Opel is recalling 8,000 Zafira B cars in Ireland, following a series of fires.
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In a statement today, Opel said it is working with authorities to write to all owners of right-hand drive, electronic climate control (ECC) models of Zafira built between 2005 and 2014.
“If you are concerned about operating your vehicle or if you notice any unusual characteristics with the heating and ventilation system (for example a squeaking noise from the dashboard) you should contact your Opel dealer and arrange for your vehicle to be inspected”.
Opel here is to ask owners of all fire-risk Zafiras to take the cars to dealers for a free check. At least two are known to have happened in Ireland, the most recent as a vehicle was waiting to board the auto ferry at Passage East in Co Cork. He managed to escape, but the auto was destroyed.
Emergency services were called to the scene after a man was forced to abandon his auto when it caught fire.
The blame has been attributed to a problem with the car’s ventilation system, especially in models with manual air-conditioning.
The company says the fires are linked to the heating and ventilation systems, but will not speculate as to the cause of the fault.
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Vauxhall’s own investigations have suggested that the problem could be triggered by previous repairs being performed improperly, or using non-genuine parts, according to reports in Britain.
