VN Commodore Common Issues

Commodore Home

VN Commodore

VN VP VR VS Commodore Repair Manual

The VN Commodore changed Holden forever. When it launched in 1988, it was bigger, faster and far more modern than the VK/VL Commodores that came before it. Australians suddenly had a family sedan with genuine straight-line performance, loads of interior space and the now-famous Buick-sourced 3.8-litre V6 under the bonnet.

And people absolutely bought into it.

Even today, the VN still has a cult following. Walk through any Holden event and you’ll still see VN SS replicas, turbocharged V6 street cars and original Calais models being carefully restored.

Most surviving VNs have lived rough lives. Some have done half a million kilometres. Others have survived generations of questionable modifications and backyard repairs.

Here are the most common VN Commodore problems owners and buyers should know about.

1. Cooling System Problems

If you’re buying a VN Commodore, the cooling system should be one of the very first things you inspect.

The Buick 3.8-litre V6 is famously tough, but overheating can destroy them surprisingly quickly. Unfortunately, ageing cooling components are one of the biggest problems on surviving VNs.

Radiators crack, hoses perish, thermostats fail and water pumps eventually wear out after decades of heat cycles.

Common symptoms

  • Overheating
  • Coolant leaks
  • Steam from engine bay
  • Sweet coolant smell
  • Heater problems

Many VNs are still running ancient cooling system parts that should’ve been replaced years ago.

Related guide

2. Automatic Transmission Problems

The VN’s automatic transmission is generally durable, but age and abuse eventually catch up with everything.

A huge number of VNs lived hard lives:

  • towing trailers
  • doing burnouts
  • surviving years of neglected servicing
  • sitting in stop-start traffic as taxis

By now, many transmissions are simply tired.

Common symptoms

  • Slipping gears
  • Delayed shifting
  • Harsh gear changes
  • Transmission shudder
  • Fluid leaks

A healthy VN auto should still shift smoothly without major hesitation.

Related guide

3. Oil Leaks

Old Holdens leaking oil is practically a tradition, and the VN is no exception.

The Buick V6 itself is incredibly strong mechanically, but ageing seals and gaskets eventually start leaking from almost every direction.

Most leaks begin small, but years of neglect can turn the underside of a VN into an oil-coated mess.

Common leak areas include:

  • rocker cover gaskets
  • sump gaskets
  • rear main seals
  • timing cover seals

Common symptoms

  • Oil spots under the car
  • Burning oil smell
  • Dirty engine bay
  • Smoke near exhaust manifolds

Many owners simply accept small leaks as part of old Holden ownership.

Related guide

4. Suspension & Steering Wear

The VN was praised for its ride comfort back in the late ’80s, but worn suspension can make them feel vague and sloppy today.

After decades on Australian roads, most surviving VNs now have tired:

  • shock absorbers
  • control arm bushes
  • sway bar links
  • steering components

Lowered cars usually suffer even more wear again.

Common symptoms

  • Loose steering feel
  • Clunking noises
  • Uneven tyre wear
  • Steering vibration
  • Poor ride quality

A proper suspension refresh can completely transform how a VN drives.

Related guide

5. Power Steering Leaks

Power steering leaks are another classic VN Commodore issue.

As hoses and seals age, leaks begin appearing around the steering rack and pump. Many owners first notice the problem after finding red fluid stains underneath the car.

Common symptoms

  • Heavy steering
  • Whining noises while turning
  • Power steering fluid leaks
  • Steering shudder at low speeds

Ignoring low fluid levels can eventually damage the pump completely.

Related guide

6. Electrical Problems

VN Commodores were built during an era when Holden electrics weren’t exactly famous for perfection.

Now add nearly four decades of:

  • alarm installs
  • stereo wiring
  • backyard modifications
  • ageing wiring looms

…and electrical gremlins become pretty common.

Owners regularly report:

  • central locking failures
  • faulty dashboard lights
  • intermittent starting problems
  • power window faults
  • battery drain issues

Common symptoms

  • Flat batteries
  • Electrical accessories failing randomly
  • Starting issues
  • Flickering interior lights
  • Random warning lights

Poor earth connections are responsible for a surprising number of weird VN electrical problems.

Related guide

7. Interior Wear & Sagging Roof Linings

Time has not been gentle on VN interiors.

Australian heat destroys roof lining adhesive, dashboards crack, plastics become brittle and seat bolsters wear through badly on high-kilometre cars.

Finding a truly tidy original VN interior is becoming genuinely difficult now.

Common symptoms

  • Sagging roof lining
  • Cracked plastics
  • Loose interior trim
  • Interior rattles
  • Worn seat fabric

The good news is that retrim kits and reproduction parts are becoming more popular as VN values rise.

Related guide

8. Fuel Pump Failures

Fuel pumps are another common issue on ageing VN Commodores.

Many original pumps are now well beyond their intended lifespan, and failures are becoming increasingly common — especially on cars that sit unused for long periods.

Common symptoms

  • Hard starting
  • Sudden stalling
  • Engine cutting out
  • Fuel pump whining noise
  • No-start condition

Heat and old fuel can accelerate pump failure significantly.

Related guide

Is the VN Commodore Reliable?

Despite all the common issues, the VN Commodore is still regarded as one of Holden’s toughest cars.

The Buick V6 earned a reputation for surviving enormous kilometres, parts are still relatively affordable, and mechanical simplicity makes these cars easy to work on compared to modern vehicles.

The VN Commodore represents a huge turning point in Australian motoring history. It brought proper performance and modern engineering to the masses, and decades later it still has a loyal following.

Right Now on eBay VN Commodore
Loading…

VN VP VR VS Commodore Repair Manual