1999 Vauxhall Zafira Comfort from UK and Ireland - Comments

At 3200 miles - the windscreen would not demist without putting the air con on. Returned it to the dealers who did something - and it appears OK now.

At 7400, 7500, 7600 and continually up to 13500 miles the engine cuts out under deceleration (i.e. approaching a junction or roundabout). The car has been in to the dealers on six occaisions for this problem and it has yet to be resolved. I was told by Vauxhall that it was the fuel I was using - I don't think SO!!! Still waiting to hear what this months reason is.

Also find that the trim around the ignition and door handle etc gets scratched very easily making the inside of the cockpit look tatty.

Very poor reliability.

Cutting out causes serious doubts in safety of the vehicle.

Dealer slow to respond

Space and comfort in the car is second to none in this class.

Hi, just found this interesting page. I have a "Opel" Zafira 1.8 with similar problems. My engine fails acceleration in slow speed when it's cold and is not running smooth (as an old engine having too lean a mixture). I'm negotiating with my local dealer to replace/return the car because they can't fix it (reprogrammed the car 3 times already).

Regards from Leif in Sweden (leifjoha@algonet.se)

Your problem is the car's idle control valve, get it replaced. Am I right in saying it only cuts out when not in gear, or whilst changing when the clutch is down?

Interested to hear your comments as looking to buy a Zafira.

Had a '95 1.6 Astra with similar cut out problems. Never solved by dealership or UK Vauxhall central service!

I also have an Opel Zafira 1.8 CDX with the same engine cut out problems.

The problems are not only in decelleration, very often also at constant speed the car proceeds in a discontinuous way (the engine seems to loose power for a while).

It would be very nice to know if someone succeeded in solving the problem.

Lorenzo from Italy.

It may be well off the mark here, but regarding your engine cut out problems, I had a '95 2.0l 16v Cavalier which was forever cutting out when you slowed down for junctions, parking, etc. In each case the idle air bleed valve required cleaning, it would solve the problem for a short time. I had a similar problem with my present Vectra 2.0 SRI, they now have a modified valve for the problem. Since fitting, the car has been OK.

I had TWO Vectras with identical problems. Vauxhall replaced the first after 12 months & 36k miles. The second had the same problem, which was never cured and I totalled the car into the back of another at a roundabout - the engine cut and the brakes only worked once (I didn't hear the engine cut because the radio was on). Our fleet has over 300 Vectras and many had the same problem. It was apparently due to poor connections at the wire ends leading into the engine management system.

Martin.hamilton@cableinet.co.uk.

Cheers!

Definately the idle control valve.

I have the same problem with the cutting out on the Vauxhall Vectra Estate 1.8 (automatic). You will be driving along and the engine will cut out for no apparent reason. It is a bit of a worry on corners.

Definitely renew your idle control valve and using the right fuel isn't as silly as it sounds. My Vectra 1.8 kept cutting out at roundabouts, I was using supermarket fuel, changed to Shell and it's never done it since.

I have a Zafira 2.0DTI with a fuel management system. Trouble is the language is in Dutch. I haven't the slightest idea how to change it. It came this way from the dealers as an import. Secondly the CD/Radio (CDR500) does not appear to work the display screen which it certainly should. Are there any wise owls who can offer advice before I take it to the dealers and spend ££££?

Bren.

Re the problem with your Zafira radio display not functioning: I have just solved exactly the same problem with my brand new 2003 model 2.0DTI Zafira. My Vauxhall dealer took the dashboard etc. all apart and discovered a bent pin on the multi connector box (I think). He bent it back and now it all works perfectly. Incidentally, the problem did not show up on their computerised "Tech 2" investigation. I hope this helps.

On a related matter, does anybody know where I can buy or download a manual for the VDO CDR500 radio which came with this car? Or does anyone know of a way to program the radio always to come on at a given volume level? I constantly have to turn up the volume to an audible level when I first start the car - and it's slightly irritating!

Try cleaning the butterfly valve and the chamber surrounding it, it should cure the cutting out problem it worked for me,1.8 Zafira Comfort. email bwiggins@ntlworld.com.

Help. Been reading comments about car cutting out at junctions and lights etc. Also if it does'nt cut out the revs reduce to about 400rpm then go up again. Is this normal. What do I do to stop it conking out. Did replacing the Valve work?. would apreciate anyones remarks.thx.

My problem is specifically with the CDR500 CD player in the car - have lost the manual and need to input the code after a battery disconnection - my in-car display does not function at the moment and I need to put code in 'blind'. Can anyone help please; email me harryhogg55@hotmail.com.

I have just purchased a oct 2003 1.6 zafira. The cdr500 does not work. The display lights up when the radio is switched on, it displays "safe" reverts quickly to "panel" and then turns its self off!

Any ideas as to how to restore this, I have tried disconnecting the battery, followed the hand book all to fail.

Any ideas would be grand.

Richard.