Vauxhall’s Handbrake Problems Part 2
Well, don’t say that we don’t care about you all, dear readers. This is especially the case when our cars disengage their handbrakes and simply smash into inanimate objects. To get an idea of how bad the damage can be, check out the photos below from one reader.
Naturally, I couldn’t just let this lie. So, I decided to find out what those at Vauxhall had to say. I didn’t get a response at first, but a little perseverance can go a long way. After a little while, I decided to take it further. To General Motor’s credit, I got a reply from Denis Chick, who is none other than the Director of Communications for GMUK (that’s the brands Hummer, Vauxhall, Saab, Cadillac, Corvette and Opel).
Here’s what he had to say:
“The Vauxhall handbrake story is well documented having been featured on Watchdog and in Which? magazine a number of times. The summary up front of the thread is rather ‘old news’ by now and contains errors.
Vectra has been dealt with as below.
On the Corsa, Watchdog informed us of every case that was brought to their attention so that we could investigate each one. They have informed us of less than 10 cases so to suggest that the Watchdog Corsa number is in triple figures is wrong. On Vectra there was a more significant number which enabled a much more detailed investigation. The consistency of the Vectra test results concluded that a service action was necessary on that model.
Attached are the statements relating to Vectra and Corsa. The Vauxhall retail network is well aware of the status on both models (clearly so on Vectra where the service action is in hand) so there is no need for a ’stoney silence’, although again this may be historic and relating to the period before the company made the first formal statement.
On Vectra, the modification programme, which includes a new spring in the mechanism, is still underway but well through the bulk of the volume. On all Corsa investigations to date (on a relatively small number of vehicles) have found no fault with the handbrake mechanism. Long term tests are ongoing on this model.
You will note that we continue to suggest that when the vehicle is parked, along with the handbrake application, a gear should be selected.”
In reference to the Corsa handbrake statement from Watchdog, I have included this below. Bear in mind that this is only a statement of intent based on the cases that Watchdog have raised – which to my knowledge is not that many.
CORSA D HANDBRAKES – WATCHDOG STATEMENT APRIL 2008
The Safety and Quality of Vauxhall products remains our highest priority. The action that we have taken on Vectra/Signum handbrakes demonstrates that we care about any potential issues arising with our products.
We will investigate the cases that Watchdog has raised on Corsa D.
Vauxhall also reconfirms that, at all times, when parking their vehicle on a slope, customers should continue to engage a gear when the vehicle is stationary, the handbrake is applied without depressing the release button and the engine is switched off, in line with the recommendations referenced in the owner’s manual and in the official Highway Code.
Vauxhall Motors Limited
April 2008
Let’s move on to the Vectra/Signum shall we? Once again, we have another statement. This time we’re looking at information from the Customer Satisfaction Programme. So, let’s take a look:
Statement on Vectra/Signum Handbrake Customer Satisfaction Programme – January 2008
Following a small number of complaints of Vectra and Signum vehicles rolling away due to allegedly ineffective handbrakes, Vauxhall Motors Limited engineers, along with consultant engineers, suppliers and other bodies, have conducted rigorous technical tests on those vehicles.
During its extensive test programme, Vauxhall reviewed a number of handbrake mechanisms and found that when the handbrake is applied by depressing the release button, it is possible to manipulate the handbrake mechanism so as to cause it to release partially.
Vauxhall advised customers in October 2007 that when parking their vehicle, customers should always apply the handbrake and engage a gear in line with the recommendations referenced in the owner’s manual and in the official Highway Code, especially when parking on a slope.
Vauxhall believes that the handbrake system used in the Vectra and Signum is safe, however, Vauxhall treats all matters relating to the safety of its products as its highest priority. In line with this priority and that of continuous improvement, Vauxhall has decided to implement, as a Customer Satisfaction Programme, a modification to the handbrake mechanism to reduce the possibility of a partial release when incorrectly setting the handbrake.
Owners of c250,000 manual transmission Vectra and Signum models (produced from 2002) will receive a letter from the company requesting that they contact their nearest retailer to arrange for the modification, at no cost to the customer. Vauxhall Motors Limited is launching this Customer Satisfaction Programme in agreement with the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA), an executive agency of the Department of Transport. Note that this is not a safety recall.
Vauxhall reconfirms that, at all times, irrespective of the modification, when parking their vehicle on a slope, customers should continue to engage a gear when the vehicle is stationary, the handbrake is applied without depressing the release button and the engine is switched off, in line with the recommendations referenced in the owner’s manual and in the official Highway Code.
This Customer Satisfaction Programme will be carried out on a phased basis. Exact start timing will be based upon parts availability. Vectra and Signum owners who have concerns about their car should call Vauxhall Customer Service on 0845 090 2044 or via email at vauxhall.customerassistance@uk.gm.com.
Vauxhall Motors Limited
January 2008
So there we have it. Does this mean that there are endemic problems with Vauxhall handbrakes in a number of their vehicles? Well, I don’t think that you can say that. Then again, perhaps there are enough complaints here alone for Vauxhall to take another look. Bear in mind that long term tests are ongoing, so there is still a chance for Vauxhall to hear your complaint. Please keep the comments coming in regards to this issue and I’ll provide more updates as and when we receive them.
