Holden Colorado Problems: How to Inspect Before Buying

Shopping for a second-hand Holden Colorado? While this popular dual-cab ute is a staple of the Aussie tradie and touring scene, knowing what to inspect on a used car like the Colorado is crucial before handing over your hard-earned cash.

I recently performed a mobile pre-purchase inspection on the Holden Colorado pictured above at a dealership on Logan Road in Greenslopes. Situated right in the heart of the Southern Brisbane dealer hub, this vehicle was a classic example of the common faults I look for during my on-site assessments.

As an independent mechanic specialising in Brisbane Southside pre-purchase car inspections, I’ve seen these common “Colorado Woes” turn a bargain ute into a financial money pit. Here is my expert breakdown of the top 4 issues to check so you don’t buy a lemon.

Holden Colorado Problems and Issues:

Transmission Problems

Some common issues that can occur in a Holden Colorado with a 6-speed automatic transmission include rough shifting, slipping gears and sudden jerks. The major Holden Colorado transmission recall (REC-000495) was issued in September 2016 (affecting ~2,714 vehicles from the 2016 model year) for a transmission control module (TCM) software update regarding clutch slippage and shifting.

Outside of the recall, there have been complaints from Holden Colorado owners regarding transmission problems. Some of these include experiencing shifting during acceleration or deceleration, gear slippage when going uphill or towing a trailer, or jerking suddenly during gear shifts.

Holden Colorado Transmission Shudder – Fix Guide

The Honest Mechanic Colorado says,

This is caused by a problem with the torque converter. This is the most common issue with the Holden colorado and many owners have reported this problem.

But after watching the Holden Colorado Problems Playlist below, there’s a lot more to it.

Holden Colorado Problems Playlist

Watch the video by Wholesale Automatic Transmission titled: Holden Colorado Shudder! What went Wrong?

Holden Colorado Torque Converter Replacement Cost

If your Holden Colorado is shuddering during acceleration or deceleration, especially when towing, it could be a failing torque converter.

You can purchase a remanufactured Holden Colorado 6L50 Torque Converter* (eBay affiliate link) that’s been upgraded with Triple Billet Lock-Up Clutches to suit the 6L50E transmission. This high-performance replacement is ideal for reducing shudder and improving towing reliability.

Not sure what a torque converter is? It’s a fluid coupling that connects your engine to the transmission, allowing your vehicle to shift smoothly without a manual clutch.

When a torque converter fails, it may not transfer power efficiently, causing shuddering, slipping, or overheating – especially under load. Replacing a faulty unit can restore proper performance and prevent further transmission damage.

🔁 Recommended Torque Converters for Holden Colorado (6L50E)

✅ Tip: Always confirm compatibility with your exact model and year before purchase. Prices and availability may vary.

There are a few things that can cause a torque converter to fail, including:

• Low fluid level
• Contaminated fluid
• Worn or damaged seals
• Worn or damaged bearings

To help prevent transmission problems in your Holden Colorado:

1. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations regarding fluid and filter changes for your transmission.
2. Avoid aggressive shifting or heavy stop-and-go driving while hauling heavy loads.
3. Avoid towing beyond the vehicle’s rated capacity (3,500 kg braked) and ensure the transmission fluid is serviced more frequently if towing regularly.
4. If you notice any signs of transmission issues, it is crucial to bring your vehicle to an authorised dealership for assessment or to an automatic transmission specialist.

These steps should assist in maintaining the functioning of your vehicle’s transmission system and minimise the risk of encountering complications in the future.

By following these suggestions, you can ensure that the transmission lasts longer and avoid incurring repair costs or, even worse, the cost of a reconditioned or new automatic transmission.

Deep Dive: Holden Colorado Rear Main Seal Leaks & FAQ

If you are having an oil loss problem in a 2016 diesel Colorado (or a similar Duramax-powered model), pinpointing the source quickly is critical. The 2.8L Duramax diesel engine is a workhorse, but like any heavy-duty engine, high kilometres or crankcase pressure can lead to weeping rear main oil seals.

Below are the most critical answers to common questions about diagnosing and fixing this issue.

How do you know if your rear main seal is leaking oil?

