Used VE Series 2 Commodore (2010–2013): Problems and Which Years to Buy
What's reported on the Holden VE Commodore built from September 2010 to 2013, which build dates matter, and what to check at the car.
Engines
- 3.0 SIDI V6 LFW flex-fuel
- 3.6 SIDI V6 LLT, then LFX from Nov 2011
- 3.6 LPG V6 LW2 to 2011, LWR from Feb 2012
- 6.0 V8 L77
Gearboxes
- V6 automatics 6L50, then 6L45 from Nov 2011
- V8 automatics 6L80
Last updated
Common Problems on a Used VE Series 2 Commodore
The main reports on a VE Series 2 Commodore are carbon build-up on the direct-injection V6s, 6L80 automatic slip and low oil pressure on the V8s, and a run of recalls on LPG cars. The early V6 timing-chain bulletin doesn't reach these cars, so their risks differ from a Series 1.
Is a VE Series 2 Commodore reliable?
Nothing reported on the Series 2 matches the early V6 chain problem, but that isn't proof of fewer faults. These cars are still 13 to 16 years old. An LPG car needs its recalls confirmed, and on any car the service history tells you more than the year.
VE Series 2 Commodore Problems by Engine and Build Date
What's reported on cars built September 2010 to 2013. It's what has been reported, not what every car has, and the number of items isn't a measure of reliability. Tap a problem to see which cars it covers and how to check it.
Source
- Manufacturer bulletin
- Automotive community
- Shufti vehicle database, owner feedback
Problem type
- Safety critical
- Negotiate
V6 engines
Carbon build-up on the intake valves of direct-injection V6s
Shufti vehicle database, owner feedbackFrom Shufti's own fault records, built from research, owner complaints and feedback.Click to see the sourceNegotiateCosts money to fix, from wear to major repairs. Use it as negotiation leverage.
- Covers
- All petrol V6s in this range.
- What it means
- These direct-injection V6s 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?
Brief hesitation or flutter while driving
Manufacturer bulletinThe maker has written to its workshops about this fault, sometimes for the same car sold overseas.Click to see the sourceNegotiateCosts money to fix, from wear to major repairs. Use it as negotiation leverage.
- Covers
- LFW, LLT and LFX V6s, in bulletins covering cars up to 2012.
- What it means
- 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.
Torque converter shudder on the 3.0-litre
Shufti vehicle database, owner feedbackFrom Shufti's own fault records, built from research, owner complaints and feedback.Click to see the sourceNegotiateCosts money to fix, from wear to major repairs. Use it as negotiation leverage.
- Covers
- About 500 cars with the 3.0-litre SIDI V6, built in 2013.
- What it means
- The converter needed replacing on those cars.
- What to check
- At a steady 60–80 km/h on light throttle, feel for a shudder like driving over a rumble strip.
- Ask the seller
- Has the torque converter been replaced?
V8 engines
Low oil pressure from a sticking relief valve
Manufacturer bulletinThe maker has written to its workshops about this fault, sometimes for the same car sold overseas.Click to see the sourceSafety criticalAffects how safely it drives or protects you in a crash. Best to have a mechanic check it before you buy.
- Covers
- L77 V8s, in a bulletin covering 2007–13 model years.
- What it means
- Symptoms can come and go as the engine cools. The fix is a new oil pump, so don't ignore an oil pressure warning.
- What to check
- Watch the oil pressure warning at idle once the engine is warm, and listen for engine noise.
- Ask the seller
- Has the oil pump been replaced?
Slip or no fourth, fifth or sixth gear
Manufacturer bulletinThe maker has written to its workshops about this fault, sometimes for the same car sold overseas.Click to see the sourceNegotiateCosts money to fix, from wear to major repairs. Use it as negotiation leverage.
- Covers
- SS automatics with the 6L80. Bulletin PI0773 lists the 2008–09 Pontiac G8.
- What it means
- 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.
Hydraulic lifter noise or failure on the V8s
Automotive communityReported by owners, mechanics and motoring reviewers.Click to see the sourceNegotiateCosts money to fix, from wear to major repairs. Use it as negotiation leverage.
