Sensor direction - ESP woes
We have had a problem with the steering column and ESP sensor of our 2008/58 Vauxhall Meriva 1.3CDTI. We bought the car brand new in February 2009. We first had this problem with the ESP light coming on for no apparent reason and the car went into the garage in June 2010.
Vauxhall repaired the fault as the car is still under warranty but gave us no reason for this to happen. Then 3 months later the power assisted steering went and the ESP light came on all the time again. I was in the car park at a supermarket and when I tried to leave I could not steer the car. This time Vauxhall stated that the whole steering column and sensor had to be replaced. The job was done but Vauxhall refused to give us any paperwork.
They said they had our details on their computer system. I use the motorway quite a lot and I am getting concerned as I think this is a serious safety issue. I am very concerned as to what will happen when our 3 year warranty runs out, as this can be quite expensive to replace.
Vauxhall repaired the fault as the car is still under warranty but gave us no reason for this to happen. Then 3 months later the power assisted steering went and the ESP light came on all the time again. I was in the car park at a supermarket and when I tried to leave I could not steer the car. This time Vauxhall stated that the whole steering column and sensor had to be replaced. The job was done but Vauxhall refused to give us any paperwork.
They said they had our details on their computer system. I use the motorway quite a lot and I am getting concerned as I think this is a serious safety issue. I am very concerned as to what will happen when our 3 year warranty runs out, as this can be quite expensive to replace.
Asked on 19 September 2010 by DP, via email
Answered by
Honest John
After I advised readers to get in touch with BBC Watchdog and complain about VOSA refusing to issue a Vehicle Safety recall, around 100 of them did and Watchdog ran this on 30th September 2010.
We have to wait and see what effect it will have. There is no such problem with the new Meriva. To put your mind at relative rest, failure of power steering on a motorway does not create the problem it does at lower speed because at speed steering effort lightens.
We have to wait and see what effect it will have. There is no such problem with the new Meriva. To put your mind at relative rest, failure of power steering on a motorway does not create the problem it does at lower speed because at speed steering effort lightens.
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