The most definitive telltale sign on a Duramax Colorado is where the oil accumulates:

1. Drips at the Bellhousing: Oil will run down and gather at the lowest point where the engine meets the transmission.
2. Oil inside the Hatch Cover: Your vehicle features a removable rubber inspection hatch cover that allows access to the flywheel. If you’ve got oil coming out of it, it’s probably the rear main seal slinging engine oil inside the housing. Popping out the bellhousing rubber bung allows you to run an inspection probe inside. Using a borescope camera during a pre-purchase inspection lets you confirm if oil is slinging directly off the flywheel or flexplate.
3. Unexplained Oil Drop: You notice you are routinely adding oil between services without seeing any visible leaks on top of the engine bay.

What can be mistaken for a rear main seal leak?

Because gravity pulls all fluid downward toward the rear of the engine, several higher leaks can mimic a rear main seal failure:

• Sump / Oil Pan Gasket Leak: A weeping sump gasket right near the rear arch will drop oil in the same spot.
• Rocker Cover or Camshaft Cover Leak: Oil leaking from the top of the engine can run down the back of the engine block and drip off the bellhousing, making it look like an internal seal failure.
• Transmission Input Shaft Seal: A leak from the torque converter or transmission input seal drops fluid in the same location, though it is usually reddish/pinkish ATF rather than dark engine oil.
• Vacuum Pump / Turbo Oil Drain Lines: On modern turbo-diesels, oil leaking from turbo supply lines or the vacuum pump can stream down the firewall side of the block.

Pro Tip: Always clean the rear of the engine with degreaser and inspect high-up components before pulling the gearbox.

Is it worth fixing a rear main seal leak?

Yes, in almost all cases. While the part itself is inexpensive, a severe leak can lead to catastrophic engine damage if oil levels drop too low. Furthermore, oil leaking inside the bellhousing can contaminate surrounding components or damage electrical sensors over time.

Mechanic’s Tip for Manual Owners: If your Colorado has a manual transmission and the rear main seal is only weeping slightly, it is often best to hold off until your clutch is due for replacement. Because dropping the gearbox accounts for nearly all the labour cost, replacing the rear main oil seal when doing a clutch job saves you over $1,000 in duplicate labour.

Can you still drive a car if the rear main seal is leaking?

Short-term: Yes, provided the leak is just a light weep or seep. You must monitor your oil dipstick constantly and top it up as needed.

Long-term: Driving with a heavy rear main leak is risky. If the seal fails, it can dump several litres of oil in minutes, causing immediate engine failure.

What is the best thing to stop a rear main seal leak?

• The Permanent Fix: Replacing the seal with an original equipment (OE) replacement part.
• Chemical Stop-Leak Additives: Products like oil stop-leak additives condition and swell rubber seals. While these might slow down a minor seepage temporarily, they are only a short-term band-aid and rarely fix a heavily worn or hardened rear main seal on a turbo-diesel.
• PCV Valve Check: Ensure your Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) system isn’t clogged. Excessive crankcase pressure will force oil past even a brand-new rear main seal.

How much does it cost to replace a rear main seal leak?

The seal itself is relatively cheap (often between $30 and $90 AUD), but the labour cost is high.

Replacing a rear main seal on a 4WD 2016 Holden Colorado requires removing the driveshaft, crossmembers and dropping the heavy transmission/transfer case out of the vehicle.

• Estimated Labour: 6 to 9 hours of shop time.
• Total Estimated Cost: Typically ranges between $1,200 and $2,200+ AUD in labour and parts, depending on workshop rates and whether you replace the rear main seal wear sleeve and transmission input seals at the same time.

Dreaded Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) Clogs

Yes, there have been reports of DPF blockages in Holden Colorados. DPFs are designed to capture soot particles from the exhaust gas. They can become obstructed if they are not regularly regenerated. Regeneration involves burning off the soot particles in the DPF.

Several factors can contribute to DPF blockages in Holden Colorado Utes

• Driving distances: DPFs require regeneration temperatures, which can only be achieved when the vehicle is driven at high speeds for an extended period. If your Colorado is only used for short, suburban trips, the DPF may not have time to regenerate properly, leading to a buildup of soot particles.
• EGR valve issues: The EGR valve recirculates some exhaust gas back into the engine. If this valve malfunctions, it can cause a clog in the DPF.
• Incorrect engine oil usage (non-low SAPS oils).

