[gill1207]

I bought a brand new Corsa 3 months ago and it has developed clutch judder. The garage has been in discussion with Vauxhall who have said it is due to driver abuse, therefore it is not under warranty. they have however agreed to replace it this time. I have been told though, that if it happens again, it will cost around £900 to replace.
The car has 2500 miles on the clock. I have been driving for 24 years and have never had a problem with a clutch before. Can anyone let me know whether it is reasonable for a clutch to wear out after only 2500 miles - it doesn't seem so to me.
Has anyone else had this problem with a Corsa? Thank you.

[Hometune]

More nonsense from a manufacturer who doesn't want to admit to building their new model with poor quality parts.

Clutch judder is caused by;

1. oil or contamination of the friction plates
or
2. misalignment of the gearbox input shaft
or
3. broken or damaged springs in the clutch plate
or
4. worn, broken or damaged springs in the pressure plate
or
5. misaligned, worn or damaged release bearing
or
6. broken or damaged engine or gearbox mountings.

Unless you do a Lewis Hamilton at every set of lights or hold the car on hills at traffic lights and junctions by use of the clutch alone or you ride the clutch by resting your left foot on it as you drive along or start off in 3rd or 4th gear every time, I cannot see how Vauxhall can possibly justify their response.
And the quoted cost is obscene and designed to put you off complaining.
The garage is probably a member of the Good Garage Scheme so you can use their system to act as mediators and help you.

[gill1207]

Thank you

Thank you for your comments - they are very helpful.

[davmat]

Corsa Clutch

I have a 1.2 corsa that I bought in May last year, after 9 months my car started to make a burning smell, after taking it back to vauxhaull they informed me that it was actually driver error and the clutch had burnt out. This is a car that I bought new & has only 11,000 miles on the clock. They wanted £1,000 to change the clutch, and they said they wouldn't cover the costs under the 'warrenty' because they considered the clutch to be ware and tare. I am still in disputes with them. In the end I had to get a 3rd party to do the work with official parts.... but they only came in at £350... the bigger joke is the vauxaull garage wanted to charge me £250 to put the car back together with it's faulty parts that they took apart! Seems to me GM have produced a substandard car and are making lots out of the repairs.

I'm still seeking compensation, but GM wont budge and give me the same story "it's ware and tare" I don't think legally the car is fit for purpose... Any advice? I have been driving for 8 years and never had a single problem with a car.

[Hometune]

Assuming you drive properly then 11,000 miles is ridiculous. I think you have one or two options.
1. Get an engineer's report (will cost though) and send a copy to Vauxhall with a claim for compensation if you still have the 'worn' parts.
2. Involve Trading Standards.
3. Find out which scheme the dealer is in, like the Good Garage scheme for example, and have them resolve it for you.
4. Contact Watchdog in case there are others like yourself, by using their online form - quick and easy.

Before stating categorically that it is 'wear and tear' the dealer should have had a technician sit in the car while you drove it for a couple of miles to see that you did not slip the clutch or ride it.
All this may be academic anyway as General Motors which owns Opel and Vauxhall is borrowing European money to separate Vauxhall from Opel. You may have seen just how badly Vauxhall are doing in this country. The auditors for G.M. in America have already stated that it may not be worthwhile the American government lending them any cash. Saab, another G.M. company is in an even worse position, now protected from administration by the Swedish government.
Judging by the number of complaints and queries about faults on their cars, perhaps is now a good time for them to close. For good.

[Andanotherthing]

Corsa clutch judder

gill1207 -

I have an 05 plate corsa that has always had a clutch judder when cold....had a new clutch fitted in september 07 at my request because it had to go to Vauxhall for a clutch master cylinder replacement and it seemed sensible to get it done at the time. They seemed to agree that it was anyway.

Clutch judder reappeared a couple of months later. Reading about it on the web today it is a known problem and was apparently fixed BEFORE I TOOK MINE IN. Now, I don't know about the new style corsas but I would certainly look into this issue....good luck.

PS...the steering rack has gone too and have been quoted £560.00 for a new one. I've not heard of a steering rack go in a car that has done 46000 careful miles and is only 4 years old. Am I expecting too much from my car to think that I shouldn't be getting problems like this yet?

[RoverV6]

In 1981 I bought a Vauxhall Viva GLS and in 1982 a Chevette both had this problem along with numerous other faults. I changed makes back to what I knew. I think that this is the tip of the iceberg with Corsa clutches and I bet that BBC Watchdog will be inundated with the problem. I can't wait for the next series to see if I am right.

