15th Aug 2007, 06:16

We also have a 4 year old Vauxhall Zafira 1.8 model, and it is on its 3rd replacement starter motor and 2nd replacement ignition switch.

Faults have occurred without warning. Vauxhall have replaced all but the last one under warranty, but the last I have paid for; nothing for the lost time and breakdown recoveries though.

Same thing: the ignition switch is sticking and not returning to its normal position when the engine is started, hence the starter motor is still engaged and the overriding engine speed burns it out.

The breakdown men (6 so far) and others in the know who have had Zafiras tell me it is a common problem. It may be common, but not enough bad publicity for Vauxhall to be bothered doing anything about.

I used to have a company diesel Zafira that had engine management lights and loss of power.

Last Vauxhall I will ever buy.

16th Aug 2007, 17:30

I have a Vauxhall Zafira, 2.0DTI, and I too have been experiencing the same problem as many others. It has had the engine management light, coming on now and again, during motorway journeys, then loss of power. The problem has slowly got worse and worse, and this summer, on our way back from holiday, the car decided to crawl along the motorway at 55mph with the light permanently on, and me terrified at the wheel, that we would break down in the fast lane of the M5.

My husband, a mechanic, has been trying to diagnose the problem for ages, and has finally decided its the EGR valve. It's good to see we're not alone, and so many helpful people have posted their problems on this site. Good luck!!

31st Aug 2007, 08:37

I have a 2001 2.0 dti (Opel grey import) with the cold-starting problem. The Vauxhall dealer diagnosed a faulty ECU and recommended replacing the unit (costs: testing £170, replacement ECU £669 + labour to swap unit). Instead, I sent the suspect ECU to an independent tester who says it is not faulty according to his bench test, but suggests I now send him relay unit for testing. Another Vauxhaul dealer (my regular one for servicing) tells me the common faults are the injector leak-off pipe (I see previous comments with that fault) or the injector bridge seals (inside the engine) I'm not at the end of the road yet, but I advise anybody to check other owners comments for similar faults before going to a dealer.

5th Sep 2007, 07:37

Since purchasing our '02 Zafira 1.8 Comfort we have had nothing, but drama after drama. Seems as though there is now a club for unhappy Zafira owners.

After purchasing our Zafira left U.K. to go to Germany, 3 days before Xmas the engine management light came on along with the ESP light. Spent a small fortune at the local German Opel dealership (who informed me that the car was S**T in his best English).

Approximately 2 months later same fault. Airflow meter changed

Another couple of months down the road, leaving the house to drive back to the U.K. the car got very nervous and illuminated both Engine Management and ESP lights.

After leaving the car overnight, or starting the car after rain or damp weather both of these lights come on guaranteed.

ESP light will come on if cornering/braking first thing in the morning.

I have inspected the airflow system and have found that the airflow sensor (when unplugged with engine running) will illuminate both Engine Management System and ESP lights.

Since the Airflow sensor has been changed a number of times I feel pretty gutted to have been duped into buying an otherwise faultless car by a Vauxhall dealership.

9th Sep 2007, 17:37

After 139,000 of trouble free motoring in my 2052 Zafira 2.0 DTI Elegance I have just burnt out my third starter motor in 3 months. The engine seems fine, but then runs very poorly and then there is a severe burning smell.

You go to restart it and then nothing. My mechanic who has been excellent all the way along replacing each SM under its 1yr warranty reckons it could be an electrical fault.

Has anyone else had this problem?

21st Sep 2007, 04:59

After several years of generally trouble free motoring my 2000 Zafira Di Comfort has just died. The engine just cut out and would not start. My local garage (not Vauxhall) checked the car over and reported the error code to a local Vauxhall dealer. They said the failed part was unknown to them!! They then suggested replacing the fuel injection for £1600. My garage then went to a Vauxhall repair specialist who said that failing injection was known fault with diesel Zafira's and would cost around £1000. I was thinking about buying a new one before this incident, but I'm not so sure now.

25th Sep 2007, 09:10

Makes very interesting reading! Wish I'd have found this site before buying my 2.0 diesel Zafira elegance. (Y plate)

3 weeks ago the car lost power and the spanner light came on had to have complete fuel injection system replaced, everything cleaned through etc etc etc cost in total 2,300 euros (£1,586) (living in France now)

I can't let you know the mileage it's done because --- its back at the garage with the same/similar fault today, total loss of power, spanner light on!!!

I'd said before I'd never have another Vauxhall since a dreadful Cavalier in the 80's, I went and fell for it again. Absolute last time I ever touch one with a barge pole!

Miffed lady in France.

2nd Oct 2007, 16:22

High

Bought secondhand Zafira 2.0 dti elegance. Stumbled across this site. I have seen my engine management light come on, but have yet to experience power loss. Car at the moment starts well so it seems like I have more suprises in store for me. It seems that there is no real definite solution, but I will continue to check out this site with interest.

3rd Oct 2007, 16:49

Oh no, what a nightmare.

I have also bought a second hand 2002 Zafira Club, and you guessed it, it loses power when slowing down and changing gear, and all the lights come on.

Can anyone advise me what the ERG is, and what the best course of action is, apart from lobbing outside Vauxhall's head office.

Any advice appreciated. denisejack2005@yahoo.co.uk

5th Oct 2007, 18:05

Hi I have a zafira 1.8 16v w reg (2000) its done 160.000 miles it uses a lot of oil, but the main thing is that it hesitates when accelerating I have changed the camshaft sensor, fuel filter, spark plugs, oil, air filter... does anyone know what the problem is... i really would like to know without going to a dealer!!!

25th Oct 2007, 13:34

Thank god we stumbled on this site... Have a 2002 Zafira Club 1.6i and the EMS and spanner light came on recently when going round a round-a-bout. Bought a fault code reader from Ebay (around £25-£30) plugged it into car and diagnosed no faults... The tool will now be permanently in the car just in case. All else seems well with the car... at present...