Vauxhall Hit by renewed faulty handbrake alarm
Vauxhall has been hit by fresh claims that it is producing cars with faulty handbrakes and its vehicles have the capacity to roll away when parked.
A Report by the BBC’s watchdog programme said owners of the latest Vauxhall Corsa with a D Model variant, which is less that a year old, had reported instances of their car rolling away after being left stationary with the handbrake on, similar to other models earlier last year.
Complaints to the programme have now reached triple figures. Watchdog reported that Vauxhall was ‘surprised’ to learn of the problems with the new corsa but was now looking into the problem.
Watchdog expert Mark Brown said: “even though the design on the teeth of the handbrake is different from the Vectra, it has still presented the same symptoms that we found with the Vauxhall Vectras and Sigums.”
Vauxhall responded by saying it was investigating the cases raised, and insisted that as per the Highway code, when parking on a slope motorists should ‘engage a gear’, and ensure the handbrake is applied without depressing the release button.
The latest blow for Vauxhall comes just months after Which?, the consumer pressure group, reported that owners of Signum and Vectra models also suffered from the same fault.
Arround 250,000 Sigum and Vectra models are being recalled by the manufacturer in order to fit new springs in the handbrake. Vauxhall described the move as a “customer satisfaction programme”. There are no plans to roll out the scheme to Corsa owners.
The recent development is a further embarrassment to Vauxhall, which issued a massive 355,000 Corsa recall in December after a problem with the vehicles braking system was not fixed properly. Despite an initial recall of last generation Corsas in March 2006 and a further recall of 250,000 models in August 2007, the brake fault still affects newer models.
Posted by: Fraser
I’m surprised at Vauxhall - and quite disappointed. Never mind ‘as per the highway code’ - just give us a car that doesn’t roll away!
My Astra folled backwards with handbrake fullon and demolished a fence. According to Vauxhall there is nothing wrong with the handbrake. I have written a letter ofcomplaint to the managing director of Vauxhall. Handbrakes are not for decoration…they should work 100%
My Vauxhall Corsa 08 sxi, rolled away in ASDA car park and hit another car. I’m fuming as I had the old corsa and never had a problem with it.
Hi Phillip,
I’m sorry to hear that your Corsa rolled away. I think the new Corsa looks pretty damn good, so it is extremely annoying that Vauxhall could make such a big error. Have they fixed it for you, and covered the repair on the vehicle your car hit?
Pauline,
How long have you had your car? I’d recommend going to see Citizen’s Advice about that, depending on how old your car is and whether you’ve had it regularly serviced of course. If Vauxhall is at fault you could be in for a decent windfall (and a new fence).
List of malfunctions on my twin top astra design:
faulty handbrake
faulty roof function
faulty boot seals (4 lots and still boot is wet)
malfunction on emission control
car is 21 months old.
Am filing report with VOSA and have asked Grasmere dealership where car was purchased for a replacement or refund, as advised by trading standards.
If you have a fault or complaint about your vauxhall, report it to VOSA and trading standards. The more officially logged complaints, the stronger the case against vauxhall.
Hi Pauline,
That number of faults is certainly not acceptable and going to VOSA is some good advice.
I hope that my Astra doesn’t suffer the same fate, though (and I say this touching wood) apart from the boot light staying on it has been remarkably free of problems.
Please let us know how you get on, I hope you get your refund or new car easily, given the problems you have had with your current motor.
Hi, there,
My Astra rolled back recently (less than one year old) and it caused a lot of problems at work. You just cannot imagine how a handbrake problem can affect your life. From an earlier message, it is true that Astra had the probelm along with other models: Signum, Vectra and Corsa.
Hi - I have experienced badly grinding brakes with my 57 model Corsa. Fobbed off for 5 months saying there was no problem - now have to wait another 12 weeks to get modified brake pads - can someone please advise - the dealership and Vauxhall are just ignoring ……
Hi Tara,
I’m really sorry to hear that you’ve been having problems. Grinding brakes are a problem I’ve had myself I must say.
You say you were fobbed off for five months, did this push it back beyond the limited warranty, or do you have a 3 year warranty? Either way, it sounds like you have a case here.