- Covers
- L77 V8s.
- What it means
- 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
Shufti vehicle database, owner feedbackFrom Shufti's own fault records, built from research, owner complaints and feedback.Click to see the source
- Covers
- V8s, with no year limit given.
- What it means
- You can't see this at a viewing, so service history and how the engine sounds are your best guide.
All engines
Radiators wearing at the plastic end tanks
Shufti vehicle database, owner feedbackFrom Shufti's own fault records, built from research, owner complaints and feedback.Click to see the sourceNegotiateCosts money to fix, from wear to major repairs. Use it as negotiation leverage.
- Covers
- V6s and V8s, with no year limit given.
- What it means
- 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
Shufti vehicle database, owner feedbackFrom Shufti's own fault records, built from research, owner complaints and feedback.Click to see the sourceNegotiateCosts money to fix, from wear to major repairs. Use it as negotiation leverage.
- Covers
- All VEs, with V6s named most often.
- What it means
- 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
Shufti vehicle database, owner feedbackFrom Shufti's own fault records, built from research, owner complaints and feedback.Click to see the sourceNegotiateCosts money to fix, from wear to major repairs. Use it as negotiation leverage.
- Covers
- All VEs.
- What it means
- 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
Shufti vehicle database, owner feedbackFrom Shufti's own fault records, built from research, owner complaints and feedback.Click to see the sourceNegotiateCosts money to fix, from wear to major repairs. Use it as negotiation leverage.
- Covers
- All VEs.
- What it means
- 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.
Found one of these? How to use it in your offer
Which VE Series 2 Commodore Years to Avoid?
No Series 2 year stands out as one to avoid. Take most care with LPG cars, where several recalls apply, and with 2013 3.0-litre cars if you feel a shudder.
Our shortlist
On what's reported, a petrol car with full service records is the simplest buy here. Between years, choose on condition and kilometres.
What changed, by build date
- Good better for a buyer
- Mixed upsides and downsides
- Bad a problem to check
- Unknown effect not clear
Series 2 on sale: new interior, facelift and flex-fuel 3.0 V6 and L77 V8. Safety equipment largely unchanged.
LPG cars built after 10 February 2011 are covered by two recalls.
LFX replaces LLT, 6L45 replaces 6L50, and the 3.0 gets a revised torque converter.
Dedicated LPG LWR engine replaces the dual-fuel LW2, with an 84-litre tank and no spare wheel.
Wiper motor recall covers cars built in this window.
Age, typical kilometres and warranty
Use these to judge whether a car's odometer looks normal for its age, and whether any new-car warranty is left.
- 13–16 yrsAge
- 160,000–200,000 kmTypical
- EndedNew-car warranty
Kilometres are at the Australian average of about 12,600 km a year. Well above that means harder use; well below, ask why.
Safety ratings
Crash ratings can differ by body style and build date, so match the rating to the car you're looking at.
- 4 out of 5, Used Car Safety Ratings 2025[11] VE, 2006–13, from real-world crashes
- ANCAP 5 out of 5 (2009) All sedans built September 2009 to 2013
- ANCAP 5 out of 5 (2009) All Sportwagons built September 2009 to 2013
- ANCAP 5 out of 5 (2010) All utes built September 2009 to April 2013
VE Series 2 Commodore Recalls to Confirm
Enter the VIN on vehiclerecalls.gov.au and ask for proof the work was done. The car in front of you may not be in every group. Also see our vehicle checks and PPSR guides.
| Issued | Covers | Problem | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 2013 | LPG, built 12 December 2012 to 13 May 2013 | Wrong vaporiser spring: engine may stall and not restart | PRA 2013/13682 |
| Jun 2014 | Built 27 February to 31 October 2013 | Wiper motor may fail | PRA 2014/14168 |
| Jul 2014 | LPG, built after 10 February 2011 | Excess flow valve may restrict fuel, so the engine won't rev | PRA 2014/14189 |
| Jul 2017 | LPG, built after 10 February 2011 | If the vaporiser was serviced, a loose ground could cause a fuel leak or fire | PRA 2017/16205 |
VE Series 2 Commodore Questions
Do VE Series 2 V6s have timing chain problems?
