Vauxhall, the British arm of GM and sister brand of Opel, is in a tight spot. Eons ago, Zafira B forums started ranting about a flaw with the heating system of the mid-sized MPV. Last winter, the DVSA confirmed the problem, prompting Vauxhall to announce a recall. Now, though, owners are invited to bring their vehicles in for repairs for the second time.
No less than 234,938 vehicles from the second generation are affected. Bear in mind that the Zafira A, Zafira C, and Zafira Tourer are not part of this recall. Zafira B vehicles with electronic climate control (ECC) aren’t affected either. The question is, why is Vauxhall recalling the Zafira B yet again? Apparently, the repair procedure undertaken in the first recall can lead to overheating of the HVAC system, resulting in a potential vehicle fire.
The second recall is described as being a “preventive action” that involves the improvement of “the overall robustness of the [heating] system.” Last time, Vauxhall replaced the blower motor resistor and the thermal fuse, electrical components designed to protect the heating and ventilation system.
Vauxhall will be “initiating a second recall to replace the current soldered fuse resistor with a wax fuse resistor so reducing the opportunity for manipulation. 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.”
The fix will be conducted free of charge to the owner. Affected owners are to be contacted via post mail in August. Replacement components for the Zafira B’s heating and ventilation system are to become available in November 2016. In the meantime, owners are advised by Vauxhall to call 0800 026 0034 or get in touch with the automaker via the form found at the bottom of the Zafira Customer Advice webpage.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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