Holden Colorado Problems: Used Buyer's Guide for the RG Ute (2012–2020)

The RG Holden Colorado (2012–2020) is a Thai-built ute sold only with diesel engines. Reported problems include oil consumption, injector and torque converter failures on hard-worked utes, intake soot and an alternator cable fire-risk recall. Holden has closed, but it published a commitment to at least 10 years of parts and servicing. Check the history, then get it inspected.

Which RG Colorado are you looking at?

2012–2016. carsales says the RG-series Colorado reached showrooms in mid-2012, built in Thailand in the same factory and to much the same design as the Isuzu D-MAX. Entry DX models offered a 2.5-litre diesel or the 2.8-litre turbo-diesel, with a five-speed manual or six-speed auto and 4x2 or 4x4 drivelines across single-cab, space-cab and crew-cab bodies. A more powerful Duramax 2 engine arrived in 2014 and replaced the 2.5, and the Z71 joined the top of the range in 2015. There were no petrol RG Colorados (carsales, what to check before buying a used Colorado).

2017–2020. carsales says the 2017 update brought a new nose and improved emission controls that let later engines meet Euro 5. CarsGuide adds that every 2017 diesel got a new torque converter with a centrifugal pendulum absorber to cut vibration, so the auto differs from 2016 and earlier utes (CarsGuide, Colorado problems page 2). CarsGuide's 2020 range test lists the 2.8 Duramax at 147kW, with 500Nm in the auto and 440Nm in the manual, six-speed manual and auto gearboxes, a claimed 3,500kg braked towing capacity, 12-month/12,000km servicing and a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty. Autonomous emergency braking wasn't fitted (CarsGuide, 2020 Colorado).

Holden has closed. What about parts and servicing?

General Motors announced it would retire the Holden brand in Australia and New Zealand. Holden's own announcement page says a national aftersales network will support existing customers for at least 10 years, that servicing and spare parts will be provided for at least 10 years, that existing warranties will be honoured, and that Holden and its aftersales network will handle recalls and safety issues with government agencies (Holden, announcement). WhichCar reported the same commitment as spares and support until 2031, with existing dealers offered the chance to become authorised service outlets (WhichCar, Holden closure answers).

That's the published commitment, as at November 2026. It isn't a promise that every part is on the shelf. Before you buy, ring a Holden-authorised service outlet with the VIN and ask about recall status and any part you already know the ute needs.

What are the most common Holden Colorado problems?

These are reported by Australian motoring writers and owners. They aren't failure rates.

Oil consumption and oil warnings

Asked about engine and gearbox issues on a 2015 ute, CarsGuide said the main one is oil consumption between changes, and that Holden changed the oil specification from 5W30 to 5W40 and released a new oil cap design (CarsGuide, page 2). carsales tells owners to check the oil every month or 2,000km, because a low level can trip the warning sensor and may damage the engine (carsales). CarsGuide has also answered a 2012 owner whose ute lost power on long trips with an oil warning, and a 2015 owner with an intermittent oil pressure light, where a sludged oil pick-up or worn pump were the suspects (CarsGuide, page 3; page 2).

Injectors

carsales says fuel injectors can fail after 70,000–100,000km, that replacing the set is costly, and that hard starting and excessive smoke are the warning signs (carsales).

Automatic torque converter

carsales reports torque converter failure in a few automatics, especially high-kilometre utes used for heavy towing, and says to watch for slow downshifts or shudder under full power. CarsGuide says 2017 diesels got a different torque converter, which is worth knowing when you compare years.

Manual gearbox

CarsGuide told a 2013 owner that on some five-speed manuals, a fifth-gear thrust washer could fracture under heavy towing and make the ute jump out of fifth gear, and that Holden had previously replaced the whole gearbox on affected vehicles. On a 2016 ute that crunched on one shift, it agreed worn synchromesh rings were a plausible cause, after first checking that the clutch disengages fully (CarsGuide, page 2; CarsGuide, Colorado problems).

