Holden Zafira TT (2001-2005)

Great value, reliable all-round – This car has been super reliable, and has great features not found in many cars of its era, anti slip, traction control, plus standard features ABS, airbags, and so on, 7 seats and flexible cargo area. Show details

Great Car – Great car, very little problems. Had it since new, regularly serviced it and still going well at 297,000km. New Alternator at 250k. Changed timing belt at 252k and will do it again now as car just keeps going!! Cheap to run, interior is all still working apart from cigarette lighter. A few rattles which are expected for age.  Show details

I drive this more than my bmw – If you keep it serviced which can be done yourself its perfect. I've had it for about 2 years now and have over 210,000ks on it but its actually great on fuel, easy to drive, plenty of room. Only downside is its normal for these engines to consume engine oil. When I got it the last owner didn't take care of the oil it was pretty much empty and… Read more

making constant noise. After cleaning the dried out oil and replacing all service parts (which I spent less than 200) it has turned out to be one of the best cars I've had. Also the aircon makes noise at the start but it blows the coldest air and works great. I was going to sell this for a profit but I'll be owning this till it dies, I think.

Very very expensive to fix – We bought our Zafira 2004 second hand 8 mths ago and were happy with it till it suddenly made loud noises. Luckily we had it serviced regularly so warranty accepted it BUT it's still in the garage after 5 wks they don't know how to fix it  Show details

2002 Zafira Great Car, Shame about the engine - change your oil ! – Our 2002 Zafira has 160,000 km. We bought it new. Holden mngmt, sales and service is ! abominable ! but the car is great. The long stroke, well balanced 2.2L engine still works really well with the 4sp auto ratios and decision-making - much better than the gearbox-confusing, rev-happy short-stroke 2.5L v6's that we were testing about the time of… Read more

purchase. Love the gutsy engine/gearbox dynamics, great on the freeway or in the city. Space and seating is truly groundbreaking. Still nothing else on the market like it, tall loading gate, low to the ground styling, huge load cubes with both rear rows folded right up... however the drivers seat is still angled inward because it is normally the passenger seat in Left-hand dr cars. Also, it is not a permanent 7 seater, so don't expect to carry 7 + luggage. ( nb 6 +luggage is easily do-able) Off course, Holden stops selling it here rather than address the engine thingy... re the engine: I have always changed my oil AND filter. Sometimes I would buy a cheap oil run it through and drain it to flush out the galleries and jets, then put clean oil and a new filter in. Recently, some oil leaks around the sump have hemorrhaged.. will fix em. Was going to keep it for a while longer but having the stories now starting to think that I might sell and buy a less practical but better ENGINeered car. I wander what percentage of Zafiras have had these problems. Anecdotes are many but the sales were in the 1000's ?

15/10/2021 220k now. Indicator stalk broke (wabbly). Engine Drinking some water, front shocks gone, not starting well, have replaced starter motor a while back, could be starter motor again, (yes new battery), off to mechanic.. mechanic tells me not to spend money it.. but I still like and it still drives great (if it starts)

Timing chain - beware! – We bought our Zafira a year and a half ago from a second hand dealer for 7k. I had read that the timing chain can be an issue but blithely decided it can't be THAT common so went ahead and bought regardless as it was perfect for our family size wise and economical on fuel. When it snapped, the engine just stopped with no warning and I had my 2… Read more

year old in the vehicle at the time. Car will cost thousands to replace engine. Up til then we thought it was a great car but not worth the risk with the timing chain issue!

Holden Zafira TT 2002 model – I am so sad to say that,my 2002 model Zafira(manual) car's rear light bulb holder (both sides) is damaged ,so I ordered & paid for the part at Holden Dealer in Alice springs,more than 45 days ago.Until didn't got it.This is so shame for the dealer & the Holden Co:.I was using the UK version Vauxhall Zafira in Europe,there every thing is easily… Read more

available.It's same,only the name & Logo is different.Many works I use to do myself.I like this vehicle.That's why I bought this in AU. Energy efficient. Availability of some parts are very time consuming,which is so shame for the the company.Discontinued doesn't means,can take very long time waiting time.

OK – I've had my car for 3 years. I have had no problems at all mechanically. Though have found that if required, parts are hard to come by due to the fact that it's a European car. I love the fact that we can load 5 kids into the back. The only downfall with that is there is no boot. It's impossible to go away on holiday with anymore than 3 kids,… Read more

unless you want to load the roof racks. It has a great cd player, the base bounces, the kids love it. It has a very detailed digital display that covers outside temp, time, date, fuel usage, stopwatch, and of course it tells you when there's a problem in the car somewhere for example, brakepads need changing, oil's low, washer fluid running low for window wipers etc. There are also drink holders for the front, middle and back! This is a great car for running around town for any busy mum! Mechanically i havent had a problem, great that i can fit many rug rats into it! The only thing i dislike is the room and the fact that it's european and some parts are hard to come by if required.

