2000 Vauxhall Zafira from UK and Ireland - Comments

One week after driving it away from the dealership, I checked the oil and there was no indication of oil on the dipstick. I had to by more oil for it even though it had just passed a Network Q service! Dealership were unwilling to admit the oil had been overlooked and suggested I monitor the the litre of oil that I had put in for one week. After the week was up I checked the oil and the level had remained the same, which proved I didn't have a serious problem with oil usage. Dealership said it would look into it further and I have heard nothing since!

The only other problem I have had is with the Fuel Gauge. The first month or so I had no problems, but now when the gauge is at the lower end of the range, one minute your OK on a quarter of a tank the next time you come to use it the petrol light is flashing or worse still the car doesn't start because its completely run out with no warnings! The local dealership has replaced the fuel sender, but its still un-reliable. Has anyone else had similar problems??

Just replying to the Zafira comment on fuel gauge. This morning I had the same problem with my W Reg 1.6 Comfort model. The previous night I had parked up with less than 1/4 shown on the tank display, but when I turned the key this morning - flashing no fuel warning and couldn't start the engine which resulted in me walking to the nearest garage...

Previously I have noted that although it shows low level at the start, this can increase after approx 5 minutes driving and then shows 1/4 full.

I'm puzzled and have resolved to never drive more than 300 miles before refilling...

I have a Zafira comfort and I too have had the same problems with the fuel warning light. I parked up at work leaving the car with a quarter of a tank and when I got back in the car after work the fuel light came on and stopped on until I had driven for about a two mile, then the gauge went back to one quarter full.

Apart from that I think the car is brilliant and a great improvement on the Vectra I had before it, what a dog that was.

My car is a May 02 model and has had problems with stiff gear change (lubricated), worn steering column bush (new column) and the same fuel gauge problem as stated above.

In frustration to the fuel gauge problem, I had to purchase a video camera to prove to the dealer the fault actually occurs. I have now contacted Vauxhall assistance to take the matter further as I have been fobbed off twice saying that it is a natural occurrence. The reason I have taken this step is that I ran out of fuel with my family on board in the middle of nowhere, fantastic!! Good luck to future owners.

I have also had problems with the fuel gauge. My vehicle is a 2000 Club and I was also recently stranded with my two children after a visit to the dentist. Luckily I was near to town and had my mobile phone to ring family for assistance. I noticed that the problem was exacerbated if the fuel shows 1/4 and I park on a slope. We have taken the car to the vauxhall dealership, but they have failed to rectify this fault. Subsequently I no longer let the fuel drop below 1/4 tank.

My vauxhall zafira 1.6 had similar problems when purchased I never checked the oil, but about 1,000 miles later I said to a friend about the noise from the engine he said it could be the tappets so upon inspection we found the engine was bone dry with no sign of oil at all. as this was a mobility gold it came pre serviced from them. I went to the dealer and complained about it and the fact that no oil warning light came on. They took it in to fix and top up the oil (HA) they told me it burns 1 liter of oil for every 600 mile and is mentioned in the hand book. Since then I check on a weekly basis, but last week it happened again oil right down below minimum and still no warning light. fuel gauge has a 1/4 take lea way according to them one minute 1/4 tank next none. I have traveled over 30 miles with the fuel light on solid. I have tried to use my mileage to judge the fuel left, but this is not always right. I never get the same on a full tank and have fun out about 5 times now. I now carry a full can of petrol at all times as should all zafira drivers. it is going in to get fixed again and I want to see the oil warning light work before taking it back. my only option is trade it in for a more reliable car, but I do like it very much if it did not have these problems I would recommend it to anyone.

D. Gillies.

I have a 1999 Zafira and have also had the same problems with the fuel gauge, however has anyone also had the problem of the brake callipers making a constant rubbing sound?. I was told that it was a designfault and could have it rectified free of charge, is this the case?

I have also had problems with the alarm horn going three times in three years, each time we have had to pay due to it being a different fault each time,, surprise surprise.

When you renew the brake light bulbs do your fog lights come on as well! or is that just mine?

And who elses air bag light is constantly lit, please let me know if any one is suffering the same problems as me.