Posted by: Mr Butterscotch
Here’s the link to the original article…
http://www.cararticles.co.uk/uk-vauxhall-hit-by-renewed-faulty-handbrake-alarm.html
can anyone shed a light on if they have found a problem with rear tyres wearing into raised blocks and causing excess road noise on 56 plate vectra,s life or designs on 225/ tyreand if so what did you do to rectify
thanks
mike lane
dear sirs
10/09/09
on the evening of 09/09/2008 having parked my car in the usual postion at the top of my driveway with hand brake on and tested as is the usual practise now being a vectra owner, then being informed by my neighbour three minutes later that my 05 vectra had slipped its moorings and careered down my drive crossed a road usually busy at 17.30 hrs and demolished my neighbours wall and part fence collecting numerous damage en route will vauxhall
pay my eccess insurance ,they did send me a sticker several months ago advising me to ensure the hand brake was engaged properly , as if we all park and decide not to engage our hand brakes willy nilly parking my car always had to consist of applying the hand brake then undergo several checks to affirm the same.
Matthew richardson
Dear Mike,
Your tyre wear issue sounds like it could be down to one of two things:
1) That your suspension bushes are worn and in need of replacement (puting more pressure on the tyre).
2) Wheel bearings might be at fault.
Should be an £80ish fix from an indie dealer, more than double that from Vauxhall direct.
Dear Matthew,
You say your car is an 05 - is it still therefore under the 3 year manufacturer warranty? If so there is an extremely good chance that Vauxhall will cover this (especially as, if the car is mechanically dubious, it would apparently lay the blame with them).
The best thing you can do is to contact them directly - and immediately to find out where you stand. If you can also get legal advice, it might be worth considering.
Of course, you could also write to the Citizens advice bureau and VOSA. Good luck!
thank you for your prompt response , i have e-mailed vauxhall twice since last tuesday no response, vosa have spoken to twice since then onceby phone the next day then by e-mail
i will now contact cab thank you again
regards
matthew r
I am a solicitor in Edinburgh acting in a claim for a lady whose Signum rolled back on her causing extensive crushing injuries and a fracture to her leg. I know of other cases in England and one fatality to a pedestrian due to a runaway Vauxhall. There are not just a few cases but a significant number and someone needs to be collating the information that I suspect others might prefer did not see the light of day
John Taylor
Dear mr Taylor
you sound like just the man to champion our cause, if you can help leave a message and i will forward my e mail address, i for one think this is a travistry and we should all take a stand to have this problem investigated and resolved to our satisfaction ,not that of vauxhall and the puppets that pertain to be in our interest.
Yours Sincerely
Matthew Richardson
Dear Matthew
Just to assure everyone that I was not ambulance chasing - or perhaps Vectra chasing might be more appropriate !! My concern is that Vauxhall have tried to imply that there are very few such cases wheeras I have looked at several sites similar to this one, RAC, AA etc and they all have many complaints noted. The problem is greater in scope than Vauxhall would like us to believe. I am trying to find out how wide the problem is. The position Vauxhalls lawyers are adopting is that claimants are having trouble replicating the hand brake failure in tests therefor they have a problem proving that its a faulty design and so there is no liability on Vauxhall. In other words take your best shot at us in Court and see you there. Now if you have a, say , £600 bump are you going to litigate against a huge corporation with infinite resources to appeal etc? Probably you will just pay for the repair and go away - at least thats what they will bank on. In fairness its a card played by Insurers and Government all the time with claimants.
At the moment the problem is one of evidence but there are regulations relating to product liability which don’t require a claimant to show fault and I wonder if Vauxhall are hoping that is not raised as an issue with them?
My e mail address is jtaylor@macmac.com if you want to discuss this further.
Hi John,
Whilst we’re not about to become a clearing house for complaints for any one manufacturer, if there’s a genuine problem then we of course want to let Vauxhall users know about it. As such, if there’s anything to do in support of your work then let me know.
Kind regards,
Mr B
Dear Mr Butterscotch
i now have become an avid reader of your site and of course do not now feel alone in this wilderness of vauxhall mayhem ,and the problems and the financial aftermath these vehicles are alegedly causing , its either that or we all need to go to hand brake school NOW THERES A FUTURE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY FOR SOME SMART MOTOR MANUFACTURER, sorry i digress thank you for your in terest in all our cases I for one have contacted the legal proffession and await futher instructions from the same HEY all you sufferers out there lets get to the bottom of this now.
Matthew R
Dear Mr B
thanks for the assist. Good site by the way
regards
John
Dear Mr butterscotch
braking news ,
the iraq war is just friendly banter
the credit crunch is a figment of our imagination
the third world povety situation is only a glitch
president bush is in control
prime minister brown really will be our saviour
AND BEST OF ALL VAUXHALL CARS DO NOT HAVE A HAND BRAKE PROBLEM what was i worried about all these e-mails to and fro to your good self and other disilusioned fellow drivers who,s cars have decided to go for spin all on their own leaving us with untold joy i/e higher premiums and now no no claims bonus, im thrilled, well thats what i am left to think after my surprise e-mail from my car manufacturer, however we know the truth.
matthew a
Hi Matthew,
I’d just like to take this opportunity to thank you for the comments regarding the site but also to let you know that all of us at Car Articles are firmly behind the continuing investigation that Mr John Taylor is taking up. Best of luck to all of you who are currently having problems with your cars.
dear mr butterscotch,
i have a vectra(54 plate) which i use as a taxi.yesterday morning, i parked my car outside my house, which is on a moderate slope ,2 minutes or so after going in, the handbrake released itself, rolled off down the road and ploughed into my neighbours mercedes benz(which is now known as bent)which is probably written off, which is lucky (but not for my neighbour ) because if there isnt a car parked where his was, young children normally play which could have resulted in major injury or even death