Bad – Bought from used car dealer with car tyres rather than light truck tyres on it. had 4 front tyres blow out before the problem was solved with light truck tyres. Have had the water pump die, $690-00 The coil module die, $600-00, the adjuster on the timing chain snapped off causing the timing chain to snap DISASTEROUS!! Valves cost approx $187-00… Read more

EACH.... There are 16 of these,4 per cylinder..head gasket kit $320-00. Timing chain $500-00... So glad I had this car RACV tested and approved before I paid for it, or I might have bought a lemon!!! I could have paid for my car twice in what it has cost me in repairs. Had it back from the mechanic 2 weeks now and the catalytic converter is burnt out.... Anyone wanna buy a cheap Zafira??? Great size, seating arrangements and fuel economy! Tidy looking car. Major money pit if things go wrong. No room for luggage if you need to use the back seats. My CD player stuffs up in the cold weather.. Google blaupunkt 520 for more details about CD player issue...

OK – Our 2001 Zafira is perhaps the best car we've ever had, but as it was always a reliable & economical vehicle to run, we fell into the trap of not replacing it before it got a bit too old. Two years ago, when I learned of the notorious timing-chain issue with certain 2.2 litre GM cars (i.e the Zafira, Astra Coupe etc) I asked the mechanic we use… Read more

to check it for wear.

He said it is "not on the Holden service schedule" and that, due to the dumb way the 2.2 litre engine was designed, it would cost us nearly $1,000 in labour just to inspect it (let alone repair it).

I'm philosophical about this; but I sure wish I'd insisted on a check back then (and spent the $1,000), rather having to pay $3,500 last week. The seven seats are great. Its easy to park and drives really well around town. Its comfortable on long interstate trips with three kids and a big load of camping gear aboard. The fuel consumption is pretty good. Until two weeks ago, I'd have the recommended the Zafira to any family with three young kids like us. . . but then the #&!!$#!@$ timing chain broke three days before the school holidays.

It cost us $3,500 to fix - which is more than the car's trade in value.

Still, it was cheaper to fix it than to buy any four cylinder, seven-seat car available (either new or second hand) before the school holidays. AAARRRGGGhhhhh !!

Terrible – This car was serviced regularly & was well maintained. Car ran beauitfully up and until the day the timing chain broke. I would have recommended this car to anyone until then. Now if you have one I would be very careful as mine went without notice, and was advised by the Holden Dealer that "Holden came to their senses & stopped importing them… Read more

after 2005." It is a shame that they made the engine so poorly. Particularly as other blogs and some magazines warned of this happening, I took the opinion that there was enough of them around - and it won't happen to me. I'm sad to say that I didn't listen, it did happen & left me standed on holidays. Loved the flexability that it offered 80,300 Klm on the clock & timing chain broke (supposed to be a non serviceable item). Was advised by local Holden Dealer to walk away from it (new engine required). Expensive exercise after just owning for 12 months.

Terrible – I would not recommend purchasing a zafira I have not been happy with the Holdens service/warranty and the cost of fixing the car the car is a 2003 model and there is strange noises coming from the engine possibly one of the two belts in the engine the oil was very low but no warning lights come on drives well roomy a week after purchasing the… Read more

central locking key would not work the battery died probably 10 months after purchasing, the timing chain/belt had to be replaced had to fight with dealers to have it fixed under warranty lots of plastic bits fell off the stitching on the fold down seats just came apart

Excellent – Still love it!! Both my husband and I enjoy driving smaller style cars so it was with some trepidation that we accepted that the arrival of of baby #3 required the purchase of a people mover. We did heaps of research and test drove nearly every 7 seater on the market before settling on the Zafira. This was mainly due to versatility, size and fuel… Read more

efficiency as we also needed it to double up as a city commuter. The versatility of the seating configuration would honestly be pretty hard to beat. We really do find it a pleasure to drive so for us the good points far outweigh any annoyances that we've had. We haven't had any major mechanical issues so far (around 7 years old now) but if ours does ever pack it in I wouldn't hesitate to buy another. Comfortable, roomy, great to drive, a people mover that doesn't handle like a bus, innovative design that is amazingly versatile (as a 5,6 or 7 seater), excellent fuel efficiency. On the downside there is a definite design flaw with the A frame window panels which do tend to create a blind spot for the driver. You need to be aware of this and make allowances at roundabouts and intersections. The indicators are on the left hand side which take quite a while to get used to - especially if you drive multiple vehicles on a regular basis. Access to the rear is also very difficult if you have child seats installed - we have our two babies in the middle row and rear passengers do need to climb through the boot to get into the rear seats. This is okay for our teenager but probably not the best set up when you want to carry adult passengers in the rear. Also, boot space is very cramped if you are using all seven seats so it's a good idea to invest in a roof pod or basket.

