29th Jan 2009, 04:11

I posted on here around six months ago due to problems with my Zafira Elegance (2000). We bought it on 15 Feb '08, and by 21 Feb it was in the garage with the engine management light on and misfiring!

They replaced the DIS pack and spark plugs, but a month later it went back - they cleaned the spark plugs as they said they were dirty!!! Another month later it needed a new airflow meter, and three months after this the spanner light kept coming on - it was drinking oil like there was no tomorrow - the garage had it for four weeks over the summer and couldn't find out why it was using so much oil - we did have a valve replaced though.

Got it back early September, and apart from having to top the oil up about every 10 days, it was as good as gold - it even passed its MOT in October with flying colours!!

Then on Christmas Eve, the spanner light came on again - we topped the oil up, but hey presto, driving to parents on Christmas Day the engine management light came on - it went in the garage 29th December and we were told more valves had gone, there was a gasket leak and other major problems with the engine - it would have cost £1500 to repair (on top of the approx £3000 we'd already spent in less than a year) or £1900 for a new engine!

That was it, we parted company there and then - I have to say it's a massive relief in a way and I will NEVER buy another Zafira as long as I live - I've learnt my lesson. I'm now driving our Astra Estate, which we've had three and a half years and has only once let us down. When it comes to replacing it, I think I will (very carefully!) look at a Megane or Xsara Picasso.

29th Jan 2009, 04:34

I'm a recent Zafira owner, a 52 plate with 70k miles. I am experiencing the spluttering every now and then. Usually when slowing rather than accelerating.

I have no dash lights on, but did take it for the obligatory Vauxhall 30 minute health check. There was a log of an 02 sensor, but the technician said it was an old code. I have just run a bottle of fuel cleaner through it, which seemed to be doing the trick until today when it drove like a complete donkey on the school run.

Sitting here now debating what to do next. I have the RAC card sitting in front of me, but guessing they will advise like a lot of you have mentioned, every sensor ever made for the flaming thing.

Any suggestions.?? Cheers, Shawn.

9th Feb 2009, 14:11

I have been reading so many of these reviews and today I think I've solved it - not good.

I have a Vauxhall Zafira Club 02 plate 1.6 with 50k on the clock. My engine management light has been going on and off for about 6 months, took it to my local garage who have put it on their machine twice for me free of charge and it shows misfire!

In the last 4 weeks it has got worse, now drives at 10 miles an hour, light still going on and off, cuts out at every give way if it gets to it!

Had a coil pack, EGR valve and new battery done just recently. Grudgingly put it into Vauxhall - cost £65 for diagnostic and they have told me I have sticky valve, it will cost between £800 to £1500 to get it decoked (?) in other words take the head off and clean all valves out, gutted to say the least!

I hope this helps others out there seemingly very common. I've had not one problem in 3 years with this car, thought I'd get more that that out of it for the money I paid. Who has £1500 lying about to fix their car!

20th Feb 2009, 08:22

Updated post.

Mine started spluttering again today. Kind of kangaroo jumped for 20 minutes driving. Took it to the garage and he plugged it in (by which time it had stop spluttering) and the plug in showed nothing. He thinks it's the cat but he's not sure. Told me to run it till it go's. thankfully he didn't charge me for the plug in (you can get them on ebay for £20 anyway).

So on we go... let's see when it stalls again. Hopefully not on a dangerous junction with my kids three kids in the back and a 50 ton arctic racing towards me.

20th Feb 2009, 18:53

I love my petrol 2005 Vauxhall Zafira. The design is great, but we have just started to have power loss on motorway with 60k on clock. It's down right dangerous, and Vauxhall need to be answerable for it. Will try the cheapest options suggested on this site, but then will get rid. Any suggestions for a people mover that is as small and well designed?

1st Mar 2009, 07:20

Updated again.

Mines done its spluttering every now and then in the last week or two. Just hoping it will hold out for another 5 or 6 weeks when I come into some money, then I'm gonna hopefully trade it in and get a good price for it.. then it can be the traders problem... give their guys in the garage something to do.

Then my intentions are to get a VW Touran. It's a more expensive car against your like for like Zafira, but I'm bitterly disappointed with my car. 4,600 quid of my hard earned cash and I'm hoping to cut any losses even before I fork out for those repairs. Judging by everyone else's expenses, I don't wanna pay £500-£1500. In fact I couldn't afford it for basic repairs.

Had a problem with a Fiat not long ago.. now I avoid them like the plague.. Looks like Vauxhall is on that list too.

26th Mar 2009, 13:53

Hi all,

I have been reading some of the comments and am now a very depressed owner of an Opel Zafira 03 Diesel.

I have had the same problems as many others with loss of power and occasional EMS light coming on. I have to say it usually happens after driving through a puddle (coincidence??). Having had the car for 3 days Vauxhall dealers have now told me that it needs a new ECU at a staggering £2000+. £1700 for the part alone.

Can anyone tell me where to find this item so that I can check out the gold plating and all the diamonds that must be on it.

Is there anything else to try?