Calls for a national database after a string of Vauxhall fire incidents

Following a string of vehicle fires, Vauxhall has had to recall around 1 million 1.4 litre petrol vehicles.

The Vauxhall fire crisis started in 2015 when 234,938 Vauxhall Zafira B models were recalled, as Zafira owners reported problems with the heating and ventilation system.

It looks like the crisis isn’t slowing down!

Angry owners took matters into their own hands by starting a Facebook page and bringing it to the attention of the BBC Watchdog programme. Following an investigation, Vauxhall made a swift recall under the supervision of the Driver Standards Agency (DVSA).

Vauxhall’s luck wasn’t any better this year when 865,000 Vauxhall Corsa D and E models were also recalled due to a heater wiring fault that can cause fires behind the dashboard. Some may say this is déjà vu caused by the same problems as the Zafira B vehicles. Corsa D models made between 2006 and 2014 may be at risk, and over 700,000 of these models have been sold in the U.K.

In April this year, Vauxhall identified a fault with the braking system in some of the Corsa D models too. This meant that water could seep into the system, upset the electrics, and cause a fire.

It seems as though many models are affected, but not many have heard about what’s going on. This could be because vehicle fires aren’t always forwarded onto the DVSA.

Are Vauxhall doing enough?

From BBC and affected vehicle owners’ reports, it is alleged that Vauxhall has taken a relaxed attitude towards this issue. One owner, Adrienne Boxhall, reported the issue to Vauxhall about her Corsa D catching fire in August last year but they “were not interested“.

Vauxhall only investigates a matter if the owner’s insurer found evidence of a manufacturing defect. As Ms Boxhall’s insurer didn’t investigate the fire, and just paid the claim, Vauxhall was unable to investigate as there was no evidence to look at!

This isn’t good enough – Ms Boxhall and other consumers must be provided with an answer. To date, she’s still left with no answers as to why her car went up in flames in the middle of the night.

Importance of consumer safety

Vauxhall released a statement to say that:

“…customer safety is of the utmost importance and we take any report of fire very seriously.”

They also appeared to try and deflect responsibility from themselves by saying that “fires can occur for a wide variety of reasons”. However, this doesn’t address Ms Boxhall’s concerns. Regardless of the owners’ insurers, it’s widely believed that the automaker has a responsibility to provide their consumers with answers and pay compensation where it’s rightfully due.

Calls for a national database and detailed records

Due to the lack of information about vehicle fires, there’s growing support for a national database to record car fires following incidents involving Vauxhall models. Transport Select Committee Member Rob Flello MP welcomes the idea of a database as it would “help the consumer to know that their vehicle is as safe as it could be”. It could not only helps the consumer make an informed decision when they’re purchasing a car, but can also help British automakers improve their safety procedures.

Chris Blacksell, of the Chief Fire Officers’ Association, also supports a database of this kind as he states that it allows people to analyse the data and spot trends in which Vauxhall vehicles are safest. Keeping more detailed records is important to stop further sales of dangerous vehicles and keep families safe.

Keeping detailed records or producing a national database isn’t just limited to the motor industry, and may be useful across other industries. Another example of this is Whirlpool tumble driers, where over four million machines were reportedly at risk of fires.

Records could keep the consumers aware of what products are affected and, in turn, allow them to make more informed decisions for purchases.

Sources:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-38227041

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-37822792

http://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/warning-over-fires-in-vauxhall-cars-as-fire-chief-calls-for-national-database-of-incidents/story-29967483-detail/story.html

http://www.vauxhall.co.uk/zafiracustomeradvice.html