Good – Great car around town or on the open road, the 2.2 engine is the same donk as the Astra Convertible and goes really well and the car handles well unlike other people movers. Great dash layout and CD player. Limited space for the groceries and the kids.Wife loves the sporty zippy feel of the Zafira but then she goes through a reality check that… Read more

she's driving a 7 seater. Great little people mover, surprisingly big inside for passengers, heaps of power, great sound system, love the third row seats folding into the floor Hardly any storage space behind the third row seat, continually washing the mags to remove disc brake powder ...common for Euro cars according to Holden. Did have some exhaust rattles originally but Holden eventually replaced the whole system to fix.

Terrible – We would not buy again. This car (2001 model) just died in the middle of a busy road! RAA didn't know what to do, mobile autocare did not know what to do. Had to pay for several tows and so on. Looks nice, versatile - don't have to have all the seats up when you don't need them. Great for picking up furniture as the back seats fold down. Had… Read more

coolant problems a few years ago, which was under used car warranty thankfully, but left me without a car for over a week. Now, I am up for over $5,000 of work because of vaulty valves!! At least that is what they think it is after having it for a week, and I still don't have a car!

Good – Had the car for 5 years and no unusual problems. Have been regular with oil changes and servicing. Also use it to tow a small boat successfully. 7 Seats, power and performance and fuel economy of a 4 cylinder. Plenty of room and smooth long distance drive. So far been reliable too. Brakes need replacing. Best to use non genuine DBA brakes that… Read more

last longer otherwise you will be up for a rotor change as well. Indicator on the left. Make sure the oil changes are regular as the pre 2003 models did have a lubrication problem from forums in the UK

Excellent – We love this car. We needed a car that would suit our new family & this one fit the bill perfectly. Easily fits prams, baby car seats & luggage without too much hassle. Have had 7 adults in the car - prob would get a bigger car if you needed to transport that many people all the time. But for our family this car is fantastic Easy to drive you don't feel like you are driving a bus. None that I can think of

Excellent – This is a great car, and I would definitely buy another one if I had a chance. The 7 seats is great, without feeling like I am driving a bus. No mechanical problems (touch wood) and for it's size, is very fuel efficient. Easy to drive, and very easy to see out of. I am short so I like being up that little bit higher. Very flexible with seating,… Read more

and great for if you need to move furniture. With baby seats, it is awkward and slow to put up rear two seats. I have to unclip baby seats and take them out before pushing back seat forward to lift up rear seats. Also, it hasn't got anchor points in the very back, so makes it hard when the kids have friends over.

Excellent – This car is for everyone.it doent matter how many people in the household. a great people mover, Furniture mover,Fuel efficient, great for mums due to height of the vehicle easy to put babies/ toddlers in and out without ending up with a sore back. Good for long journeys. its a shame Holden doesnt make this car anymore.. A car of great… Read more

ingenuity. 2 extra seats are extremely handy. very roomy interior. the display in the centre console is very informative ( Equipe). i am getting 10.5 ltr/100 km in city driving. hence i would say is quite fuel efficient. cruise control is responsive. ( rear seats OK for adults too for max 1 hr drive, longer than that will call for a visit to your nearest massage centre!!) Middle seats back rests are restricted.arm rest for the driver would have been great. brake pedal and accelerator could have been placed better. i am still struggling to find best driving position after having the car for 4 months. not good thigh support for drivers.

OK – Overall a car very much similar to the commodore wagon but more expensive and just has two more seats. Not a very nice looking car, very boxy looking. Very safe though The zafiras are very safe, i know someone who was hit head on and only broke his arm! They are great family cars with lots of leg room in the back seats, Basically just ugly! More… Read more

expensive than a holden commodore station wagon. Only has more seats but you can get more installed in a normal wagon anyway. Due to extra seating and leg room there is not alot of luggage space.

OK – We bought the Zafira when I found out we were having our third child.We loved the fact that you had optional seats in the back but didn't have to have them up all the time.Great large boot area for shopping or if moving stuff as back seats also slide back and forth.Reasonably priced in comparison to other 7 seaters and fuel efficient. Comfy and… Read more

roomy inside and great to drive.Unfortunately costly when things go wrong! Servicing is pricey as parts are hard to come by as they don't make these anymore so parts are limited! My gearbox went and cost me $4000.00 for them to fit a reconditioned one(new would have been $6000+),also a few others things have too, also costing a tidy sum.Makes you very cautious driving in case anything else needs doing.If only we knew this when we bought it! Optional seven seater,great for extra passengers,large boot,heaps of room,comfy! Costly when things go wrong,air con doesn't quite cool people down in the extra seats