Recalls: Holden JG Cruze
Overview
Manufacturers, or importers, issue recalls for defects or faults which have the potential to cause injury. Generally, manufacturers will inform the original buyers if their vehicle is subject to a recall and of the steps required to remedy the defect or fault. Please note that the recalls below (if any) are for Australian-delivered vehicles only. Furthermore, the number of recalls should not be taken as an indication of a model’s reliability or its safety more generally.
Recalls: Holden JG Cruze
2009-10 Holden JG Cruze: potential fuel leak
In March 2010, a recall was issued for Holden JG Cruze vehicles because the fuel feed hosemay not have been manufactured correctly at the swagged end of the fuel hose which met the fuel rail quick connector in the engine bay – this could potentially result in a fuel leak (PRA 2010/11504). The recalled Holden Cruze vehicles were in the following VIN ranges:
- KL3#A695JAK554176 to KL3#A695JAK638647; and,
- KL3#A695JAK650299 to KL3#A695JAK668855.
Holden JG Cruze: rear seat belts
In May 2011, a recall was issued for Holden JG Cruze vehicles due to the potentially unsafe operation of the rear seat belt anchor and buckle assemblies which could fail to properly restrain passengers in the driver’s side rear or centre seat. The recalled vehicles had VINs in the range KL3J#69#JAK764180 to KL3J#69#JAK771326 (PRA 2011/12549).
Holden JG Cruze Diesel: potential fuel leak
In December 2011, a recall was issued for JG Cruze vehicles with 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engines. For these vehicles, a potential manufacturing defect within the fuel feed hose could cause the hose to leak diesel fuel, creating a possible fire or hazard to other road users. The recalled Holden Cruze vehicles had VINs in the range KL3JA69RJAK501774 to KL3JF69RJAK744605 (PRA 2011/12941).
2009-11 Holden JG Cruze Diesel: drive shaft may separate
In July 2014, a recall was issued for Holden JG Cruze vehicles that had 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engines, automatic transmissions and were manufactured between 26 February 2009 and 31 December 2010. In these vehicles, the right hand drive shaft may separate due to over-extension in certain conditions – this may result in a loss of drive, posing an accident hazard to occupants and other road users. The recalled JG Cruze vehicles had VINs in the range KL3JF69RJAK501766 to KL3JA69RJAK770291 (PRA 2014/14199).
2009-11 Holden JG Cruze manual: park brake may not engage
In May 2015, a recall was issued for Holden JG Cruze sedans and hatchbacks that had manual transmissions and self-adjusting park brake systems. If the park brake lever was not applied as far as possible and the brakes were at a sufficiently elevated temperature, it is possible that vehicle may move after it has been parked – this could pose a risk or injury to persons or damage to property. The recalled JG Cruze vehicles were manufactured from 26 February 2009 to 23 February 2011 and had VINs in the range KL3JF695JAK504474 to KL3JF695JAK774718 (PRA 2015/14708).
2009-11 Holden JG Cruze Diesel: engine may stall
In May 2016, a recall was issued for Holden JG Cruze vehicles that had 2.0-litre diesel engines and were manufactured from 26 February 2009 to 22 February 2011. Over an extended period of time, fretting corrosion may develop in a wiring connector at the engine control module (ECM) – this could cause the engine to stall while the vehicle was stationary or while driving at low speed, posing an accident and injury risk. The recalled Holden JG Cruze vehicles had VINs in the range KL3JA69RJAK501774 to KL3JF69RJAK774710 (PRA 2016/15379).
2010-13 model year Holden JG/JH Cruze: Takata airbag recall
In June 2018, August 2018 and August 2019, recalls were issued for 2010-13 model year Holden JG/JH Cruze vehicles. The Takata driver’s airbag in these vehicles contained propellant wafers that could absorb moisture over time. In the event of a collision which triggered the driver’s airbag, excessive internal pressure could cause the metal airbag inflator housing to explode. This, in turn, would cause the metal fragments to be projected through the airbag cushion and into the cabin – these fragments posed a serious risk of injury and fatality. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2018/16856.
Problems and faults: Holden JG Cruze
Overview
This section identifies potential problems, causes and fixes based on the experiences of owners and repairers, online sources and technical service bulletins. This information is provided solely for reference purposes and AustralianCar.Reviews recommends that only properly qualified persons carry out repairs or modifications. Furthermore, the number of items below should not be taken as an indicator of a model’s reliability or the frequency with which they may occur.
To report a problem or fault to the AustralianCar.Reviews team, please use the Contact Us form. Note that AustralianCar.Reviews does not offer advice on automotive problems or disputes; such enquiries will not receive a reply. For vehicles purchased from dealers after 1 January 2011, please see our Australian Consumer Law fact sheet.