If your Holden Colorado ute experiences a DPF blockage, you may encounter these symptoms:

• Decreased engine power
• Increased fuel consumption
• Illumination of a warning light on the dashboard

To avoid any clogs, here are a few suggestions:

• Make sure you drive regularly. This will aid in the regeneration process. Help burn off any soot particles.
• It’s essential to have your DPF checked at intervals by the dealership. They can inspect it for any signs of clogging and clean it if needed.
• Always use the recommended low-ash engine oil as specified by the manufacturer.
• Try to steer clear of stop-and-go traffic whenever possible, as it can prevent the DPF from reaching the required regeneration temperatures.

By following these recommendations, you’ll be able to prolong the lifespan of your Holden Colorado DPF and avoid repairs down the line.

Rust and Corrosion Woes

In a coastal city like Brisbane, rust is a silent killer for utes. While Holden never issued an official safety recall for chassis paint or rust, I still find significant corrosion on vehicles that have spent time near the Redlands coast or have been used for beach trips to Moreton or Straddie.

Apart from environmental fallout or warranty claims, I’ve seen “hidden” rust in these areas during my Southern Brisbane inspections:

• Underbody/Chassis (especially near the rear shackles)
• The “inner” wheel arches (hidden by plastic liners)
• Door sills and tailgate lips

We bought a 2013 BRAND NEW HOLDEN COLORADO 7 which we had for 2-3 weeks, we started to notice small orange looking rust spots on all panels, this same problem we have noticed on the Holden Cruze & Colorado Ute models, Holden Dealers call this FALLOUT, this problem was put back onto us as to where we live. The Holden Dealer we brought from do not warrant this problem after repair, so if & when the rust spots reappear it would be our cost to repair. Please check your cars, the white colours show up this problem more clearly.

ProductReview

If you tow, travel off-road or carry heavy loads in your Colorado, a portable tyre inflator is one of the most useful accessories you can carry. See our guide to the Best Portable Tyre Inflators in Australia.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common problems with a Holden Colorado?

The four most frequent issues reported on used Holden Colorados are:

• Automatic Transmission Shudder & Slippage: Often tied to torque converter wear or outdated software in the 6-speed 6L50E automatic.
• Rear main oil seal leaking: Pop out the rubber bung and insert an endoscope/borescope (or use a torch) to check if oil is slinging from the rear main seal onto the flexplate/flywheel.
• DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) Clogging: Caused by short, suburban driving trips preventing the exhaust system from reaching self-cleaning temperatures.
• Chassis & Body Rust: Particularly on 2012–2016 models with thin factory paint protection or utes used in coastal areas and beach driving.

What causes the Holden Colorado transmission shudder?

Transmission shudder during acceleration or towing is usually caused by lock-up clutch slippage inside the torque converter. Contaminated transmission fluid, low fluid levels, or worn internal seals accelerate this failure. Upgrading to a heavy-duty remanufactured torque converter with triple billet lock-up clutches is a common permanent fix.

How do I know if my Colorado DPF is clogged?

Common symptoms of a blocked DPF include a noticeable drop in engine power, higher fuel consumption, and the DPF warning light illuminating on the instrument cluster. Taking the vehicle for regular highway runs allows the exhaust to reach higher temperatures needed to burn off trapped soot.

Did the Holden Colorado have a factory recall for rust?

No. Holden never issued an official safety recall for rust or chassis paint issues on the Colorado. Official recalls on the Colorado were issued for safety items like transmission software, alternator wiring, and seatbelts. Rust issues, particularly on earlier 2012–2016 models or coastal vehicles, were typically treated as cosmetic or warranty claims rather than safety defects.

Is it worth getting a pre-purchase inspection on a used Holden Colorado?

Absolute requirement. A mobile pre-purchase inspection checks hidden areas like frame rust, scans transmission fault codes, tests DPF saturation levels, checks for oil leaks and verifies whether safety recall repairs were actually performed before you sign a contract.