Vauxhall Insignia
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Vauxhall Insignia 2009 Only 3886 miles
I have been driving for 47 years and driven most types of cars. I have always treated my vehicles with respect. Broke down on the road and the RAC guy informed me that the clutch had burnt out. Never have I burnt out a clutch. At 3886 miles this seems absurd. Towed to the local Vauxhall Dealership who stated that, unless a mechanical fault can be proven, the repair will be my responsibility. Is this reasonable? Has anyone else had a similar problem? Is it possible that the clutch assembly was frozen during the recent cold spell? Any advice would be really appreciated. Incidentally, I thought that, in the event of clutch failure, it was difficult to change gears. In this case I seem to be able to change through the gears easily.
I have been driving for 47 years and driven most types of cars. I have always treated my vehicles with respect. Broke down on the road and the RAC guy informed me that the clutch had burnt out. Never have I burnt out a clutch. At 3886 miles this seems absurd. Towed to the local Vauxhall Dealership who stated that, unless a mechanical fault can be proven, the repair will be my responsibility. Is this reasonable? Has anyone else had a similar problem? Is it possible that the clutch assembly was frozen during the recent cold spell? Any advice would be really appreciated. Incidentally, I thought that, in the event of clutch failure, it was difficult to change gears. In this case I seem to be able to change through the gears easily.
Clutch in under 4000 miles? I would expect, even in the most extreme situations, that a clutch will last for 20,000 miles. I think it fair to go back to VX and say that its not functioned anywhere near as you would expect and that they should fix it under warranty.... even though its a 'consumable'. So no, its not acceptible and I think they should be fixing this without a quibble.
noel123 said:
Vauxhall Insignia 2009 Only 3886 miles
I have been driving for 47 years and driven most types of cars. I have always treated my vehicles with respect. Broke down on the road and the RAC guy informed me that the clutch had burnt out. Never have I burnt out a clutch. At 3886 miles this seems absurd. Towed to the local Vauxhall Dealership who stated that, unless a mechanical fault can be proven, the repair will be my responsibility. Is this reasonable? Has anyone else had a similar problem? Is it possible that the clutch assembly was frozen during the recent cold spell? Any advice would be really appreciated. Incidentally, I thought that, in the event of clutch failure, it was difficult to change gears. In this case I seem to be able to change through the gears easily.
How long have your owned the car? Is it still under warranty?I have been driving for 47 years and driven most types of cars. I have always treated my vehicles with respect. Broke down on the road and the RAC guy informed me that the clutch had burnt out. Never have I burnt out a clutch. At 3886 miles this seems absurd. Towed to the local Vauxhall Dealership who stated that, unless a mechanical fault can be proven, the repair will be my responsibility. Is this reasonable? Has anyone else had a similar problem? Is it possible that the clutch assembly was frozen during the recent cold spell? Any advice would be really appreciated. Incidentally, I thought that, in the event of clutch failure, it was difficult to change gears. In this case I seem to be able to change through the gears easily.
doogz said:
I told him to grab a car off the forecourt and show, and if the clutch was gubbed after this 100m, i'd pay for both repairs.
Got a new clutch for free. Should add, wasn't even my car, but the girl was nervous about going on her own.
You're pretty lucky that he didn't just sit with the car on a hill, on the clutch, moving nowhere, and point out that the clutch can be killed in 0m.Got a new clutch for free. Should add, wasn't even my car, but the girl was nervous about going on her own.
C
noel123 said:
Vauxhall Insignia 2009 Only 3886 miles
I have been driving for 47 years and driven most types of cars. I have always treated my vehicles with respect. Broke down on the road and the RAC guy informed me that the clutch had burnt out. Never have I burnt out a clutch. At 3886 miles this seems absurd. Towed to the local Vauxhall Dealership who stated that, unless a mechanical fault can be proven, the repair will be my responsibility. Is this reasonable? Has anyone else had a similar problem? Is it possible that the clutch assembly was frozen during the recent cold spell? Any advice would be really appreciated. Incidentally, I thought that, in the event of clutch failure, it was difficult to change gears. In this case I seem to be able to change through the gears easily.
Oh dear, this echo's my experience of my Vectra I bought in 2007, loads of issues that were all my fault like broken driveshafts, etc!I have been driving for 47 years and driven most types of cars. I have always treated my vehicles with respect. Broke down on the road and the RAC guy informed me that the clutch had burnt out. Never have I burnt out a clutch. At 3886 miles this seems absurd. Towed to the local Vauxhall Dealership who stated that, unless a mechanical fault can be proven, the repair will be my responsibility. Is this reasonable? Has anyone else had a similar problem? Is it possible that the clutch assembly was frozen during the recent cold spell? Any advice would be really appreciated. Incidentally, I thought that, in the event of clutch failure, it was difficult to change gears. In this case I seem to be able to change through the gears easily.