Given how essential brakes are to the operation of the vehicle, this isn’t a problem that they should be able to brush off. Here’s what I’d consider doing if I were you:
1) Document all conversations/visits to the dealership, and whether you received a satisfactory level of service.
2) Take your car for an independent inspection. This shouldn’t cost too much and it will narrow down whether the problem is an issue with the calipers or even just a build up of brake dust from soft pads.
3) Use the independent inspection when consulting with Vauxhall - if the inspection is done by a Vauxhall specialist then even better.
4) Talk to citizens advice - given the potentially dangerous nature of the problem I doubt they’ll see this as acceptable.
5) Write a letter of complaint to your local Vauxhall dealership along with sending a copy to their head office and MD.
What you really need to do Tara is to get to the root of the problem. Whilst grinding brakes are a symptom, the cause needs to be got at. If Vauxhall merely sees it as a case of the brakes needing to be ‘bedded in’ they will fob you off…
Hi Mr B
Thanks for your reply. Yep - as its a brand new car I have the full 3 years warranty, however as they asked us to do lots of long trips initially to ‘bed’ brakes in, we are now unable to reject the car - obviously knew what they were doing with that advice! I written to them offering them 14 days notice to fix the car under the Sale of Goods Act - we then had a site meeting where we were promised the hopefully remedial pads within 2 weeks. Vauxhall and FRF are now denying this conversation ever took place. I have reported them to Trading Standards. I have now been given a time of another 10 weeks to get hold of these new brakes. Have followed this conversation up in writing so we cannot be accused of lying about timescales again. My car will be 9 months old by this time after having a fault since Day 1! Trading Standards will not get involved as they say the car is safe to drive. The amount of people on the net with the same problem is shocking as is the noise on my brakes! Any advice on the next step for me?
N.B. The following link has the Vauxhall Customer services number:
http://www.vauxhall.co.uk/vx/contact/loadonlineenquiry.do?method=loadPageOnlineEnquiry
Already tried Vauxhalls Customer Service Dept over ten times - emails and calls and have never, not one, received a call back from them. Cannot get a straight answer. At every call I make we have to go back to the beginning when they say there is no problem with the brakes. When I then explain that one of their area managers had admitted there is a fault they say they have to contact the Tech Dept and will get back to me ……as you can guess, I have yet to receive a call back from any of my calls…..I have now had this conversation with them around 15 times.
Hi Tara,
Can you get confirmation in writing from the area manager that there’s a problem? If so, I’d certainly recommend going straight to point 4 above.
Have you had your car inspected? Do you know exactly what the problem is?
Hi Tara
Coontact VOSA on 0117 954 3300 and officially report the fault.
Write to:
Mr C Parditt (managing director)
Vauxhall Motors Ltd
Griffin House
Osborne Road
Luton
LU1 3YT
Send recorded delivery and keep acopy. Good luck
Tara,
Do you know exactly what the problem is? Hard compound brake pads (such as carbon ceramics) will not fade but require heat to make them operate well. They won’t tend to wear as quickly (when they do at all). Soft compounds may wear down much faster, but will provide a quicker stop - at least until they are worn to nothing. Have you tried to just having your pads changed? Alternatively, soft compounds can give you a lot of brake dust; this can create a squeal and damage your alloys but is rarely a serious issue. I hope this information helps you.
Hi we have had the sme problem, our 2mth old Corsa VXR was parked on our drive and rolled down the drive over the road and into our neighbours car, my wife was out side and tried to stop it but ended up crushed between her VXR and our neigbours car. We had had no luck with Vauxhall 14 weeks later they say no fault found, not so much as a sorry or any thing. Given its our second Corsa D first one replaced due to having so many faults. My advice is DONT BUY A VAUXHALL.
Hi Stuart,
I’m really sorry to hear about your wife - I trust that she is better now? By all accounts the Corsa VXR has been receiving excellent reviews and I was quite keen on getting one - I think I’ll be printing this whole thread off before going to my dealer though!
Hi Stuart
See address for VOSA on this site. It is being taken very seriously by VOSA but they need as many people to formally notify them of the problem. VOSA have the authority to make Vauxhall take responsibiity and can insist on recall of vehicles.
