Holden Astra 2006 Problems

No car is perfect, but we've gathered everything relating to the Holden Astra 2006 reliability here to help you decide if it's a smart buy.

2006 Holden Astra still moving with in Park without handbrake activated.

Answered by CarsGuide 8 May 2025

When you look at how the Park setting works in an automatic transmission, you can see how this could happen. Basically, Park is engaged by a small pin that (typically) slides into the transmission’s output shaft and locks it, preventing the shaft from turning and effectively locking the drive wheels.

The problem is that the Park pin (also called a pawl) is almost comically small for the job it has to do. The point being that Park pawls have been known to fail, at which point, the car will be free to move if the park brake isn’t applied.

Best practice when parking an automatic car is to stop where you want to park, but leave the transmission in Drive and apply the foot brake. Then apply the park-brake, take your foot off the brake and let the park brake take the weight of the car. Then select Park. You’ll still have the security of being in Park, but you won’t have the car’s weight resting on that little park pawl.

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My 2006 Holden Astra has been towed while in Park - what could be damaged?

Answered by CarsGuide 9 Apr 2025

For a start, it’s never a good idea to drag a car anywhere with the wheels, hand-brake and steering locked. You can damage anything from the transmission, steering column, driveline and even ruin (flat-spot) the tyres.

If the clicking noise when you drive it wasn’t there before, then a mechanic would suspect that there’s been damage done to the front driveshafts. This would be consistent with the car being forcibly dragged along the ground. If you’re worried, have a mechanic check the car over and send the repair bill to your (now possibly ex-) housemate.

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How do I get a key programmed to my 2006 Holden Astra?

Answered by CarsGuide 22 Oct 2021

There are two possibilities here and it will all depend on whether your car is a 2005 model (that was first sold in 2006) or a post-facelift model and also whether it’s a TS Astra or an AH model Astra. If it’s the earlier car, then you might be in luck. The process involves taking the new key, placing it in the ignition and turning the ignition on (without starting the engine). Then, when all the dashboard lights are lit up, you press one of the remote buttons on the key. And that’s about it. You should hear the car lock and then unlock itself to let you know the process is complete and you’re good to go.

For post-2005 models, however, things are not so simple. In this case, you need to either visit a locksmith or a workshop that has the Holden diagnostic gear, as the new key needs to be coded to the car via the diagnostic port. That said, I’d give the first method a try before spending money at a workshop. Who knows, you might just get lucky.

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Holden Astra 2006: How can I fix a broken CD player in my car?

Answered by CarsGuide 6 Sep 2019

Have a car sound system specialist check it for you. They should be able to clear it so that you can insert CDs.

 

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Holden Astra 2008: Can it use an alternator from an '06 model?

Answered by CarsGuide 22 Mar 2019

You probably could, but before you commit I would line them up to make sure the 2006 alternator would fit the later model. If they do, and I expect they will, you should be okay.

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Holden Commodore 2009: A good used car buy?

Answered by CarsGuide 3 Jun 2016

The VE sounds like a good car that's been well looked after and would be a good car for a growing family such as yours. I will assume it's a V6, in which case the main thing to be concerned about is wear to the camshaft timing chains. They're a known problem and cost $2000 or so to replace if they do wear. You can tell if they're worn as the engine runs poorly because the cam timing is thrown out. Other than that the VE is quite sound.

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Holden Astra 2006: How much is the convertible worth?

Answered by CarsGuide 1 May 2015

I would think about $13,000 would be the value of it for insurance purposes.

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Holden Astra 2006: How much should servicing cost?

Answered by CarsGuide 17 Oct 2014

I would first question the need to do some of the work he is saying is urgent, and would suggest you have another mechanic check the car for you. If you are in the RACQ you could have them check it for you, at least to give some peace of mind.

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