Go back, ask for service manager, ask him to explain just how it would be possible to burn a clutch out in under 4000 miles!
When they fix it, check they actually bother to fasten the bolts, I kept having to go back to get them to tighten up subframe and suspension bolts!
(I'm assuming your not riding the clutch against the automatic handbrake by the way!!!)
you should still be able to change through the gears when stationary too!
if you select a gear and rev does the speedo read? if so it could be a driveshaft/transmission failure....
I have seen a clutch burnt out in less than a 1000 miles by a lady driver of an A3, and one less than 100 miles on a Fiesta. In both cases, going for a drive with the customer proved that they were at fault (it was genuinely a frightening experience).
It is perfectly plausible that this is a mechanical fault, but unless something is physically broken when the gearbox is removed they will be asking for you to pay. They won't be able to tell if there is lack of adhesion from the clutch material or weak springs. If you are confident that this is a fault of the car, get in touch with the service manager of the dealer. Offer to take him for a drive and show him you are capable of using a clutch in a similar car. He can then speak to Vauxhall customer services and a warranty claim can be made.
One thing that puzzles me though is, even if it is a mechanical fault - how could you drive a car with a slipping clutch to the point of complete failure?
It is perfectly plausible that this is a mechanical fault, but unless something is physically broken when the gearbox is removed they will be asking for you to pay. They won't be able to tell if there is lack of adhesion from the clutch material or weak springs. If you are confident that this is a fault of the car, get in touch with the service manager of the dealer. Offer to take him for a drive and show him you are capable of using a clutch in a similar car. He can then speak to Vauxhall customer services and a warranty claim can be made.
One thing that puzzles me though is, even if it is a mechanical fault - how could you drive a car with a slipping clutch to the point of complete failure?
mxspyder said:
One thing that puzzles me though is, even if it is a mechanical fault - how could you drive a car with a slipping clutch to the point of complete failure?
Your Assuming it was slipping, could have jammed open, sheared the plate etc etc.Given my experience of 4 drive shafts in 6 months (eventually proved to be a gearbox fault) I wouldn't rule out transmission failure!
Petrolhead_Rich said:
mxspyder said:
One thing that puzzles me though is, even if it is a mechanical fault - how could you drive a car with a slipping clutch to the point of complete failure?
Your Assuming it was slipping, could have jammed open, sheared the plate etc etc.Given my experience of 4 drive shafts in 6 months (eventually proved to be a gearbox fault) I wouldn't rule out transmission failure!
mxspyder said:
Petrolhead_Rich said:
mxspyder said:
One thing that puzzles me though is, even if it is a mechanical fault - how could you drive a car with a slipping clutch to the point of complete failure?
Your Assuming it was slipping, could have jammed open, sheared the plate etc etc.Given my experience of 4 drive shafts in 6 months (eventually proved to be a gearbox fault) I wouldn't rule out transmission failure!
Minor point it failed while driving, not setting off and that I was running the engine in VX like to blame the end user and not replace their shoddy weak flimsy mechanical parts that fail!
They even suggested I was turning the volume up via the steering wheel when I reported an issue with the auto-volume going to full volume and staying there....
This car was first registered July 30 2009. I took delivery in March 2010 with just delivery mileage of around 50 miles. Have contacted VX Customer Care. Rather pointless exercise as they merely repeat the wear and tear arguement. The dealer will remove the gearbox to-morrow to establish any mechanical fault. I have a strong feeling that I will end up very much the loser. I strongly suggest that buyers should think twice where this company is concerned. I have tried to speak witjh the VX area rep but cannot get his number.
I had 5 Vauxhalls. The last one developed a severe liking to 5W30 with 16k on the clock. It spent 4 months in the garage during the 8 months of ownership. Sold. Previous Vx had various issues, some poorly repaired under warranty, others ignored or remaining unfixed. Again, car sold after 8 months.
Hi
found this posting today - my 2009 Insignia is currently in the garage (has been for over 3 weeks now !!)
Awaiting a clutch, flywheel and slave cylinder - its only done 12,000 miles.
As with original poster - I have driven many cars and never burnt out a clutch but according to the garage its clearly my fault due to riding the clutch blah blah !!
They are currently refusing to repair the car under warranty and Vauxhall Customer Services are less than helpful obviously backing their dealer !!
The more I read on the web the more I think there is a fault with insignia's that Vauxhall won't acknowledge
Thanks
found this posting today - my 2009 Insignia is currently in the garage (has been for over 3 weeks now !!)
Awaiting a clutch, flywheel and slave cylinder - its only done 12,000 miles.
As with original poster - I have driven many cars and never burnt out a clutch but according to the garage its clearly my fault due to riding the clutch blah blah !!
They are currently refusing to repair the car under warranty and Vauxhall Customer Services are less than helpful obviously backing their dealer !!
The more I read on the web the more I think there is a fault with insignia's that Vauxhall won't acknowledge
Thanks
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