Holden Viva JF (2005-2009) (page 2 of 5)

Great car just the one fault occasional stalls at lights etc, common fault I'm told however variations on the fix are vague, I've pulled the throttle body apart and thoroughly cleaned, replaced fuel and fuel filter, plugs, been told having the engine reflashed by computer can solve it plus most other common faults, just unsure which way to go, any specifics appreciated. Cheers

Hi my 08 viva wagon idle got alittle ruffer evey day and then today started to run on 2-3 cylinders traced it back to right hand side of thottle body pcl valve black siemens valve looked and behaved normal but the plastic holding the screw out plunger had like all holdens plastic craped out letting plunger to stay in air mixture hole causing bad then no idle hope this helps .

While not a powerful car (really rumbled going up steep hills!), my viva was the best car I've driven. It offered an uncomplicated driving experience, combined with all the comforts you could ask for in its class. Smooth and reliable. Easy, affordable care. Big storage and a good stock radio/stereo system. It's perfect for small families and I would really recommend it to anyone with a modest budget.

I think i am like the 4th owner ive only needed to get the crank sensor cable replaced because it was having problems with idling. So reliable !!! I love it !! I even named it vivian its such a great car. I think i got lucky with it though i have seen some complaints about the 2006 model. But i recommend buying a car like this of a person you can trust :)

I will never buy a Holden again, I purchased my Holden Viva 2006 on 2007 brand new so excited I saved for 6 years prior (first brand new car) was Fine for 18 months then issues with the steering wheel, my car had a mine of its own It veered to the left constantly on the road whilst driving was advised by the dealer's specialist mechanic that I had too many roundabouts where I lived that is why ( no joke) if I did not hold the steering well enough it constantly veered to its left. took it back to Paul Wakelling the dealer and they palmed me of...

Purchased the Viva 06 as a second car, Now it's the main car and love it. I drive a lot and no problem.
Some people, like with all cars owners, there are some weaknesses. Yes I had a coil problem, $40.00 from the wreckers and 20 minutes later. Yeehaa, go's like a rocket. Nice car to drive. Looks fantastic.

Bought my Holden Viva 2006 from a car yard about 9months ago.. since then have had nothing but problems. Engine light has been on since ive taken it to car shops to get it checked and they dont even know what the problem is!! It stalls on me when my revs are to low so have to pretty much keep reving it when i come to a stop so it dont cut out on me. Stalls at round a bouts. Because i have to slow down. Pretend much a lemon. Would not recommend this car for anyone to buy! Sad thing is i used all my savings to buy this dam car. Worst thing ever terrible on fuel as well

I brought a bland new manual Viva in 2006 always had it service at Holden, traveled 432,000kms before hitting a kangaroo. I would be still driving it, only issues was a broken plastic fitting on fuel line, tension pulleys, idle pulley normal wear and tear for the amount of traveling.

2008 viva wagon I have been the only owner. Have traveled much over Australia with it and it still runs well. It is serviced regularly and is economical to run. Have had no major mechanical problems with it however the paint work in the last couple of years is beginning to flake away particularly around the door handles. I still love it and will probably keep it for a few more years.

Don't buy second hand. I bought a month ago. Transmission is terrible, warning lights like engine and airbag lights stay on and off by itself. Engine roared, looses transmission power while driving. I am so scared to drive this on highways. I have spend more than $500/on this. Terrible car.

Previously owned very expensive cars.. When I left work to have children looked at a car for space, that was economical, and great value. I found it in the Viva. I have a manual. Had it now for 8 years.. never any trouble, cost p.a. for service approx. $300 per year. Breaks fixed once in 9 years, new battery once in 9 years. Best car for me ever! Admittedly I don't do a lot of long distance driving. So economical with E10 petrol. Couldn't be happier. It is getting old now and probably time for a new car which I am so sad about. I love ...

Mine is a 2005 model and I purchased it as second owner in 2006. Did not have any problem with it other than a slight oil leak and a squeaky brake sound while reversing. Recently took the car for service to ultratunes for a normal service. They said that the next major service is almost due and can combine it up so that I need not worry for another 6 months and got a bill for $950. And then problems started one by one. Ultratunes would not accept any responsibility. First it was the dashboard light not turning on which I got fixed by another me...

Brought this car about two years ago and have had nothing but problems engine light is always on no matter how many times it goes to the mechanic, stalls at intersections regularly which has nearly caused accidents, leaks oil ( rocker cover gasket been replaced twice but still leaks), gutless engine power, don't even bother with a/c, chews through fuel like a truck, headlights are very weak, paint wears of door handle I could go on for ever, this car is a unsafe disgrace stay away.

