# Used VE Series 1 Commodore (2006–2010): Problems and Which Years to Buy > What's reported on the Holden VE Commodore built from August 2006 to September 2010, which build dates matter, and what to check at the car. Last updated: 6 November 2026. Web page: https://shufti.com.au/checklists/used-holden-commodore-inspection-checklist/ve-series-1. Engines: 3.6 Alloytec V6 (LE0, LW2 LPG, LY7, to 2009); 3.0 and 3.6 SIDI V6 (LF1, LLT, from Sept 2009); 6.0 V8 (L98, plus L76 autos from Jan 2009). ## Common Problems on a Used VE Series 1 Commodore The main reports on a VE Series 1 Commodore are stretched timing chains on V6 engines built up to 18 May 2007, 6L80 automatic faults on 2006–09 SS models, and a clutch and slave cylinder problem on early manual SS V8s. Automatic SS models from January 2009 can also use oil. This is the oldest VE, so condition and service history matter as much as the year. ### Is a VE Series 1 Commodore reliable? It depends on the engine and build date. Stretched timing chains are a well-reported V6 problem, but GM's chain bulletin stops at engines built on 18 May 2007, so later V6s fall outside it. ## VE Series 1 Commodore Problems by Engine and Build Date ### V6 engines - **Stretched timing chains.** Covers: LE0, LW2 and LY7 V6s with engines built up to 18 May 2007. Some, not all, were affected. Cases are reported at higher kilometres too. Replacing them is a big job, so it's a reason to walk away or a big part of your offer. - What to check: Start the engine cold and listen for a rattle in the first few seconds. Watch for an engine light, and have a scan tool look for codes P0008, P0009 and P0016–P0019. - Ask the seller: When was the engine built, have the chains been replaced, and can I see the invoice? - **Brief hesitation or flutter while driving.** Covers: LY7 V6s here, and the later LF1 and LLT direct-injection V6s. GM's bulletin PI0090E says a poor connection at a camshaft position sensor may cause it. The repair is to correct the connector, and to clean or replace the sensor if it's contaminated. No fault code is logged. - What to check: Hold a steady speed on the test drive and feel for a momentary loss of drive. - **Carbon build-up on the intake valves of direct-injection V6s.** Covers: LF1 and LLT V6s, from September 2009. These 3.0-litre and 3.6-litre SIDI engines can start hard, misfire or lose power. The fix means removing the intake to clean the valves by hand. - What to check: Start the car and watch for a long crank, then feel for misfires at idle and under light throttle. - Ask the seller: Have the intake valves ever been cleaned? ### V8 engines - **Clutch pedal staying down, from a leaking plastic slave cylinder.** Covers: Early manual SS models with the L98 V8 and T56 gearbox. A stronger clutch and slave cylinder arrived with the TR6060 in September 2009. The pedal can stay down after repeated hard driving, and the clutch can slip and wear early. Many cars had a stronger clutch fitted, often under warranty. - What to check: Press the clutch several times, and pull away firmly. The pedal should return every time and the clutch shouldn't slip. - Ask the seller: Has the clutch or slave cylinder been replaced, and with which parts? - **6L80 automatic slipping, harsh 2–3 shifts or a delayed reverse.** Covers: 2006–09 SS automatics. A cracked clutch housing is linked to 2006–08 cars, and leaking seal rings to 2006–09 cars. A revised seal ring arrived in December 2008. Have any slip or harsh shift diagnosed before you make an offer, because neither cause is a small job. - What to check: Check reverse engages promptly, feel for harsh 2–3 changes, and accelerate as if overtaking to feel for slip. - Ask the seller: Has the gearbox been repaired or serviced, and are there records? - **Slip or no fourth, fifth or sixth gear.** Covers: SS automatics with the 6L80. Bulletin PI0773 lists the 2008–09 Pontiac G8. GM's diagnostic tips cover a distressed clutch in the gearbox, with an engine light and code P0796. - What to check: Take the car through every gear at road speed and watch for an engine light. - **Oil consumption on the L76 V8.** Covers: L76 engines built before February 2011, fitted to SS automatics from January 2009. GM's bulletin offers a repair above about 1 litre per 3,200–4,800 km. If use is still over 1 litre per 3,200 km afterwards, the pistons and rings are replaced. - What to check: Check the dipstick, and look for a rough idle or an engine light. - Ask the seller: How often do you top up the oil? - **Hydraulic lifter noise or failure on the V8s.** Covers: L98 and L76 V8s. GM's ticking-lifter bulletin names the L76. A failed lifter can damage the pushrods, valves or camshaft. Replacing lifters means taking the cylinder heads off. - What to check: Listen for ticking or tapping from the top of the engine, from cold and at idle. - Ask the seller: Have the lifters been replaced, and how often was the oil changed? - **Worn rocker bearings, leaving the valves damaged.** Covers: V8s, with no year limit given. You can't see this at a viewing, so service history and how the engine sounds are your best guide. - **Air conditioning belt thrown off.