Intake soot and the particulate filter

Answering a question on a 2013 Colorado, CarsGuide says oil mist from the crankcase ventilation mixes with exhaust soot and builds up in the intake, which in bad cases lights the check-engine lamp, hurts running and economy, and means the intake has to come off for cleaning by hand. It also warns that the particulate filter, where one is fitted, can clog without a decent freeway run every three or four weeks (CarsGuide, known issues on a 2013 Colorado).

4WD system and rear differential

carsales says engaging 4WD can deliver a thump and shudder. CarsGuide has answered a 2015 owner whose rotary dial kept selecting 4WD, and another 2015 owner with worn rear differential bearings, which it said could come from heavy loads, towing or water getting into the diff oil through the breather (CarsGuide; page 2).

Timing belt

CarsGuide notes the diesel uses a cam timing belt that Holden described as maintenance-free, and it was sceptical of that claim (CarsGuide, 2018 Colorado problems). Ask when the belt was last inspected or replaced, and look for the invoice.

Water leaks

Answering a 2018 owner, CarsGuide said a stain on the rear roof lining comes from water getting past failed seals on the high-mount brake light, a problem it says affects some Colorados, and that the fix is to clean the area and reseal it from outside (CarsGuide, 2018 Colorado problems).

Underbody and rust

carsales says 4x4s may have been used off-road or on beaches, so the underbody needs checking for damage and rust.

What Holden Colorado recalls should I check?

We read each of these on the federal register. None of the three entries shows a year range, and the list is as at November 2026 and may not be complete, so check the VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au and with a Holden-authorised service outlet.

What this means for you: carsales says the alternator cable recall applied to some early RGs and that all should be repaired by now. Don't assume. Get it confirmed by VIN.

What our inspectors check on a Holden Colorado

This is what we look at, and which package includes it. It's a list of checks, not a claim that the ute has these faults. Ute, Van & Light Truck includes everything listed for Comprehensive.

1. 1.OBD-II scan for stored and pending fault codes. (Every package)
2. 2.Engine bay: oil level and condition, oil and coolant leaks, start-up behaviour and idle quality. (Every package)
3. 3.Brakes, steering and tyres. (Every package)
4. 4.Full mechanical inspection: engine, cooling, gearbox, clutch on manuals, driveline, suspension, mounts and exhaust. (Comprehensive, Ute, Van & Light Truck and Elite)
5. 5.Underbody photos, with the undertray removed where fitted, safe and permitted, covering rust, dents and salt residue. (Comprehensive, Ute, Van & Light Truck and Elite)
6. 6.Chassis. (Ute, Van & Light Truck)
7. 7.DPF and emissions. (Ute, Van & Light Truck)
8. 8.Tow rating. (Ute, Van & Light Truck)
9. 9.Drivetrain with 4WD low-range test. (Ute, Van & Light Truck)
10. 10.Tray and mounts. (Ute, Van & Light Truck)
11. 11.Exterior paint and body repair indicators. (Comprehensive and Ute, Van & Light Truck.) Elite adds a paint thickness gauge on every panel. Essential has no paint check.
12. 12.PPSR check. (Comprehensive, Ute, Van & Light Truck and Elite. Essential doesn't include one)
13. 13.Senior inspector, a cold start when the seller leaves the engine cold, history deep-dive, valuation and on-site negotiation. (Elite only)

Road tests are 3–5 km on Essential, 6–10 km on Comprehensive and 10–12 km on Elite. Read more about our Ute, Van & Light Truck inspection and our 4WD and ute inspections.

How should you test-drive a used Colorado?

• Ask the seller to leave the engine cold. Hard starting and smoke are the injector warning signs carsales lists.
• Check the dipstick before you start, if the seller agrees, and note the level.
• Watch the dash for oil, engine and 4WD lamps through the whole drive.
• Accelerate hard once in an auto and feel for shudder or a slow downshift.
• Use every gear in a manual, fifth included, and feel for crunching or jumping out.
• Engage 4WD high and low yourself on a loose surface, if the seller agrees, and check the dash matches the dial.
• After the drive, look underneath for oil, and for rust on the chassis and tray mounts.

What paperwork and PPSR checks do you need?

