17th Oct 2007, 15:21

In answer to the above topic re VOSA, I reported my runaway Vectra to them, but it turns out they are toothless (rather than ruthless!!) in such matters. Unlike their American counterparts, they cannot force Vauxhall to institute a recall, but can merely 'work with them to resolve matters'.

I was told anecdotally by VOSA that there had been two fatalities, including one being investigated by Greater Manchester Police, plus one 'serious injury'.

One can merely hope that if a case runs in Court, a brave Judge will make what seems to be an obvious decision on liability.

23rd Oct 2007, 09:41

I've received an email from BBC saying that they are showing an update on Wednesday nights BBC Watchdog programme.

Joanne Burke.

Steveburke1@hotmail.co.uk.

27th Oct 2007, 15:01

I am also a Vectra C driver; it has rolled away a couple of times. Luckily, no-one was hurt.

31st Oct 2007, 11:34

Hi all.

It's not just Vectra's you know, I have a runaway Signum!

My wife parked in a small close outside her uncles house, she has done the same a couple of times nearly every day for the last 15 years in different cars.

She locked the car and walked away only to hear a bang and turn to see it crunch into the next door neighbours Nissan Micra.

Fortunately no one was hurt and only a broken number plate for us, but it cost £200 to repair the Nissan. My wife was distraught and blamed herself even though I explained you couldn't get out of the car if you hadn't applied the handbrake properly. I was pleased to see the Watchdog show on this as she then felt a lot better about the whole thing.

Having read some of the input here I count myself very lucky, particularly as the neighbour has three young children who play out in front of the house.

Mike1001@fsmail.net.

2nd Nov 2007, 15:35

Hi.

All comments are noted. Would new people who leave comments on this site leave an email address. Otherwise all we are left with is an interesting story.

To the rest of you, the matter is still under control. Research is still being carried out.

Please, please, new complainants - please leave email addresses. They will not be passed by me to a third party without your consent. But it makes it easier at this end.

Kindest regards.

Dave.

3rd Nov 2007, 09:32

I had a new Vectra delivered 9th Dec 2005. A couple of days later I had arrived home from work, parked the car on the ever so slightly inclined driveway and walked towards the back door. As I was entering the door I was startled by a loud thud from the front of the house, only to find the car on the green on the other side of the road where kids often play.

My fleet business people and Vauxhall tried to convince me I was the dumbo for not parking the car in reverse gear on my drive, something I have never had the need to do in 38 years of driving. I now have no confidence in the hand brake and am counting the days to the lease expiry date; no more Vauxall's for me.

Interestingly enough, my next door neighbours Vectra was seen passing my front window driverless a couple of weeks earlier; he is sales manager for the local dealership!

TD NORTH WALES.

6th Nov 2007, 04:23

Hi,

When in Ireland for a short break with my wife and 2 friends, we hired a Vauxhall Vectra From Avis at Belfast airport on 20/04/07. Drove out to Letterkenny to a rented house which had a very steep driveway.

Parked the Vectra at the top of the driveway that night. Handbrake was applied properly and also left in gear.

Looked out window about 30 minutes later and the Vectra had rolled down the driveway and collided with a crash barrier opposite, damaging the bumper. The handbrake was in the off position.

The following day while sitting at set of traffic lights, and with handbrake applied, the handbrake jumped off, car rolled back and I applied the footbrake.

Returned Vectra to Avis on 23/04/07 and informed them.

They charged me £190 for repair to Vectra, and said they would check vehicle

Phoned them about a week later and they said handbrake was fine.

Phoned Vauxhall UK to inform them there may be a problem with vectra handbrakes, but they denied it saying there was nothing wrong with their handbrakes.

Gerry.

Ryang347@aol.com

31st Dec 2007, 06:18

On Saturday 29th December I returned to the village Hall car park and my 07 plate Vauxhall had rolled backwards and into a wall. Luckily no one was hurt.

What are the procedures for repairs... ie is it best to make a complaint and then have the repairs carried out and then pursue Vauxhall.

I would point out I had a similar problem with a 54 plate Vectra and I did receive a sticker. I assumed the problem had been sorted out as I had nothing with my 07 plate car!

2nd Jan 2008, 05:12

The post about Sales of Goods Act is a good one. After 5 months of letters and visits to the dealership I approached a solicitor who took my case on. After 1 letter they caved in and offered me a refund less £1000 for wear and tear on the vehicle, which I took since it would have cost £750 to start a court case and get a Barristers opinion.

As I state in my first posting on 3rd June 2007 I had 2 problems with my new Vectra, steering as well as the handbrake.

In December I had a phone call from General Motors Customer Care dept. to see if I was happy with the way my complaint was handled. I guess you all know my reply to that.

8th Jan 2008, 16:11

I went on holiday to Ireland in April 2003 and was given a 2002 model Opel Vectra by the car hire company I used. The house I was staying in was near the top of a hill, and on returning from a shopping trip I parked the Vectra on the driveway, and applied the handbrake correctly. While getting my shopping out of the car the handbrake failed. As the drivers door was open it hit me, I was knocked backwards, and my ankle ended up getting run over by the car. I spent eight weeks with my leg in plaster. The car stopped when it smashed into a concrete fence. This was fortunate as it if it had gone through the fence it would have dropped into the garden of the house below which had children playing in it.

Even before I got to hospital I contacted the hire company to come and take the car away. I was concerned the same thing would happen again, and I had no way of making the car safe. I was concerned somebody would be more seriously injured than I had been.

As I hadn't taken out personal injury insurance with the hire company I had no recompense. At this time there were no documented reports of problems with this model, though a mechanic I knew told me he had already heard of similar incidents. I was left with months of pain, physio, and an ankle which has never been right since.

I contacted Opel Ireland to advise them of the problem with the car, and to tell them they needed to do something about this or someone would be killed.

I can't believe that four years later the problem is still occurring and they have done nothing about this.

Siobhan105@googlemail.com.