Vauxhall Zafira fires:: 220,000 UK cars to be recalled
Vauxhall to recall 220,000 Zafira B models following reports of the people carrier catching fire
Vauxhall is set to recall 220,000 Zafiras after owner reports of the vehicle catching fire. Only right-hand drive Zafira B models, built between 2005 and 2014, with manual air conditioning, or with no air conditioning are involved. The recall does not concern the current Zafira Tourer.
Vauxhall will investigate the heating and ventilation system, after having found evidence of improper repairs to thermal fuses and blower motor resistors using non-genuine parts. Owners will be informed if their car has been recalled from November 12th onwards, with each inspection set to take between 30 to 60 minutes.
Currently, Vauxhall has yet to identify a robust fix. Vauxhall said: "Analysis is still ongoing to get to the root cause. We need to analyse a significant number of vehicles in order that a robust fix can be generated based on facts."
Worried mums Sue Freemantle, from Ivybridge, Devon, Claire Wheatley, from Plymouth and Jade Hellewell, from Preston, Lancs, joined forces to start a Facebook campaign to bring the issue to light when their 2005-2014 Vauxhall Zafira models unexpectedly caught fire with children and pets inside.
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The group has garnered the support of more than 3,000 members, with several other owners claiming on the page that their MPVs went up in flames, too. It's believed to be around 100 cars that have caught fire.
Owners reported that thick, black smoke had filled the cabin through the dashboard with many having children or pets on-board at the time. Some drivers had purchased their car just days before it ignited and gutted the interior.
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Sue told Auto Express: “I started the group to raise awareness about these car fires after Vauxhall essentially washed their hands of my plight. I’m gobsmacked by how many others have been through what my family have had to endure.” She added that the group has been set up not to gain compensation but in order to save lives in the future
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Following complaints Vauxhall launched an internal investigation and has since issued a recall over the model range. So far it's seen around 20 affected models, all with the manual air-conditioning system.
A spokesman said: "While the number of incidents is very low in proportion to the number of vehicles on the road, we take this issue very seriously and will take further action.
"The safety of our customers is the number one priority. Our investigations have found that a number of incidents have occurred due to previous repairs being performed improperly or using certain non-genuine parts."
Owners are advised to contact their Vauxhall dealer if they notice any "unusual characteristics" with the heating and ventilation system - for example a squeaking noise from the dashboard. Dealers have been told to arrange inspections free of charge.
Concerned owners can find more information at http://www.vauxhall.co.uk/zafiracustomeradvice.html
Have you seen or experienced a Vauxhall Zafira catching fire? Let us know in the comments section below...
Vauxhall will investigate the heating and ventilation system, after having found evidence of improper repairs to thermal fuses and blower motor resistors using non-genuine parts. Owners will be informed if their car has been recalled from November 12th onwards, with each inspection set to take between 30 to 60 minutes.
Currently, Vauxhall has yet to identify a robust fix. Vauxhall said: "Analysis is still ongoing to get to the root cause. We need to analyse a significant number of vehicles in order that a robust fix can be generated based on facts."
Facebook group brings issue to attention
Worried mums Sue Freemantle, from Ivybridge, Devon, Claire Wheatley, from Plymouth and Jade Hellewell, from Preston, Lancs, joined forces to start a Facebook campaign to bring the issue to light when their 2005-2014 Vauxhall Zafira models unexpectedly caught fire with children and pets inside.
• Prosecutions for using mobile phones while driving down by half
The group has garnered the support of more than 3,000 members, with several other owners claiming on the page that their MPVs went up in flames, too. It's believed to be around 100 cars that have caught fire.
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• New website lets you check UK car mileage and MoT history online
Sue told Auto Express: “I started the group to raise awareness about these car fires after Vauxhall essentially washed their hands of my plight. I’m gobsmacked by how many others have been through what my family have had to endure.” She added that the group has been set up not to gain compensation but in order to save lives in the future
.
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A spokesman said: "While the number of incidents is very low in proportion to the number of vehicles on the road, we take this issue very seriously and will take further action.
"The safety of our customers is the number one priority. Our investigations have found that a number of incidents have occurred due to previous repairs being performed improperly or using certain non-genuine parts."
Owners are advised to contact their Vauxhall dealer if they notice any "unusual characteristics" with the heating and ventilation system - for example a squeaking noise from the dashboard. Dealers have been told to arrange inspections free of charge.
Concerned owners can find more information at http://www.vauxhall.co.uk/zafiracustomeradvice.html
Have you seen or experienced a Vauxhall Zafira catching fire? Let us know in the comments section below...
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