News: Vauxhall recalls 3,000 Adam, Corsa and Corsavans over faulty steering

VAUXHALL IS recalling a total of 3,000 Adam, Corsa and Corsavan models registered since May 2014 after it identified a fault that could lead to a total loss of steering control. The company is telling owners of affected cars that they must not be driven under any circumstances.

The problem concerns the vehicles’ lower steering column joint. It could break without warning, rendering the steering inactive. To date, there have been no instances of the part failing but Vauxhall says the problem is potentially so serious that it launched a recall as soon as the problem was confirmed.

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The car maker says that it now has sufficient stocks of replacement parts to repair all 3,000 cars, and that these are ready to be distributed to its dealers for fitment.  The repair takes approximately 30 minutes. Vauxhall said a courtesy car will be provided to customers if required.

To find out if their Adam, Corsa or Corsavan, registered since May 2014, is affected, owners should call Vauxhall’s customer assistance centre on 0800 026 0034 between 09.00 and 19.00hrs Monday to Friday (until 17.00 hours at weekends). Alternatively, they can visit www.vauxhall.co.uk/recall.html which includes a step-by-step guide to identifying the affected part and relevant serial number.

The AA, which provides breakdown cover as part of Vauxhall’s three-year new car warranty, is supporting Vauxhall by providing an additional point of contact. Concerned owners can call the organisation on 0800 553388 between 07.00 and midnight, seven days a week.

Vauxhall identified the fault, which has been traced to two production plants, a week ago but a spokesman said it had to confirm the problem affected multiple numbers of vehicles, and then create a dedicated customer enquiry service before it could go public.

The spokesman said that once the problem was confirmed, Mary Barra, the recently appointed CEO  of parent company General Motors, ordered the recall to be launched immediately.

“General Motors has a massive focus on recalls,” he said.

This latest recall is one of at least 45 that General Motors has issued this year, affecting nearly 28m cars worldwide.