GM's chain bulletin stops at engines built on 18 May 2007, before the Series 2. Chains can still wear with poor servicing, so listen on a cold start anyway.
Is the VE Series 2 LPG worth buying?
Check it carefully. Three recalls cover LPG Series 2 cars, so confirm each by VIN. It also needs a current tank test, and the dedicated LPG car has no spare wheel.
Is the Series 2 safer than the Series 1?
Safety equipment was largely unchanged, but a Series 2 has the 5 out of 5 ratings that apply from September 2009, while early Series 1 cars rated lower.
Inspecting a VE Series 2 Commodore?
We know that's a lot of information to keep track of at an inspection. That's why there's Shufti.
All you have to do is run a Tailored check. It builds the checks for the exact car, looks up its recalls and PPSR, analyses your photos, estimates repair costs, and gives you a negotiation coach that makes the most of your leverage. Or start with the free Holden Commodore General inspection guide: work through it on your phone at the car, capturing images and audio and noting what you find.
Scan to get the app
Own a Holden Commodore? Tell Us What You've Found
Had a fault, a repair or a good run with yours? Your report helps other buyers know what to check. We use what you tell us as facts in our own words, and never publish your name or email.
Own a Holden Commodore? Tell Us What You've Found
Had a fault, a repair or a good run with yours? Your report helps other buyers know what to check. We use what you tell us as facts in our own words, and never publish your name or email.
Sources
Each icon shows how a fault is supported: a manufacturer bulletin, the automotive community, or Shufti's vehicle database and owner feedback. Facts come from Shufti's own database, and we cite known external sources. GM's bulletins are written for US models, so they name the Pontiac G8 and Chevrolet SS and Caprice, the export versions of these cars, not Holden.
- Shufti. (2026). Shufti vehicle database: Holden Commodore, 2006–2017.
- Shufti. (2026). Shufti analysis of owner complaints lodged with vehicle safety regulators.
- General Motors. (2012). PI0090E: Intermittent engine hesitation or flutter without DTC.
- General Motors. (2012). PI0773: Diagnostic tips for DTC P0796, slip or no 4th, 5th or 6th gear.
- General Motors. (2013). PIP4158G: Low oil pump pressure due to sticking oil pressure relief valve.
- General Motors. (2016). PIP4568S: Tick noise and/or misfires on AFM cylinders.
- Vehicle Recalls. (2014). REC-000486: Holden VE/VF Commodore & WM/WN Caprice 2011-2014, PRA 2014/14189.
- Vehicle Recalls. (2013). REC-000478: GM Holden - Holden VE COMMODORE & WM CAPRICE, PRA 2013/13682.
- Vehicle Recalls. (2014). REC-000485: GENERAL MOTORS AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND PTY LTD - Holden COMMODORE AND CAPRICE 2011 - 2014, PRA 2014/14168.
- Vehicle Recalls. (2017). REC-000533: GM Holden Ltd - Holden Commodore, Ute, Wagon & Caprice 2011 - 2015, PRA 2017/16205.
- Transport for NSW. (2025). Used Car Safety Ratings 2025.
Disclaimer. Shufti is not affiliated with or endorsed by Holden or General Motors; Holden and Commodore are trademarks of General Motors LLC. Figures are counts from Shufti's analysis of official records and published reports, not a statement that any particular vehicle is affected. This checklist is general information only and is not professional, mechanical, legal or financial advice. It covers common checks, not every possible fault, and a car can pass every item here and still have problems. It is not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection by a qualified mechanic, which is worth considering before you buy, especially if anything tagged Safety critical turns up. Repair costs vary widely; get your own quotes. Roadworthy, registration and transfer rules differ by state, so check with your state road authority. Private sales generally don't come with the consumer guarantees that apply when you buy from a dealer. You use this checklist at your own risk and, to the extent permitted by law, Shufti accepts no liability for any loss, damage or injury arising from its use.