Holden should recall their recent Vectra model because the handbrake may fail without warning, says the car buyer’s Dog & Lemon Guide.
Dog & Lemon Guide editor Clive Matthew-Wilson said today:
“There is clear evidence of a serious problem with these cars and Holden needs to take action now, before someone is killed or injured.”
There have been large numbers of overseas reports of Vectra owners parking their cars securely on a slope, only to have the vehicle roll away a short time later. In a typical example, Caroline Pearce from Northern Ireland wrote off a neighbour’s car when her eight-week-old Vectra rolled away.
“My driveway is at a steep 45˙ angle so I was careful to put on the handbrake. From the time of my setting the handbrake to the stage when it rolled down my drive was about 15 minutes,” she said.
“When I got to the car the handbrake was disengaged. There are lots of young children who live around my home and it was lucky that most were in their own houses having their tea. If this had happened any later there would surely have been terrible results. This thought has haunted me ever since.”
Matthew-Wilson said Holden had the opportunity to do the right thing and voluntarily recall the Vectra.
“We warned consumers about this problem in a review last year. Since then we have received a large number of overseas reports of 2003-06 Vectras suddenly releasing their handbrakes and rolling away. We don’t know what causes the problem but we suspect Holden does.”
“If Holden acts responsibly they will retain their credibility with the Australian motorist. If they deny the problem and fail to act they will probably do irreparable damage to Holden’s good name.”
Matthew-Wilson added:
“The Government has the power to force the recall of a vehicle with a known safety defect. If Holden does not take immediate action then the government must.”
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