Pauline
56 plate twin top
leaking roof twice, faulty doors twice, faulty window,s, wheel bearing renewed, EGR valve failed, Dealer had the car for four days to sort out a tracking problem, Lookers PLP in Warrington are awful at after sales service etc, getting no joy with them and want to find out how to demand a refund.
it gets worse….. my wifes 07 plate 1.2 16v corsa design, has a design fault which has no cure but they want it for TWO DAYS to try and fit a new clutch.
Would never buy from lookers PLP again!
Hi John,
I’m shocked at this list of problems you’ve had - especially as the Twin Top is a good looking car so it’s a shame you’ve had these issues. I’d recommend checking the listed comments above about contacting VOSA along with your local citizens advice - it’s clear that you haven’t received an acceptable level of service.
Morning All.
Have had a similar problem with my 05 Astra, Parked it up on an small driveway at the in-laws. Put the handbrake on. What makes this significant is that I then had to open the boot, the and the rear driver side door to get a few things out and then had to close both.
I’m sure that given the incline of the drive it would not have just sat there had the handbrake not been on ( 20 degree incline). Over an hour and a half later the car appears to have rolled forward hit the a wheelie bin, a large terracota plantpot ( 3 foot high) and then struck the garage door taking it off a few of its’ runners. Damage to paint on boths side panels and the bumper and bonnet, and a potential insurance claim.
Thankfully the guys at the dealership all know me as a result of previous problems with the dab radio, and so far seem very keen to help me get this sorted. I’ll try to keep you updated.
Hi Mark,
That’s quite some damage that your car has managed to create - a large mess for such a new vehicle! Apparently Vauxhall wanted people to put the handbrake on without using the button - why not just fix the teeth/ratchet system? All very bizzare. If the dealership are keen to get it sorted, they must be aware of the problem. Strange indeed…
Hi John
Contact trading standards. They in turn will contact the dealership on your behalf but a solicitor’s letter is likely to be needed as trading standards only deal with claims up to £5,OOO. Also contact Managing Director at Vauxhall in Luton. Send letter registered and keep a copy. You will probably be passed over to Samantha Wilson who is in charge of customer services. Keep at them, I am.
Pauline
Hi Mark
VOSA are very interested in probs with handbrake system on Vauxhalls. See previous posting for address. Take photos and witness statements and include with safety report. Also email Watchdog and give them the details. They keep a record of reported faults and decide whether there are sufficient numbers involved to speak to Vauxhall agian.
Pauline
i’ve just got a brand new corsa, about a month ago and have had no problems, although i have noticed with the handbrake you have to lift it a lot further up because i get a feeling like it’s going to roll away, thankfully it hasn’t yet!?!
Hi Steven,
It might be worth asking for the hand brake cable to be tightened - this might be a very simple fix for your problem!
Update for you all, been liasing with lady at Vauxhall customer services who amongst other things stated that there have been no handbrake recalls for any Vauxhalls. Quick check on the VOSA site revealed four such recalls have responded and await their response.
Not moving forward as quickly as I would like but i’m patient.
( and leaving the car in gear all the time )
Hi Mark
Vauxhall refuse to accept there is a problem. That’s why VOSA want reports from anyone experiencing problems. VOSA will, when they have enough evidence/complaints, have the power to force Vauxhall to act in the interests of safety. Please ask for a report form then the action will be sooner rather than later, one person has died already.
I got that impression from the e-mails that I got in response.
I’m persistant, polite, and patient and in most cases, so far, have gotten the outcome that I have wanted in my dealings with Vauxhall. I expect this one to be a tough slog but I’m not going to let it go for a long while yet.
I’ve sent an email to the enquiries section on the VOSA website and can get the three other people present to provide witness statements. Hopefully they will come back to me on that front and I can let them know what happened.
My astra is soon to be sent to an approved vauxhall repairer, who are also going to inspect the handbrake system. I’m in no doubt they will find no problem but heres hoping. The gent that runs the place did mention to me that his car did the same thing.
Hi Mark
Trading standards are giving the dealership a tough time in the hope that they will soon inform Vauxhall that there is a design fault for which the dealership is not expected to take responsibility ror recompense. Do check our the rac forum website as it contains postings from a solicitor amongst others. I have not had my rear end (car’s rear end) fixed and when I am asked what happened I tell everyone that the handbrake failed! Next on the agenda is a forecourt personal tour of my car and what is wrong with it. At the end of the day being patient and polite has not paid off, maybe losing them sales will. Of course the press will be invited to attend also. I wish you the best of luck.
