Vauxhall puts the Zafira fire blame on non OE parts and poor repairs

Investigations were prompted after more than 130 cars spontaneously burst into flames

Vauxhall puts the Zafira fire blame on non OE parts and poor repairs
Vauxhall Zafira drivers have reported terrifying scenes where their cars became engulfed in flames.

A statement issued by Vauxhall last week suggests that the VM puts the blame for ‘a number of incidents’ down to non-genuine parts and bad repairs.

In the statement, the company said: “Our investigations have found that a number of incidents have occurred due to previous repairs being performed improperly or using certain non-genuine parts.

“If you are concerned about operating your vehicle or if you notice any unusual characteristics with the heating and ventilation system (for example a squeaking noise from the dashboard) you should contact your Vauxhall dealer and arrange for your vehicle to be inspected.”

Cars affected are Zafira B models made between 2005 and 2014 and are equipped with manual air conditioning.

Zafira owners have turned to Facebook to share pictures of their burnt our cars, the group now has more than 10,000 members.

Sue Freemantle, from Devon, was in her 2007 Vauxhall Zafira with four children when it started smoking before bursting into flames.

She told the Express: “We thought it was going to explode.

“We’ve been absolutely crippled by this, we have to pay an excess on our car insurance because they only offered us £100 for the goods inside our car and we had a buggy worth £200 and a tablet worth £200 in there.”

More than 280,000 Zafira B models were made, owners of affected cars are urged to contact Vauxhall for a vehicle inspection.

Vauxhall said: “Until your car has been inspected, please set your fan speed to zero (0) on the heating and ventilation system.

“If necessary, use Level 4 only for the time needed to demist the windscreen.”

Please share your comments about the Vauxhall Zafira fires in the comments below.

18 Comments

  1. Very uninformative response from this OEM, a cynic may conclude that this is an attempt to deflect the focus. Although with recent reports suggesting the seat of these thermal events being around the dash/ glove box area, you may ask what non genuine parts / repairs would be take place in this area?

    Reply
    • Most likely a ballast fault, another possibility is that the multiblock connector was damaged at the time of the original fault and not repaired/replaced it could result in the new unit developing the current fault.

      Reply
  2. Very uninformative response from this OEM, a cynic may conclude that this is an attempt to deflect the focus. Although with recent reports suggesting the seat of these thermal events being around the dash/ glove box area, you may ask what non genuine parts / repairs would be take place in this area?

    Reply
    • Most likely a ballast fault, another possibility is that the multiblock connector was damaged at the time of the original fault and not repaired/replaced it could result in the new unit developing the current fault.

      Reply
  3. It would be nice to know exactly so I am in a position to advise my customers. it is very poor of Vauxhall to just blame non genuine parts.

    Reply
  4. It would be nice to know exactly so I am in a position to advise my customers. it is very poor of Vauxhall to just blame non genuine parts.

    Reply
  5. If the fires are down to bad repairs and non OE parts why are not all cars treated this way affected!!!!!.
    It is only affecting Zafira B models made between 2005 and 2014 and are equipped with manual air conditioning. With advise to leave blower off.
    What a load of rubbish. GM need to take a long hard look at themselves.

    Reply
  6. If the fires are down to bad repairs and non OE parts why are not all cars treated this way affected!!!!!.
    It is only affecting Zafira B models made between 2005 and 2014 and are equipped with manual air conditioning. With advise to leave blower off.
    What a load of rubbish. GM need to take a long hard look at themselves.

    Reply
  7. The thing that worries me is that it’s not only Zaria’s affected by this, I have done numerous corsa’s where the resistor/plug and wiring have all burnt out! And Vauxhall know this because they sell you a new plug with new wiring to solder in place!

    Reply
  8. The thing that worries me is that it’s not only Zaria’s affected by this, I have done numerous corsa’s where the resistor/plug and wiring have all burnt out! And Vauxhall know this because they sell you a new plug with new wiring to solder in place!

    Reply
  9. I think gm/vauxhall have just admitted to it if ya read the statement lol silly fools kids lives at risk seriously

    Reply
  10. I think gm/vauxhall have just admitted to it if ya read the statement lol silly fools kids lives at risk seriously

    Reply
  11. It’s not the parts I have bean a mechinc for 28 years it’s down to vauxhall bild quality has went to the dogs. Vauxhall seam to think it’s okay to bild suspension parts out of plastic there cars/ vans are all just cheep crap I would rather get the bus than drive a vauxhall

    Reply
  12. It’s not the parts I have bean a mechinc for 28 years it’s down to vauxhall bild quality has went to the dogs. Vauxhall seam to think it’s okay to bild suspension parts out of plastic there cars/ vans are all just cheep crap I would rather get the bus than drive a vauxhall

    Reply
  13. What a get out,blaming the aftermarket for inferior repairs. Come on Vauxhall your smoke and lies are slowly getting unraveled so now is the time to come clean before someone dies! There are more cases of genuine un-touched cars going up coming out every week. Get it sorted.

    Reply
  14. What a get out,blaming the aftermarket for inferior repairs. Come on Vauxhall your smoke and lies are slowly getting unraveled so now is the time to come clean before someone dies! There are more cases of genuine un-touched cars going up coming out every week. Get it sorted.

    Reply
  15. All the above comments are true.GM should raise their hands and accept liability for faulty or badly manufactured components installed.Actions should be forced to be taken against GM.

    Reply
  16. All the above comments are true.GM should raise their hands and accept liability for faulty or badly manufactured components installed.Actions should be forced to be taken against GM.

    Reply

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