16th Jan 2008, 14:19
This was featured again on Watchdog this evening. The problem has also spread to Corsas. Apparently Vauxhall are going to modify the handbrakes on Vectras and Signums by adding an extra spring. Vauxhall are going to be sending letters to all vectra/signum owners.
25th Jan 2008, 03:46
Given the recent news on Watchdog that Vauxhall are to introduce a scheme to add an additional spring to the handbrake mechanism of Vectras/Signums in this age range, has anyone else been on to Vauxhall to pursue the idea that this is an admission of "a problem"? I've written to them several times before with no joy, and again since the Watchdog programme. They still say there is NO problem with the handbrake, and that they are not liable to repair costs despite the vehicle still being under manufacturer's warranty. Anyone else had better luck?
22nd Feb 2008, 13:27
Just had the same thing happen to me; my 03 Vectra rolled out of our drive and stopped in our neighbours garden after damaging the gates and the bumper. Knew nothing of Vauxhall's problems until I read today of the same thing happening in our local newspaper (Belfast Telegraph).
Rang the dealership I bought the car from today 22/2/08 and was told by the salesman he knew nothing of any problems.
22nd Feb 2008, 19:17
Hi all, just part ext my Astra SRi for a 56 plate Signum. Needed more space with having kids, knew nothing at all about the handbrake issues, had it a week and my partner was in the car parked up, waiting for the kids from school and she just started to go backwards really slowly; not good.
I went work the next day, sat there reading the Sun and there it was in black and white telling you about the handbrake fault, so I took it to the garage, they checked it and said nothing wrong at all with the handbrake or brakes, but they will put me 1st on the list when they get a say so that there is something wrong so they can fix it, what!!!
Oh, and they gave me a sticker telling me, well every one knows what the sticker says. The man at the garage to be fair did say the sticker is a cop out.. nice.
26th Feb 2008, 04:37
5 days after purchasing a Vectra Exclusive in September 2006, I parked the car on a slight incline while I opened our office compound gates. I was returning to the car when it began to roll backwards and hit one of the gate posts, causing considerable damage to the car. After repair the car was taken to the local Vauxhall dealer who inspected the handbrake and reported no problem. After accessing Emails from other owners and contacting Vauxhall my car was taken in and the handbrake was replaced. Vauxhall subsequently reported that investigation of the original handbrake had found no fault. I have since received my sticker advising how to apply the handbrake. There have also been 2 instances where the handbrake released while the car was parked. Fortunately I was sitting in the car.
Ronald.lorimer@tesco.net
5th Mar 2008, 09:55
I own a 2003 Vectra 1.8LS and conversely I have never had any problems with the handbrake - BUT - I have it regularly serviced by a local garage that services cars the old fashioned way. I am not a fan of dealer servicing as little 'maintenance' seems to go on - they just replace bits!
6th Mar 2008, 09:28
We own a 1999 Vauxhall Vectra. Our main problem is that the hand brake keeps snapping. We have had it repaired twice already since we bought it last year and still the problem persists. Please advise the proper way of applying the hand brakes. Do you press in the handbrake top knob first then pull up or you just pull it from bottom and only press in the knob when releasing the handbrake? The second option causes some screeching on metal sound. I use the first option and my husband the alternative which leads me to think that one of us applies them wrongly resulting in them snapping constantly.
9th Mar 2008, 18:14
I am a former mechanic. It is interesting to read these comments as handbrake problems with runaway Vectras (marketed in New Zealand as Holden Vectra) have recently come to light here. Many of the submissions on this site involve handbrakes that have been applied, (some in circumstances where the car was on a steep slope and would have run away instantly if it were not applied, thereby eliminating the obvious possibility of the driver erring by failing to apply the handbrake.) In such cases, it would appear that the handbrakes' ratchet mechanisms have failed. Discussions in NZ have focused on replacement of a spring, which is probably the one under the release button that engages the pawl in the ratchet mechanism. The standard spring may be breaking or just too weak, which leads to the pawl not engaging in the toothed part of the ratchet mechanism, causing it to eventualy slip. If this is the case, a partial release of the handbrake lever (leading to the handbrake remaining partly applied, but possibly not enough to stop the vehicle) is possible, but a complete slip (to handbrake lever fully off position) is more likely. If either of these problems are happening, it is a serious defect; (handbrakes clearly should not slip off on their own) however, one can understand GM/Vauxhall/Holden's dialemma in that now every turkey that has forgotten to put the their Vectra's handbrake on, or applied it too weakly, is keen to blame a runaway event on mechanical failure.
22nd Mar 2008, 09:54
No problems with handbrake so far, I never fail to leave the car in gear.
The salesmen never mentioned this problem when I purchased the car if they had obviously no sale.
Would any one like to comment on the drive by wire accelerator delay or the clutch that seems to have been designed for a different car, car also over revs between gear changes I have seen on another forum this is due to the model having a heavy flywheel? This is my sixth vauxhall and third Vectra and I can't wait to get rid of it..
Vectra Exclusive 1.8vvt six months old.
3rd May 2008, 04:06
As one of the people who's already posted to this board, I've just received my notice from Vauxhall Customer Service (contradiction in terms!!) for the remedial handbrake work - and to book my Signum into the local dealership. Still no admission of guilt on tehir part nor offer to cover the cost of repair to the damage done by the faulty handbrake.
Has anyone else had the call-back note yet, and has anyone tried to use it as a way of pressuring Vauxhall into something more substantive?
13th Jan 2008, 09:48
I have a 2006 Vectra which I bought in July 2007. I have just parked it at the top of a hill at my mother in laws house with the handbrake on. I looked outside and my car had rolled down the hill and smashed into another car; both cars are damaged, mine the worst. After I phoned a few people I know with Vectras, I found out they had letters sent out to them about the problem with the handbrake. I have had nothing.
I can t afford to lose my no claims bonus, which is 70%. My car is bought through Motability as I depend on it for my disabled child. Who do I contact about getting this sorted. My email is lornag71@btinternet.com
When I bought the car I was not warned by the dealership about the handbrake, and did receive the letter and stickers about this problem.