Hi John
Contact trading standards, they are really good at advising and the mediate between you and the dealership, The mechanic here has admitted that there is a design faullt and that is why seals don’t keep water out of boot. I now have a clunking sound when I go from first tosecond gear..like you sometimes get with an automatic transmission. The onboard computer has got one on it as well and insists that the fuel tank is empty despite being nearly half full! File a report with VOSA. They need the reports in order to insist that Vauxhall remove these vehicles from the road for safety reasons, have posted contact details further up these postings. Good luck
Had my astra 1.6 sportshatch for 13 months now. Was parked in the local somerfield carpark yesterday when my car rolled backwards into the disabled barriers almost 40 feet away causing £300 worth of damage. Handbrake light was on when i entered the car again and handbrake still upright.
Sorry to hear about all the problems - if any of you have photos of the damage would you like to send them to us?
I’d like to write another piece to highlight these problems.
mail@cararticles.co.uk is the email address if you would be interested.
Thanks
I bought a vauxhall astra 1.8 xp sri 2 weeks ago (2007)model my wife went to the garage for items when she went into the shop and back out again the car had rolled back into some brushes and caused £200 off damage I hope vauxhall will do something in the near future thanks
Don’t hold yur breath. Contact VOSA, see above. They are dealing with mine and are contacting Vauxhall direct. They carry a lot of authority so please do request and then submit a report. It helps if you can also enclose photos and witness statements. Best of luck.
Pauline
My saga continues with yet more faults, ERG / EGR Valve packed up, they cleaned it and that was fine, then a week later the car was still pulling to the left, they took it back twice and tried to say it was fixed, I took the service manager for a drive, let go of the wheel and the car snatched to the kerb, so they took it back again and then called AGAIN to say it was fixed, this time they took it for 4 days to a specialist centrein St Helens and offered it me back only for the same thing to happen, they even tried to say it was the camber in the road doing it, Quick u-turn and drove on the wrong side of the road showed it wasnt the camber but the stearing, they took it back again and returned it the following day cured, they swapped the wheels round and that cured it? How can that be? While they were messing with the tracking they replaced the ERG / EGR valve (three weeks ago) and its playing up again and now the roof gets stuck half way up and takes half a dozen attmepts to get it back down,
gutted
My problem now is that i have moved to Scotland with work and cant get the car back, they told me to take it to Arnold Clarke here in Falkirk and they would txt me the number, never heard back from them, I’m sick and tired of the car, I love to drive it but am sick of it being in the dealship, and the usual £100 demand “incase the problem isn’t covered by warranty” which I might add I always refuse to pay and get to speak to the regional manager who waives the fee.
Are PLP responsible for collecting the car and repairing it or do I have to drive 230 miles to the dealership? I will not take it to Arnold Clarke, had trouble with them years ago and it almost ended in court.
I’ll never buy another Vauxhall and NEVER go near Lookers again, they have no idea about customer service, I bought five Honda’s from Honda Savoy in Warrington over a ten year period and when the dealship was bought by Lookers the service went down hill and I bought elswere, against my better judgement I bought two cars from them last year spending around 30K and have had endless problems with them
Hi
I have a 7 week old Corsa 1.3cdti breeze purchased from Pentagon in Rochdale.
I use this car for Driving tuition and know that clutches dont last as long as a personal cars clutch due to the type of use. However i do expect a clutch to last more than 7 weeks!
I have jusst been told by Pentagon and Vauxhall that the clutch is not covered by warranty and its going to cost nearly £700 to replace!
I have had various different cars and never had to replace a clutch at less than 40k miles before!
Vauhall never again!!!!!!!!!!
VOSA have informed me that it is impossible for a car to roll backwards and the handbrake remain on. There are other postings that this has happened to them too, please confirm that not only is it possible it has happened more than once!
Pauline,
VOSA are technically correct - a car cannot move with the handbrake on. What it sounds like in the case of these (MANY) Vauxhall complaints is that it is either working loose or simply not functioning correctly at all. I assume that if Vauxhall are asking people to not depress the button when putting the handbrake on then it’s something related to the teeth/ratcheting mechanism. Either way, it’s inexcusable.
