Vauxhall recalls 47,000 Zafiras: is your car affected?
British carmaker facing further fire-risk fears following 2015 recall of 234,000 vehicles
Vauxhall has added a further 47,000 models to its Zafira recall amid fears that the cars’ heating systems could cause vehicles fires.
The move comes three years after the Luton-based company issued recalls on a total of 235,000 Zafiras, following reports of cars bursting into flames.
Vauxhall previously believed that only generation B models, produced between 2005 and 2014, with older generation air conditioning systems were affected by a fault that was linked to more than 160 Zafira fires, Auto Express reports.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
However, the carmaker now believes that Zafira B cars with electronic climate control systems may also pose a threat. The fault stems from the system’s heater blower and regulator, and is similar to the problem affecting the previously recalled models, the magazine adds.
The news comes months after the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) confirmed it had launched a criminal investigation against Vauxhall to evaluate why it took so long to investigate the problem.
The first fire was reported in 2009, yet Vauxhall waited six years before recalling the defective vehicles.
This delay prompted what the Daily Mail describes as a “damning” report from a parliamentary committee last year. MPs said the manufacturer showed a “reckless disregard for safety” and was “too slow to begin a full investigation”.
Are you affected?
The recall covers electronic climate control-fitted Vauxhall Zafiras produced between 2005 and 2014. Drivers who are not sure if their car is equipped with a faulty climate control system can contact their local Vauxhall dealership.
Vauxhall has said it will begin sending letters to customers with defective cars from the end of this week.
“We will write to owners using the keeper address data from the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) advising them to contact a Vauxhall retailer to arrange to have the work carried out free of charge,” a spokesperson added.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
7 beautiful towns to visit in Switzerland during the holidays
The Week Recommends Find bliss in these charming Swiss locales that blend the traditional with the modern
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
The Week contest: Werewolf bill
Puzzles and Quizzes
By The Week US Published
-
'This needs to be a bigger deal'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Vauxhall Astra GSe review: what the car critics say
The Week Recommends A top-of-the-range Astra that is ‘quite satisfying on a twisty road, but it’s never exciting’
By The Week Staff Published
-
Vauxhall Astra review: what the car critics say
feature The eighth-generation Astra is more handsome than its forebears and it feels more sophisticated
By The Week Staff Published
-
PSA takeover of Jaguar Land Rover: would it strengthen the British carmaker?
In Depth Leaked documents suggest a merger is ‘imminent’
By The Week Staff Published
-
Vauxhall under criminal investigation over Zafira fires
Speed Read Parliamentary report said British carmaker was ‘too slow’ to investigate cars that burst into flames
By The Week Staff Published
-
Electric Corsa heads up Vauxhall’s push for profits
Speed Read Four models to get electrified powertrains by 2024
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Vauxhall VXR8 GTS-R 'will be firm's last V8'
In Depth PSA Group takeover could see muscle car replaced by a four-cylinder engine from Peugeot
By The Week Staff Published
-
Vauxhall Insignia 2017: Prices, specs and reviews
In Depth Audi A4 and BMW 3-Series rival is 'good old fashioned value for money', say reviewers
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
UK's most popular diesel cars breaking emissions limits
Speed Read Top models routinely pump out higher levels of toxins than lab tests show
By The Week Staff Published