‘Misleading’: Holden being sued over popular cars

The car giant is facing legal action related to its best-selling models, with Holden owners possibly in line for a payout. See why and if you’re eligible.

Exclusive: Hundreds of thousands of Holden owners could be in line for a payout, as the car giant is challenged over allegedly faulty transmissions fitted to its best-selling models including the Commodore and Colorado.

Leading law firm Maurice Blackburn launched a class action against General Motors Holden Australia and New Zealand this week on behalf of Holden owners who bought an impacted model between January 1, 2011 and December 24, 2024.

Owners of best-selling models including the Commodore VE, Commodore VF and Colorado can register to be part of the Holden Transmission Class Action if their car was purchased in the required date range and equipped with a GM 6L 45, GM 6L 50 and GM 6L 80 transmission.

The class action has been filed in the Federal Court of Australia with support from litigation funder Balance Legal Capital.

Holden owners could be in line for a payout, including those who own the popular Commodore.

Maurice Blackburn principal lawyer, Kimi Nishimura, said its class action alleges that the transmission systems in the affected Holden vehicles are defective due to a design fault in the torque converter and torque converter clutch.

"Because of the alleged defect, car owners have experienced problems with their vehicles including intermittent transmission shudders, excessive vibrations and harsh gear shifts,” Ms Nishimura said.

"Owners of the affected vehicles have also reported leakage of automatic transmission fluid, accelerated degradation of transmission system components and greater servicing requirements.”

Ms Nishimura said the class action alleges that General Motors failed to comply with Australian Consumer Law and it had "engaged in misleading and deceptive conduct’’.

Maurice Blackburn launched a class action against General Motors Holden Australia and New Zealand this week on behalf of Holden owners who bought an impacted model between January 1, 2011 and December 24, 2024.

“For most Australians, cars are one of their biggest investments, and consumers are entitled to expect that the cars they buy are free from defects,’’ she said.

“Through this class action, we are seeking to recover compensation for those consumers who experienced loss and damage related to the transmission system in the affected vehicles.”

Ms Nishimura said car owners do not need to register or sign up to be a group member in the class action.

But she encouraged people to register so the firm could keep them updated about the progress of the case.

She said even if a consumer had sold their car, it had been written off or they had acquired a car and had not experienced difficulties, they could still register for the class action.

A GM spokesperson declined to comment on the class action.

“GM does not comment on ongoing litigation. GM stands by its commitment to achieving the best outcomes for Holden customers.”

Originally published as ‘Misleading’: Holden being sued over popular cars