• A PPSR check. Work utes are often financed. It's in Comprehensive, Ute, Van & Light Truck and Elite. See PPSR check NSW.
• Service history, with the oil grade on the invoices and any injector, gearbox or torque converter work.
• Timing belt record.
• Recall completion by VIN, using the table above.
• Warranty. CarsGuide lists five years/unlimited km on the 2020 range. Five years from a 2020 delivery ends in 2025, so don't assume any cover is left. Confirm the start date with a Holden-authorised service outlet.
• Work history. Towing, trade, farm and beach use each wear a ute differently.

How do you negotiate on a used Colorado?

• No service history on a diesel is your strongest lever, or your reason to walk away.
• Hard starting or smoke points to injectors. Get a quote first.
• Auto shudder or manual gearbox noise is expensive. Big discount or walk.
• An oil warning lamp on the test drive ends the conversation until it's diagnosed.
• Open recalls should be completed before you pay.

Is a used Holden Colorado a good buy? Our verdict

It can be, at the right price and with a clean history. It's a ute to buy on evidence.

• 2012–2013: the oldest. Check the alternator cable recall, oil use and, on a manual that has towed, fifth gear.
• 2014–2016: the stronger Duramax 2 engine. Oil consumption and injectors are the things to prove.
• 2017–2020: the revised torque converter, Euro 5 emission controls and the newest utes.

carsales sums the RG up as a basic, sensible ute for work, towing and family use, with weaker off-road ability and some ride and noise shortcomings.

Holden Colorado FAQs

What are the most common Holden Colorado problems?

For the RG (2012–2020), carsales and CarsGuide report oil consumption, injectors that can fail after 70,000–100,000km, torque converter failure on some high-kilometre tow utes, a fifth-gear thrust washer fault on some five-speed manuals, intake soot build-up, 4WD engagement quirks and a leaking high-mount brake light seal. These are reported issues, not failure rates.

Can you still get parts and servicing for a Holden Colorado?

Holden's announcement page commits to servicing and spare parts for at least 10 years through a national aftersales network, with warranties honoured and recalls handled. WhichCar reported that as support until 2031. That's the published commitment as at November 2026, so ask a Holden-authorised service outlet about any specific part before you buy.

Is the Colorado 2.8 Duramax reliable?

It depends on how it's been looked after. CarsGuide names oil consumption as the main engine issue and says Holden changed the oil grade and oil cap design. carsales adds injector failures and tells owners to check the oil monthly. CarsGuide also notes the engine has a cam timing belt. A full service history matters more than the kilometres.

Has the Holden Colorado been recalled in Australia?

Yes. The federal register lists an alternator cable that can short and cause a fire (REC-000537, 26,170 units), a front seatbelt retractor bolt (REC-000495) and a rear seatbelt buckle anchor bolt (REC-000538). The entries don't show year ranges. This is as at November 2026. Check the VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.

How much can a Holden Colorado tow?

CarsGuide lists a claimed 3,500kg braked towing capacity for the 2020 range, and carsales quotes up to 3.5 tonnes for the RG. Check the compliance plate on the exact ute. CarsGuide also reminds owners that the load in the ute and the trailer together must stay within the GVM and GCM limits.

Which inspection should I book for a Colorado?

Ute, Van & Light Truck ($329, up to 4.5 t GVM). It has all Comprehensive inclusions plus chassis, DPF and emissions, tow rating, drivetrain with 4WD low-range test, and tray and mounts, and it includes PPSR. Elite Buyers' Protection ($449) is the alternative package, with a senior inspector, valuation and on-site negotiation. Essential ($199) has no PPSR and no paint check.

Aussie Auto Care Pty Ltd · ABN 19 701 853 090 · 02 8320 1246 · Mobile pre-purchase inspections.

Sources

carsales, What to check before buying a used Holden Colorado

CarsGuide, 2020 Holden Colorado range test

CarsGuide, Holden Colorado problems (owner Q&A)

CarsGuide, Holden Colorado problems (owner Q&A, page 2)

CarsGuide, Holden Colorado problems (owner Q&A, page 3)

CarsGuide, Holden Colorado 2018 problems

CarsGuide, Holden Colorado 2013: what are the known issues?

Holden, announcement on the retirement of the brand

WhichCar, Holden closure answers

REC-000537

REC-000495

REC-000538