2000 Vauxhall Vectra CDX from UK and Ireland - Comments

A huge long list of problems including:

Faults at purchase:

CD/Stereo drained battery flat 3 times.

Windscreen made strange "cracking" noise whilst driving.

Drivers seat squeaks.

Computer reset button on the end of stalk flew out of the window.

Back parcel shelf rattled.

Seat belt light came on.

Various warning messages on computer display.

Ash tray jammed shut.

Steering wheel has a strange rubbing sound when turning corners.

Indicators refused to cancel (almost causing a serious accident).

Faults which have occurred since purchase:

Oil level sensor faulty.

Headlight Sensor faulty.

Camshaft Sensor Faulty.

Driver seat now rattles badly.

Locking wheel nuts seized solid.

I purchased the car from new and it cost me £23,000. The car then spent the next 12 months in and out of the garage at regular intervals (at least once a month).

The faults identified during the 12 months were all "fixed" temporarily (most have re-appeared), however in the vast number of cases, the fixing of the faults resulted in other damage by the dealer to the car. For instance, when the ask tray jammed shut, they freed it up, but managed to mark the trim which sits just in front of it. They promised to replace it, but never did.

When the computer trip button flew out of the window on a nice sunny day, they replaced the stalk, but in the process, snapped the steering cover fixing (the cover now sticks up on the left). Again they promised to fix it, but didn't.

When the CD player drained the battery, at first they simply charged the battery up and claimed they had fixed the problem. When it happened again, they made a modification to the CD player to reduce the drain, however the problem was never resolved entirely.

Recently, I broke down on the M3. Just prior to the car stopping, various computer check lights and messages appeared and then disappeared. The cause was a number of sensors which I was told all went wrong at the same time! Cost of repair was £600.

During it's 3 year life there have been so many faults, I could write a book about it.

I have owned Vauxhall cars since 1978. I will never buy one again. My advice to all those considering the Vectra - Avoid it like the plague.

Well...I Feel sorry for you mate, because my 2000 Vectra CD 2.0 16V have been boringly reliable, since I bought in May of 2000.

I've had a few mondeos, but they have not even been close to my 2000 vectra cd, perhaps the guy in the fist review had a bad one, realy they are a good car 10 out of 10 is my review.

I am suprised at the number of faults you have experienced. I too have a CDX 2.0 and have found it to be a very nice car, a little on the boring side, but ideal for my 170 miles a day drive. I recently had a conversion over to LPG, and now pay around £12 to do 300 miles. I know what you mean about the strange cracking noise, I have this, but I feel it is due to the windscreen being put in incorrectly, as mine had a new screen shortly after I purchased it. The rubbing noise, simply the pump delivering fluid to the rack to give assistance, it's a bit annoying, but does not bother me. My drivers seat is also a little odd, mainly the height adjuster does not lock properly, allowing the seat to move slightly under heavy braking, but again it doesn't bother me. Overall, the important things all work, such as the engine, climate control and such like. I'd give it 8 out of 10.

I have owned a Vectra CDX DTI diesel for 2.5 years and have had only 2 problems

1) air con stuck on full when switched on

2) Bushes on rear suspension prematurely worn causing knocking from rear

Apart from these the car has gone very well.

I have recently bought a 2000 CDX estate and the car has got 51k on the clock. I have had the air bag light on which has something to do with the wiring loom in the passenger seat, but a trip to my local VX dealer has resolved it at a cost of £49. The car itself is good and so far appart from the airbag no problems. It has just passed its MOT with no problems at all.

The cracking noise that others have mentioned is nothing to do with the windscreen itself, its the plastic air vent in front of the windscreen that expands and contracts depending on the temp that is set in the car, all the vectra's I have been in or owned also do the same.

All in all a nice looking car which can now be picked up for next to nothing. I hope to get a lot more miles out of it!!

April 4th 2006.

I just had a c.d.x. 2 litre vec on a 2000 v-plate and love it

the only thing I have wrong is the camshaft sensor light

and that the climate/a.c. is hard to understand.

The car is great and don't know if anyone has this problem

on the air/con. press auto and lights up turn to cold, but still a bit warm and when you turn the blower down the auto light goes off. is this how it should work just one fast blowing setting when on and dont go any lower than (LO) on the digi guage.

Well, I own an R reg CDX DTi and Like the first guy, I could easily write a book on the subject of Vectra maintenance or at least, why to get rid after 5 years...

Recurrent problems include:

Sensors failing (Mass air flow, Oil level) at great expense to 'fix'.

Fuel 'drain-back' from the filter, so if the car is left for more than a couple of days it takes about 5 minutes of turning over before starting (to get rid of air in the pipeline).

Premature wearing of bushes and suspension parts (also on my Astra!) which require regular replacement.

Retaining screws for cambelt went through a phase of working lose and falling out. (Luckily I caught these in time before serious problems!)

Engine management light randomly comes on and goes into 'protection mode' so the turbo cuts out and you're stuck doing 30mph on a motorway.

Rust!!! Say no more.

Internal fan now only works if you kick it in the appropriate place, display lights haven't worked for years even though the bulbs and wiring appear to be fine.

Multi cd changer also refuses to work now.

To her credit, she has done just shy of 160k and although a little 'boring' I have enjoyed the drive when she works!

Anyone have a fix for 1996 vectra 2.0 cdx display. since putting dash back in, display shows oil lack and '0' range for fuel sometimes show -45. degree outside temp?

Won't reset itself or change.

I have just said goodbye to my 1997 Vectra CDX after it was hit head on by a Citroen Saxo full of drunk teenagers. I suffered neck sprain and had to spend the night in hospital. The car did well and I think this is because of the hard shell chassis technology GM pioneered for this car.

I have owned my 2000 2.01 CDX estate since Sept 05. Having read the other reviews, there seems to be a pattern and mine is no different.

My Vectra has got 77K on the clock and I have had the following problems:- Cam shaft Sensor, headlight sensor, rear suspension bushes, air bag light (wiring under front passenger seat) headlight seal broken and new lense required.

That said, I do like my Vectra, its still looks good, drives well and I get 41 MPG on a run when not pushing it too hard. It has plenty of room in the boot and is fairly comfortable on long journey's.

At the end of the day the thing is almost 9 years old and would cost next to nothing to buy one nowadays. The odd knock, squeak just adds character!!!