John Tempest,
Have you had any updates? I would certainly hope PLP would deliver it…
John,
Vauxhall have this to say on their warranty:
“There are thousands of individual parts fitted to your Vauxhall and virtually every one of them is covered for mechanical or electrical failure by the standard three-year/60,000 mile warranty that comes with every new Vauxhall (100,000 miles on Movano and Vivaro).”
However, they also state this:
“All of the mechanical and electrical components of your vehicle are covered by Sureguard Warranty, with the following few exceptions:
Brakes and clutch
Frictional material, if the condition is due to wear and tear.”
So apparently, if your clutch goes because of wear and tear then you’re out of luck. Then again, 7 weeks is hardly acceptable. I’d speak to trading standards, VOSA and then I’d be tempted to demand a refund. 7 weeks?!!?
Pauline.
I have benn told by PLP’s service Manager that I should take it to my nearest main dealer here in Falkirk as my problem is with Vauxhall and not PLP, I refuse to pass the buck to someone else, according to the Sale of goods act 1979 my contract is with the retailer and not the manufacturer, I have emailed PLP again today and advised that if I have to take the car back to Warrington then it will be left with them and I shall persue the matter through the courts, PLP’s customer service is awful, I have never come accross a company as bad, I know of five guys that I used to work with that have had vauxhalls but refuse to take them to PLP for any warranty or service works.
John O’Hara.
My wifes Corsa had a new clutch fitted on her 07 Corsa design under warranty and it was just over 12 months old, they first told her it had a fault that couldnt be cured and they had a bad batch of clutch’s, it seems to be fine now,……watch this space.
It is however well under powered for a 1.2 16V motor, and has miles less power than her old 1.0 04 model. I think it has a problem and asked them to put in on a Dyno but they wouldnt, they just plugged it into their diagnostics and said they had identified a problem and recified it, its still no different.:(
Message from admin - This comment seemed to go missing first time round! Sorry about that
Author: stuart mainwaring
Comment:
Following on from my report about our Corsa D
handbrake, Autoexpress are do an
article on the car to try and get more people to reports faults etc. It is due
to be in week commencing 9th June magazine.
Vauxhall need to sort the issue out, they have now returned my old handbrake
which I will be getting tested, If anyone knows of an independant test body
please let me know.
Stuart
Warchdog havea ratchet expert who tested handbrakes on vauxhall, why not email the programme and ask for expert local to yourself?
Pauline
vauxhall corsa handbrake lever released itself three times causeing damage to car and garage it is a 2007 model
Hi.
I’ve had exactly the same problems as everyone else. I have an Astra 07 1.4 sxi, and vauxhaul say there is no known fault with the handbrake in this car. However, S Walker has the same car as me, so i’d love to speak to them !! Or anyone else who has an Astra that has the same problem as me!!!
I’d also like to mention after speaking to GM (General Motors, owner of Vauxhall), they informed me that the Astra’s do infact have the same handbrakes as the Corsa’s.
Hi Rach
Please contact Vosa. address above, Martin Ryder.We’re not all crap parkers! Thanks for the info that Corsa and Astra are same braking system. Vauxhall deny any prob with any of their hand brakes. more than happy to chat about this.
Pauline
Purchased a New Vectra 2007. Looked out of the window to see the car very slowly going down the road. The car was left in gear luckily, so was having to turn the engine over. Managed to run after it and stop it before any damage ws done. Sent a letter to Vauxhall explaining that there was a design fault as the extending armrest blocks the full pull up position of the handbrake. As others I never received a reply.
To add insult to injury have just had my car serviced at a local Vauxhall dealership. On the way home a burning oil smell started to come into the car. stopped and found a large oily cloth (large T shirt back) draped on the engine. So much for the Service Booklet. (Having professional and exhaustive service checks and maintenance work helps keep your vehicle SAFE economical and operational.)
Hi Pauline.
Has anybody considered going to Watchdog ??? Because the Corsa was on their programme in January and featured the problems with the corsa, and as it has the same braking system ??
I have this week had same problem with Zafira rolling away when parked outside my home. Is there anyone else whois aware of problems withZafira
Hi Rach
Have emailed Watchdog twice. They are counting all emails re Vauxhall handbrakes and will do another programme when sufficient complaints are notified to tem.