VW and Audi TDi's

Concern: The dual-mass flywheel is breaking-up and causing fires. VW Audi group are well aware, and have recalled some models, but not all that seem to be affected.
Vauxhall
Concern:

Corsa models are catching fire (mostly while parked) due to water ingress into the ABS connector. Now recalled.

Peugeot 406 HDi & Peugeot 307

Concern: We now know of about 20 fires involving 2002 model 406 HDi's fitted with air-conditioning (saloons and estates). These most often occur when parked - even overnight. So far, it only affects '02' and '52' registrations. The problem is associated with water getting into the engine cooling fan control module.

With the 307, we are interested in fuse-box fires and also fires associated with the power steering pump. There seems to be a corrolation between fitting an alarm system (even Peugeot's own) and the fuse box going up in flames. With the power steeering, the problem seems to be associated with water getting into the connector for the wiring going into the pump (mounted in the offside front wing).

Update 2006 - 307 starter motor, steering pump and ABS module fires still occurring. 406s now seem to be sorted.

Iveco
Concern: With the Tector: Fires starting in the cab behind the fascia panel close to the clutch pedal. Now the subject of a recall. Iveco seem to want to keep quiet about the nature of the problem, but we know what it is.

With the Eurostar the grid heater relay fires (mounted on the nearside chassis rail at rear of cab) occurring whilst parked.


2007 Update
Comcerm: Generally, salted roads and lots of rain have been causing electrical breakdown and fires in a wide range of vehicles, comonly due to ingress into the ABS connector.

 

VEHICLES: Since the Vehicle Inspectorate have now launched their own website, which includes recalls, we have stopped listing them. However, see our hotspots list which contains latest information on what is catching fire out there in the automotive world. If you have a problem with a vehicle and want advice on recalls or forensic examination to determine origin and cause, please do not hesitate to telephone, fax or email.

For recalls go to: www.vosa.gov.uk For further information on recalls and common problems with specific makes and models, we also recommend 'Honest John's' website: www.honestjohn.co.uk

One word of warning. It seems the VI only list recalls on their website relating to safety issues. How can a recall for risk of fire be anything other than a safety issue? Good question, but the recent problems with Peugeot 307 starter motor fires was not a safety recall, but categorised as a 'customer satisfaction campaign.' That these fires could only occur while the vehicle was being driven seems to us to be the basis of a safety issue. Come to that, any vehicle that is known to have a defect that could cause it to burst into flames - whether parked or driven - seems to be a good candidate for a safety issue. It's a mad world!