We have just bought a second hand W reg Zafira Diesel. Is it normal for the car to slow down to a crawl when going up hill, we are constantly passed by H.G.V's when we are on the motorway. My other comment is that the electronic warning sign lights up for about 90% of the time. The vehicle was bought with full warranty from a reputable dealer. if this is a fault with our car only we will try to have the problems solved by the dealer, if it is a general finding we'll have to live with it.

In response to the fuel gauge problem. I have owned my 2001 Zafira Elegance 1.8 with no problems until last week. While driving along with approx 1/4 tank of fuel at 55 mph the needle took a dive to the red over a couple of seconds and the fuel warning light came, so did the fuel computer digital "range" reading start to plummet. I looked out my rear view mirror to see if my fuel tank had droppped all of it's contents. But no. When I slowed below 50mph the fuel reading returned to 1/4 full. I then proceeded to "fill up" at the closest fuel station. The next day, as soon as I reached 55mph (regardless of incline) the fuel gauge and fuel computer took a dive to about 1/4 full! On slowing down the fuel gauge returned to the correct level! I contacted Vauxhall and they said that the fuel gauge system is electronically controlled and that they recommend a diagnostic session where they will reset/reprogram the system. They also added that the fuel system can "get out of sync", whatever that means. Anyway the car is booked in for next week for diagnosis. Who knows?!

I imported a Zafira 2.2 petrol, back in 2000, with loads of extras saving nearly 5K.

However, since its last vauxhall service it has performed poorly. MPG has stayed about the same, 360 miles per tank, but I am driving very conservatively. I've had two different garages look at it and they say everything is o.k. it is tuned by computer and there's nothing they can do!

In the last few month the car seems to be using oil and the noise from the engine has grow considerably which made me take it to the garage again. This time the diagnosis is a worn timing chain! After 54K is this right?? The mechanic stated that the chain had worn and the tensioner was at its limit and with the cover off I could see the chain with 1/2" slack. As the car spent 9 days in the garage mainly waiting for parts this does not seem to be a common fault, but Vauxhall said speak to Opel and as the car is 3+ years old there's nothing they can do.

Shouldn't the chain last considerably longer than a cam belt? What recourse do I have with the manufacturer as this has to be a fault in the car. With hire car this has just cost me £850s.

Beware of noisy 2.2s as this could be a serious issue if the chain comes off!

I am considering purchasing a Vauxhall Zafira Life or Design A/T Petrol this year. I would be interested in reading any issues that I should be aware of to make an informed decision. Thank you.

Hello, the fuel gauge my Zafira, also fluctuates. But this ONLY happens when it is below a quarter level.

My assumption is that it DOES take a little time to resume it's original level. But while it decides where it's at, it doesn't help the situation while driving around corners and roundabouts.

It does not help either... to then turn the engine off again.

But just buy one... I would not let a fuel gauge determine whether I was going to buy a Zafira. We have had ours for 6/7 weeks and we are really happy with it.

Hi, I'm an Australian with a Zafira 2.2L TT (manual). Very happy with car overall, but left stranded few times. First ignition coils burn, had to wait for a replacement from Europe, thankfully still under warranty (just). Second, battery in key flat, car immobilized works very well, indeed I had to pay $220 to get the chip reset. Third, timing chain has big problem, from a very silent car I had now it sounds like a diesel truck, repair cost is about $2,000 (64,000 km on odometer). Be ware.

Hi all I have a 2000 Opel Zafira and I think anybody looking at buying should consider the following.

Every 40 000 you need to change the timing belt, pulleys and water pump. failure to do this could result in complete destruction of your engine. also on mine that has done 75k both back windows do not wind up or down they are electric, the alternator has been changed twice, the airbag light is on I have just had to change the lambda sensor, the electric mirrors have packed up, the heater has packed up. nice to drive, but in comparison my Honda accord 1996 model has done 150k and has not given a days trouble new oil every 5k and its still perfect, makes you think doesn't it.

Kris.

Ireland.

My 2000 Zafira rear windows stopped working and I traced it to the wiring harness between the car body and rear doors - the insulation had hardened and the wires fractured blowing the fuse for central locking as well. Only other annoying problem is the engine (1.8 ECOTEC) conking out at idle. Dealer fixed this at 60,00 miles, but it's doing it again now (70,000 miles)

Regarding Zafira cutting out when idle. This is caused by the butterfly flap in the air intake sticking as a result of carbon build up. Spray carb spray into the air intake whilst reving the engine. This will clear the problem.