GM’s Vauxhall To Inspect 240,000 Units Of Zafira B Over Fire Risk

General Motors’ U.K.-based subsidiary, Vauxhall, is contacting 240,000 owners of the Zafira B following reports of the compact people mover/MPV catching fires.

The defect: according to Vauxhall, there is “clear evidence” of “improper repair” of the heat and ventilation systems in some models of the Zafira B.

Vauxhall is “in the process of completing an exhaustive analysis into the root cause of the fires”. Its “investigations have found clear evidence that the cause is improper repair of the thermal fuse (part of the resistor) in the heating and ventilation system.”

The hazards: improper repairs to the thermal fuse prevent the heating and ventilation system from shutting itself down in the event that it becomes dangerously hot.

Affected vehicles: Zafira B models equipped with the manual air conditions system, as vehicles with Electronic Climate Control (ECC) are not affected, as it has a different technical design, or LPM System (Linear Power Module) that does not have a thermal fuse; the LPM does not allow an improper repair.

Vauxhall Zafira B’s air conditioning controls are located inside the red outline.

Zafira B units with manual air conditioning controls are affected by this action

Zafira B units with automatic air conditioning controls are not affected by this action

As such, about 20 percent of Zafira B units produced were equipped with ECC, meaning that 80 percent of the Zafira B units produced are affected by the issue. To determine whether or not a Zafira B is fitted with ECC, look for a button marked “Auto” on the top left of the center console’s heating and ventilation system. If the vehicle has this button, then it is not affected by this issue and is not at risk. If a vehicle does not have the “Auto” button, then it is affected and is at risk.

Zafira A and Zafira Tourer models are not affected by the issue.

Vauxhall Zafira A models not affected

Vauxhall Zafira Tourer models not affected

Number of vehicles affected: roughly 240,000.

The fix: since it can be difficult to be certain when the fuse has been improperly repaired, Vauxhall will replace the resistor in every vehicle it inspects. This inspection and all repairs and replacement of parts will be free of charge.

Owners should: owners should expect a letter entitled Zafira B Heater Fan Motor Resistor Action. Vauxhall also has the following advice for owners:

If you are the first owner of your Zafira B and your heating and ventilation system is functioning well, and your car has never been subject to any repair in this area, there is no risk of a fire.

If you are not the first owner or you have had repairs in this area you should set your fan speed to zero (0) on the heating and ventilation system. If necessary you should use fan speed four (4) only for the time needed to demist the windscreen. Please continue to follow this advice until your vehicle has been inspected.

Owners can also see the Zafira Customer Advice webpage here or contact Vauxhall customer service with questions as follows:

• Phone: 0345 111 7711
• Email: [email protected]
• Operating hours:
  • Mon-Fri: 8:00am-9:00pm
  • Sat-Sun: 9:00am-6.00pm