** Covers: V8s from before November 2009, when a revised bracket and pulley arrived. A separated harmonic balancer can cause the same thing, so have it looked at. - What to check: Listen for belt squeal after a cold start. ### All engines - **Fuel pump failure on early cars.** Covers: Early V6 and V8 VEs. The dash flashes an X and "Contact Dealer". It's a bigger job than it sounds, because the rear subframe has to be lowered to remove the tank. - What to check: Watch the dash at start-up for a flashing X or "Contact Dealer" message. - **Failing alternators and flat batteries on early cars.** Covers: Early V6 and V8 VEs. Software updates were needed on some. Usually a routine repair, but a tired battery can be a warning sign. - What to check: Check the battery light goes out after start-up, and that the headlights don't dim at idle. - **Radiators wearing at the plastic end tanks.** Covers: V6s and V8s, with no year limit given. The tanks can turn brittle after many heat cycles, and the usual fix is a new radiator. - What to check: With the engine cold, look for coolant stains around the sides of the radiator. - **Water pump and heater hose leaks, especially on V6s.** Covers: All VEs, with V6s named most often. Leaks from the front cover gasket are reported. A slow leak is easy to miss until the car overheats. - What to check: Look for coolant crust around the front of the engine, and check the coolant level in the overflow bottle. - **Knocking from the front suspension.** Covers: All VEs. Usually worn sway-bar bushes or strut-top mounts, a routine repair to raise in your offer. - What to check: Drive slowly over a few bumps and listen for knocks from the front. - **Damp or mouldy carpets from water leaks.** Covers: All VEs. Water can get through the firewall and a join in the plenum, or from cracked drain tubes at the air box. - What to check: Press the carpet in both front footwells and smell for mould. ## Which VE Series 1 Commodore Years to Avoid? Take most care with V6s built up to mid-2007, and with 2009–10 L76 automatics that use oil. Before March 2008, check which airbags the car has. No single year is one to avoid outright, because the answer changes with the engine. Our shortlist: On what's reported, a V6 built from about October 2008 to August 2009 sits after the chain bulletin, has side and curtain airbags as standard, and comes before direct injection. A manual SS from September 2009 has the stronger clutch. ### What changed, by build date - Aug 2006: VE on sale. Omega has front airbags only; SV6 and SS add side airbags, and SS V adds curtain airbags. - 18 May 2007: Last engine build date in GM's V6 timing-chain bulletin. - Mar 2008: Front side and full-length curtain airbags standard across the range. - Oct 2008: Omega sedan moves from 4 to 5 out of 5 on ANCAP. - Jan 2009: L76 V8 with Active Fuel Management on SS automatics. Oil use and lifter bulletins start here. - Sept 2009: SIDI direct-injection V6s replace the Alloytec. Stronger clutch arrives with the TR6060 manual. ## Recalls to Confirm - Oct 2006: 6.0 V8s built July to August 2006. Incorrectly made fuel hose in the engine bay. [PRA 2006/8821](https://www.vehiclerecalls.gov.au/recalls/rec-000450) - Nov 2006: Built before 11 September 2006. Faulty rear seat belt buckle. [PRA 2006/8869](https://www.vehiclerecalls.gov.au/recalls/rec-000451) - Apr 2007: Factory LPG, built November 2006 to April 2007. Undersized O-rings in the LPG service valve hand tap. [PRA 2007/9185](https://www.vehiclerecalls.gov.au/recalls/rec-000455) - Jan 2008: 3.6 V6s, by VIN. A fuel line could rub on a vapour hose clip. [PRA 2008/9759](https://www.vehiclerecalls.gov.au/recalls/rec-000457) - Apr 2008: Former police and emergency cars built before 12 March 2008. Surveillance Mode could turn the headlights off. [PRA 2008/9988](https://www.vehiclerecalls.gov.au/recalls/rec-000459) - Dec 2009: 3.0 Omega, VIN 6G1EK##F#AL400777 to AL420262. Brake booster assistance may be missing after a cold start. [PRA 2009/11279](https://www.vehiclerecalls.gov.au/recalls/rec-000462) ### Which VE Series 1 years have the timing chain problem? GM's bulletin covers Alloytec V6s with engines built from January 2006 to 18 May 2007. VEs went on sale in August 2006, so that's roughly the first 10 months of VE V6s, and only some chains were affected. ### Is a 2008 VE safer than a 2006 VE? Usually yes. Side and curtain airbags became standard across the range from March 2008, and the Omega sedan moved to an ANCAP rating of 5 out of 5 from October 2008. ### Does the V8 avoid the chain problem? Yes. The bulletin is for Alloytec V6s only, though V8s have their own reports, including lifters, the 6L80 automatic and the early manual clutch. --- Shufti is an Australian used car inspection app for iPhone and Android that tailors the inspection to the exact car you're looking at. It is not affiliated with Shufti Pro, the identity verification (KYC) company. From the listing link, it builds every check around that car's make, model and year, odometer reading and the seller's description. 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