Vauxhall has announced that it is to recall 234,935 Zafira B models again after a four-month study and an investigation by The Sun revealed that so-called repaired cars were still bursting into flames.
All vehicles are now to have the heating system motor blowers replaced.
In its latest statement, Vauxhall said: “After extensive investigations we have decided to go further and improve the overall robustness of the system.
“When the recalls are complete, all vehicles will have a new wax fuse resistor, a new blower motor and a new moulding at the base of the windscreen to address water ingress.”
Design fault
Vauxhall and the DVSA, which oversaw the first recall, claimed that it was a resistor and “improper repairs” which caused the problem but a report commissioned by The Sun has revealed a design fault which means the blower motor can rust prematurely.
The theory has been backed by a number of owners who had no work undertaken but still suffered fires.
Steve Gooding, of the RAC Foundation, said: “This report appears unequivocal.
“The fault lies at Vauxhall’s door.”
The report’s publication was closely followed by Vauxhall’s announcement of the second recall.
Related: Technician explains why the Zafira fire outbreak didn’t surprise him in GW Views
Wendy Williamson of the IAAF recently told GW that it will continue to challenge Vauxhall.
She said: “They started off blaming these fires on the aftermarket but have subsequently toned it down saying that it was actually due to a soldering repair on the resistors but that’s the sort of activity that just doesn’t happen so we’re looking to challenge Vauxhall’s comments on this.”
Jacqueline Young, of Slater and Gordon which has been representing Zafira owners, said: “At worst Vauxhall has sought to conceal a potentially life-endangering technical fault.
“The situation also begs questions about the efficacy of the DVSA.”
Vauxhall has said it will send letters to owners in August about the latest recall.
Do you think Vauxhall are trying to ‘cover-up’ a design fault? Have any of your customers been concerned about their Vauxhall? Please leave your comments below.
pete
It probably doesn’t help that the element type of resistor they use is inside the car i would say that type of resistor belongs outside the car or use a semi conductor type resistor instead i know it has a thermal fuse but it clearly doesn’t work once the fan motor drags it just starts pulling them amps
Nick
Well I wish it did have a thermal fuse but I don’t class some b wire and solder as one.
pete
It probably doesn’t help that the element type of resistor they use is inside the car i would say that type of resistor belongs outside the car or use a semi conductor type resistor instead i know it has a thermal fuse but it clearly doesn’t work once the fan motor drags it just starts pulling them amps
Nick
Well I wish it did have a thermal fuse but I don’t class some b wire and solder as one.
david furniss
Vauxhall to save money will offer a free bucket of water with every car purchased.
T&Cs apply.
david furniss
Vauxhall to save money will offer a free bucket of water with every car purchased.
T&Cs apply.
Ian
Vauxhall should be made to make a public apology to the independent garages that they claim caused the problem by performing inappropriate repairs.
Ian
Vauxhall should be made to make a public apology to the independent garages that they claim caused the problem by performing inappropriate repairs.
Kay lunn
Well Zafira went in for first re call just after Christmas. Drove all of 8 miles for oil light and engine management light to come on. Took to my local garage (not vauxhall) and the car had a full check over and break pads needed replacing. Got me thinking, why didn’t vauxhall pick up on this? I’ll tell you why. It hadn’t even had a full safety check before it was released to me. So not only are vauxhall lying to us putting people and their children’s lives at risk even the repairs THEY DO are unsafe or not completed at all.
Kay lunn
Well Zafira went in for first re call just after Christmas. Drove all of 8 miles for oil light and engine management light to come on. Took to my local garage (not vauxhall) and the car had a full check over and break pads needed replacing. Got me thinking, why didn’t vauxhall pick up on this? I’ll tell you why. It hadn’t even had a full safety check before it was released to me. So not only are vauxhall lying to us putting people and their children’s lives at risk even the repairs THEY DO are unsafe or not completed at all.
juan pablo soriano
Greetings, I have an opel zafira b 2005 I bought it second, it is used but it came with the changed engine of a toyota, if you changed it for some reasoning for the reasons that I see in the forum, my question is serious that vauxhall can reint a new engine with the problem solved, but one situation is that the vehicle is in the Dominican Republic, can someone inform me if there is anything that can be done in these conditions
paul yacoob
My mother’s Zafira B 2006 was taken back to Vauxhall cardiff for the recall, after the car was collected from the dealer, she noticed the the heater direction control wasn’t working correctly, for example when selecting the feet setting it would come out of the windscreen setting, so she took it back to the Vauxhall dealer and they said that a wire is broken and she would have to replace the whole control unit? Even though it was working correctly when it was taken in!!! Vauxhall have claimed it’s not there fault even though they were working directly next to unit, they say they just remove the radio. They said we have to prove it was working before we took this in. Absolutely appalling service