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Originally Posted by black stallion

You are lucky Glenn. Holden CAS called me today to say Holden tech still had NFI. I tod them about others having problems, about how Holden changed the location etc. nothing back, was just like tumbleweeds. Really getting jack of this. A $55k car should work properly. My VE2 had the iQ system fail on numerous occasions, so it really appears Holden just cannot get thing right. After owing 5 Holden's in the past 10 years, I think this will be my last.

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You purchased the very first lot of a new car, what did you expect?

The first VE I had was an Aug 06 build. It was near perfect. Never a problem. The issues have come later. I expect manufacturers to get it right. The cop out excuse of being a new model doesn't appear to affect others.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by black stallion

The first VE I had was an Aug 06 build. It was near perfect. Never a problem. The issues have come later. I expect manufacturers to get it right. The cop out excuse of being a new model doesn't appear to affect others.

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You got lucky with your VE then. Give them some time, the whole electrical system is new - probably the biggest electrical change in 15 years.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by black stallion

The first VE I had was an Aug 06 build. It was near perfect. Never a problem. The issues have come later. I expect manufacturers to get it right. The cop out excuse of being a new model doesn't appear to affect others.

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Same here 06 sep build SS no dramas at all, in fact out of the 4 VE's only a electrical relay on my daily Berlina at 95000kms.

Hope for holdens sake the VF isn't a lemon(Ve had a/c dramas, balancer wobbling and various other issues), i'd hate for my new car to have dramas

Car going to a different dealer on the 31st. CAS still unable to provide a solution.
My gut feel is the controller for the HVAC or one of the sensors is faulty. On 23 yesterday, the air was so hot, i had to turn it off.

Anyone notice if the gap between dash and the front doors is different between the passenger and drivers side? I can fit my little finger in the gap on the drivers side but it's only about 1-2mm on the passenger side, almost like the entire dash is slightly too far to the left.

Split radiator hose losing majority of the coolant........4 days and still waiting for a replacement hose to come from Holden in Melbourne.... 560km on the clock....

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Originally Posted by jkgmh

Split radiator hose losing majority of the coolant........4 days and still waiting for a replacement hose to come from Holden in Melbourne.... 560km on the clock....

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Hmm, would have thought you would be back on the road by now.
Surely they could send one courier.

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Originally Posted by jkgmh

Split radiator hose losing majority of the coolant........4 days and still waiting for a replacement hose to come from Holden in Melbourne.... 560km on the clock....

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Speechless, a part that would be plentiful & on a car that is literally the last hurrah of Australian manufacturing to leave a buyer in that situation is ridiculous, for any manufacturer really


iPhone 2

So when I pick my car up in a week or so id better order a full set of hoses just in case lol

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Originally Posted by Crusty

Anyone notice if the gap between dash and the front doors is different between the passenger and drivers side? I can fit my little finger in the gap on the drivers side but it's only about 1-2mm on the passenger side, almost like the entire dash is slightly too far to the left.

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Mate I picked mine up this morning, cars V, and dash is dead centre, about 4mm either side.

But sadly I have small issues with mine.

Condensation in the headlights

Detailed left tape on the car

The front headlights have the clear metallic over sprayed on them, can see and feel. Opon further inspection the whole front of the cars body work is rough, car simply hadn't been clay blocked, I got mine out and did a small section and it came up good. I never really checked it at the dealer as it was passing down hard.

In the calais there are blue led lights just above the internal door handle, drivers side doesn't work.


Other than that I love the car, the HUD is awesome, from all the navigation, radio and car info it gives ya to even the g metre.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Crusty

Anyone notice if the gap between dash and the front doors is different between the passenger and drivers side? I can fit my little finger in the gap on the drivers side but it's only about 1-2mm on the passenger side, almost like the entire dash is slightly too far to the left.

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Well I just looked on the Holden website and in the gallery of the interior pictures it appears that all the VF's are built that way as the gaps are clearly different on each of the model photos.