2009-11 Holden JG Cruze: GF6/6T40 automatic transmission failure
In November 2016, General motors initiated Special Coverage program 2022640 ZDSPP for 2011-13 Holden JH Cruze vehicles – with 1.8-litre petrol (2HO), 1.4-litre turbo petrol (LUJ) or 2.0-litre diesel (LLW/LNP) engines – that had six-speed GF6/6T40 automatic transmissions. According to the Special Coverage program, these vehicles may exhibit the following symptoms:
- Unable to engage reverse;
- Unable to engage forward gears;
- Slip or flare (i.e. engine speed increases without increase in vehicle speed) in forward or reverse gears;
- Illumination of the malfunction indicator light (MIL);
- Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P0776 found as an active or a history code in the Transmission Control Module (TCM); and,
- Loss of forward motion while driving.
If the transmission was diagnosed as needing only a component of the transmission to be replaced – such as the input/output speed sensor, TEHCM (Transmission Electro-Hydraulic Control Module), valve body, torque converter, torque converter seal or driveshaft seal – then only that component was to be replaced.
Where, however, diagnostic procedures confirmed a failed transmission and the transmission assembly needed to be replaced, then this repair was covered by the Special Coverage program for a period of five (5) years or 150,000 kilometres, whichever occurred first, from the date the vehicle first entered service, regardless or ownership.
Holden JG Cruze: oil cooler leak
The Holden JG Cruze has an oil cooler which can develop a crack that causes oil to enter the vehicle’s cooling system and radiator. Symptoms of an oil leak in the oil cooler include illumination of the oil level dashboard warning light and oil in the coolant overflow (or surge) tank. To determine if the oil cooler is leaking, a pressure test can be performed. To fix a leaking oil cooler, the oil cooler needs to be replaced and the cooling system flushed; the cost of an oil cooler kit is around $700.
Holden JG Cruze 1.8i: transmission fluid cooler leak
Holden JG Cruze 1.8i models with automatic transmissions have a transmission fluid cooler that is located inside the radiator and acts as a heat exchanger. The transmission fluid operates at a higher pressure than the cooling system and there have been cases of the transmission fluid cooler leaking in the radiator. If this occurs, the mixing of the automatic transmission fluid (ATF) and coolant produces a pink coloured oil slick.
To fix a leaking ATF cooler,
- The radiator has to be replaced;
- The cooling system has to be flushed to remove traces of the transmission fluid; and,
- The transmission fluid has to be replaced. If, however, coolant has entered the transmission, then the transmission may have been damaged.
Holden JG Cruze 1.8i: coil pack failure
For the Holden JG Cruze 1.8i, the coil pack is susceptible to failure. If this occurs, symptoms of a failed coil pack include:
- Cylinder misfires;
- The engine ‘runs rough’ or shakes; and,
- Illumination of the check engine light.
Holden Cruze Diesel: DPF regeneration
For Holden Cruze models with turbo-diesel engines, the vehicle may enter “limp home” mode if the diesel particulate filter (DPF) becomes clogged. To initiate the DPF’s automatic regeneration, the Holden Cruze requires sustained running with engine speeds above 2000 rpm.
Holden JG Cruze 1.8i: auto transmission software update
In July 2009, Holden introduced a software update for the six-speed GM 6T40 automatic transmission fitted to Cruze vehicles with 1.8-litre petrol engines. The software update was developed to provide smoother gearshifts under hard acceleration and when the engine was cold. At the time the update was introduced, it is understood that approximately 400 Cruze vehicles had been delivered to customers and that the remained were in dealer stock.
2009 Holden JG Cruze: coolant overflow (surge) tank leak
For the 2009 Holden JG Cruze, the coolant overflow (or surge) tank may develop a crack that causes coolant to leak; this, in turn, may cause the Cruze to overheat. It is understood that the surge tank was re-designed for 2010 Holden JG Cruze to include a brass insert in the plastic nozzle.
Holden JG Cruze 1.8i: camshaft oil flow tubes
After timing belt replacement or cylinder head repairs, it is important that the plastic oil flow tube at the front of each camshaft (i.e. behind the camshaft gear) is not omitted during re-assembly, since omission prevents adequate oil supply to the variable valve timing unit. This, in turn, causes the check engine light to illuminate and a loss of power throughout the rev range. For more information, see Holden Cruze camshaft/VVT problems.
Holden JG Cruze: other problems and faults
- The air conditioning may stop working due to a hole in the air conditioning condenser caused by debris entering the front grille.
- The plastic shields in each wheel arch are prone to splitting.
