Opel owners may have to pay for own solution after Zafira catches fire in Cork

Update 9.10pm: Opel Ireland has released a statement asking people with any concerns to contact their local Opel dealers and arrange to have their vehicle inspected.

Opel Ireland Statement on Opel Zafira fires

Opel is currently carrying out an investigation following reports of fire in the area of the heating and ventilation system in an extremely low number of Opel Zafiras (Zafira B model launched in 2005, not current Zafira Tourer). While the number of incidents is extremely low in proportion to the number of vehicles on the road, we take this issue very seriously and will take further action. There have been reports of a fire today (29th October 2015) in an Opel Zafira in Passage West, Co Cork. While it is too early to say the cause of the fire, or its relation to other cases, Opel will be working with the local authorities to identify the root cause as part of its overall ongoing investigation.The safety of our customers is the number one priority. Our investigations to date have found that a number of incidents have occurred due to previous repairs being performed improperly or using certain non-genuine parts. If you are concerned about operating your vehicle or if you notice any unusual characteristics with the heating and ventilation system (for example a squeaking noise from the dashboard) you should contact your Opel dealer and arrange for your vehicle to be inspected. This will be done at no cost. Opel will consider further actions as appropriate.For further information customers should call Opel Customer Assistance.Telephone: ‪[phone]Email: [e-mail], or visit: http://www.opel.ie/zafira-customer-advice.html

Opel Zafira owners may not be facing a recall and could have to pay to have their car fixed, after one caught fire in Cork yesterday.

In a statement released today Opel have said "Opel Zafira B model customers with manual air conditioning or no air conditioning from 2005-2014 can go to their Opel dealership for a free inspection."

"If any of the parts in the heating and ventilation system need replacing, Opel will do so at no cost to the customer."

The company said it had complaints of issues with the heating and ventilation system of some of its Zafira B models, which were launched in 2005.

It is now investigating what caused the fire yesterday.

In yesterday's incident and as reported in today's

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Reports in Britain suggest there have been up to 130 similar incidents affecting the Vauxhall equivalent and a recall there is also being considered.

A Facebook page, entitled ‘Vauxhall zafira car fires’, has been set up by concerned owners in Britain. By yesterday evening, it had 10,580 members.

“While the number of incidents is very low in proportion to the number of vehicles on the road, we take this issue very seriously and will take further action,” the company said.

The manufacturer also said it will be working with local authorities in Cork to identify the cause of the “thermal incident” reported in the Zafira in Passage West, as part of its investigation.

“The safety of our customers is the number one priority,” it said.

“Our investigations to date have found that a number of incidents have occurred due to previous repairs being performed improperly or using certain non-genuine parts.”

If it is established that the use of non-Opel parts led to the incidents, Opel may not be obliged to issue a recall notice.

Opel said that any Zafira owners concerned about driving their car because of the incidents, or who notice any unusual characteristics with the heating and ventilation system, such as a squeaking noise from the dashboard, should contact their Opel dealer and arrange for the vehicle to be inspected.

“This will be done at no cost,” it said. “Opel will consider further actions as appropriate. For further information customers should call Opel Customer Assistance on 01 5339818.”