The brand has gone, but a claimed issue for the top-selling product has raised.

FOUR years on from its demise, Holden has returned to the news, with Commodore cars and Colorado utes being subject to a class-action suit for alleged transmission troubles.

Media in Australia reported this week that a  class-action suit has been launched against General Motors Australia and New Zealand for an alleged faulty transmission found in those products.

The Drive.com.au website says Maurice Blackburn, which calls itself Australia’s leading plaintiff law firm, is behind the suit.

It claims “hundreds of thousands” of Holdens sold here and in Australia are potentially affected and suggests owners “could be eligible for compensation”.

It is alleged that three automatic transmissions are faulty – the GM 6L45, 6L50 and 6L80 units – found across the Commodore VE, Commodore VF and Colorado ute, as well derivatives sharing major components. So the Calais, Commodore ute, Caprice, Colorado/Trailblazer seven-seater SUV.

Affected models were sold from January 1, 2011, but anyone who has acquired an aforementioned vehicle up to December 24, 2024 can register for the class action, according to the reports.

According to Maurice Blackburn, consumers are eligible to take action “if they have sold the vehicle, the vehicle has been written off, or they acquired an affected vehicle but have not experienced any problems with it” if ownership falls within the aforementioned timeframe.

Maurice Blackburn principal lawyer, Kimi Nishimura says the transmissions “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,” Nishimura has shared.

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

“The class action alleges that General Motors failed to comply with the guarantee of acceptable quality under the Australian Consumer Law and engaged in misleading and deceptive conduct.”

A General Motors Australia and New Zealand spokesperson told the Drive website that: “GM does not comment on ongoing litigation. GM stands by its commitment to achieving the best outcomes for Holden customers.”