Bought the car recently, used 2006 MODEL low kms !! after one week of purchased the car had a problem every couple of months my mechanic told me that this model will always have problems and to sell it immediately. The gear box completely shut down. It became completely unroad worthy. Apparently Daewoo made the Viva for Holden .. Disgusting would never buy a Holden car again. Cost more to repair and still there was ongoing problems. STAY AWAY!!!!

Brought 2007 viva with 93000ks clocked up 10000ks in 8 weeks as use it for work travells 240kms a day, 6 days a week, now has 103000kms on it mainly freeway driving. Ran a bit rough at first but now runs great. Think constant speed on freeway is good for it keeps everything clean and functuing. Just replaced timing belt used full kit including water pump now runs even better seems to have reduced engine lag giving it much smoother gear shift. Cheers!

I bought my Holden Viva 2006 station wagon off the internet. My own fault I didn't get it checked pre purchase I know but after noticing a few problems I started searching for fixes and similarities. What I have noticed is that there is a VERY common problem with the transmission causing loss of power. Somewhere out there I found a thread that suggested the inhibitor switch needed replacing. I had this done for around $300 at the local auto mechanics and have not had the same problem since.
Second issue everyone, including me is having is the ...

Purchased brand new and serviced exactly as recommended. Has done 112,000 km's.
Now have major transmission issues. Is not there all the time is very unpredictable and is always when on open highway (drives OK in neighbourhood 60 zones) Car suddenly rev's very high and looses power.
Previous issues include: Warning lights coming and going. They come on for a day or so and just as your about to book it in to see what the problem is it stops.
Air con switch wouldn't stay on (this was caused by leaking gas) when gas is low it's programmed to not stay on.
I won't ever buy a Holden again

Purchased a 2006,model in March 2008 20,000 km . Issues with Airbag light, ASB Light indicator, engine ticking, engine went into idle unexpectedly, There were arguments with Holden Newmarket service department in Auckland NZ. Some issues were fixed within the 3 year warranty, others they wanted to charge. This vehicle is not up to standard with a Holden badge and as a consumer Holden NZ is accountable regardless of a 3 year warranty. Thank god I have company cars so the wife can use mine weekends & evenings. Time to change to Nissan / Toyota for a small vehicle.

I purchased my car new as an ex-demo model early 2009. Went fine for first 12 months, then have had trouble with dashboard warning lights coming on ever since. Have had it towed to Holden twice as all power goes from it, but they can't seem to fix the problem. They must know about this issue as other people have mentioned it here, but they take my money and send me on my way with the problem to just come back. Disconnecting the battery to clear it helps, but it always returns. Also have airbag warning light on, colour gone off handles, engine oil leaks, coil replaced, bad fuel consumption. I only drive this car to work and back, and a bit of run around home, and thought it would last me a long time, but can't wait to get rid of it!!

Just to help out on the idling issues. I just replaced my IAC, Idle air control valve. Job done in about five minutes and problem solved. The symptoms were, at every set of lights/intersection or whenever the car was idling, it would stall. No stuttering, just stops. Ignition lights would stay on. Hope this helps. Dont bother going genuine or to a Holden dealer to diagnose. The part is cheap, and the job literally takes 5 minutes.

Drove it from Broome WA to Bunderberg Qld a distance of 4700 never missed a beat speed upto 140 k's but mostly around 120k's did it in 4.5 days,Love it.

This has been my second car my first being a proton savvy and I can tell you now my Viva is perfect. Yeah it has some little problems here and there but what car doesnt. Its smooth driving, compact but still enough room for a small family.
Highly recommend but Dont buy any car from a dodgy dealer.

My first car was a 2005 holden viva, bought second hand from a dodgy dealer in townsville qld (north qld car sales?) the day i drove it home the engine light came on! Never actually found out the problem because every time something got fixed the thing would come back on within hours of driving it out of the mechanics.
I moved to brisbane a year later, car managed to survive the trip. The entire year in brisbane the car ran amazing up until october when i was driving the car and it was violently shuddering half way through my trip non stop an...

Ok fighting holden at the moment. My mother bought a viva in 2006. So many problems the car is a complete lemon. I am 34 and have purchased 3 new cars in my life one being a nissan pulsar and never had a problem with it drove that little car into the ground never failed once then traded it for my nissan patrol i have now. That being said the holden viva is the worst car i have ever seen. I have never seen such a cheaply made piece of [Word Removed]. From engine stalling at 100km an hour down the freeway to its cheap interior breaking, to its fa...

at the moment I have a big engine oil leak, and I have a rattle under car and has a small transmission oil leak aswell. but apart from that has been ok not bad to drive.