[roadhog]

It has been a known issue in the Corsas and Astras in the last 2 years, however the last 2 Astras that I have had in the last 6 months have been judder free. Rubbish friction plates is my opinion. One early Astra was virtually undriveable at 11k miles.

PS...the steering rack has gone too and have been quoted £560.00 for a new one. I've not heard of a steering rack go in a car that has done 46000 careful miles and is only 4 years old. Am I expecting too much from my car to think that I shouldn't be getting problems like this yet?

This is a known issue with cars used for Learner Driving that only have the ordinary rack, they do fail quite early.
The uprated racks at £1000 a pop did not suffer from this problem.

[kizmet]

re corsa clutch judder

Originally Posted by gill1207

I bought a brand new Corsa 3 months ago and it has developed clutch judder. The garage has been in discussion with Vauxhall who have said it is due to driver abuse, therefore it is not under warranty. they have however agreed to replace it this time. I have been told though, that if it happens again, it will cost around £900 to replace.
The car has 2500 miles on the clock. I have been driving for 24 years and have never had a problem with a clutch before. Can anyone let me know whether it is reasonable for a clutch to wear out after only 2500 miles - it doesn't seem so to me.
Has anyone else had this problem with a Corsa? Thank you.

hi there,i too have a new corsa of 3 months and im experiencing the same problem.its due to go in wed next week.its done 4300 miles and im appalled at the lack of customer care from my local garage.they told me if they strip it down and its down to driver abuse i will have to pay!! what part of the country do you live?

[kizmet]

corsa 58 plate judder

Can anyone give me some advice what to do? My new corsa of 3 months with 4500 miles on the clock has a terrible clutch judder in first gear and its booked in tomw to be looked at.the garage say if they strip the clutch down and its caused by "driver abuse" i will have to pay and it will not be under warrenty.they also said i would have to pay an additional £250 should i not want the vehicle fixed.i dont know what to do? Ive alway had corsas and ive never had any problems like this and i certainly havent abused it.i just dont know what to say if come tomw they tell me its my fault.has anyone any suggestions as i feel i shouldnt be handing over any money but at the same tme i need my car.i feel they have me over a barrel.help!!

[smudger]

First of all, how can they "prove" its driver abuse??
If the car is still under warranty, it should be looked at and repaired free of charge. Contact the CAB and check up on your "consumer rights" as I think they are trying it on here:( Good luck;)
Cheers, Smudger.

[kizmet]

Smudger

Thanks for your message smudger,problem is should i pay them if need be then try to get advice after being as i need the car or refuse to pay in which case they probably wont give me the car back? Im in a sticky situation plus they may ask me to sign something to say i agree to them stripping the clutch etc etc.do you know what i mean?

[smudger]

First thing is, contact CAB, then if you end up without a car for any reason, you could Hire one yourself, and hope to claim the cost back from them if you do win the case against them.
Cant you borrow a car from a mate or family, as it does look like they are holding you to ransom, knowing that you Need your car.
Look on line or Yellow Pages, for free legal advice, or to check your consumer rights, try this link.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Governme...itizens_Rights

Cheers, Smudger.

[kizmet]

Thanks smudger.i"ll try the cab in the morning.fingers crossed.what a pain all of it!

[kizmet]

Well i took my car to the garage this morn re the clutch judder.they stripped it and found the whole thing needed to be replaced! They wre a bit vague as to what the exact problem was but i will find out more tomw.they said it is covered under the warrenty and made no bones about it.thank god!! I am so relieved as i thought i was going to have a right battle on my hands! Watch this space for an update

[kizmet]

corsa 58 plate judder

Ok heres an update guys.they stripped the clutch down and told me it wasnt caused by driver abuse (how decent of them) and its covered under warrenty.they told me the clutch had worn unevenly! In three months? So they apparently replaced "the whole clutch". 3 days later i collected the car and guess what? The judder is there still but only worse and and not only in first gear but also reverse!! I was livid after losing 3 days work with no car.i took it back today to be told it hadnt had a complete new clutch at all but only the clutch plates were changed (still no paperwork available for me to see) now they want it back in another 3 days to strip it down again!! They told me they have had problems with clutch judder on the new shape corsa and its trial and error to sort it out! Hmmm

[kizmet]

corsa 58 plate clutch judder

Ok heres an update guys.they stripped the clutch down and told me it wasnt caused by driver abuse (how decent of them) and its covered under warrenty.they told me the clutch had worn unevenly! In three months? So they apparently replaced "the whole clutch". 3 days later i collected the car and guess what? The judder is there still but only worse and and not only in first gear but also reverse!! I was livid after losing 3 days work with no car.i took it back today to be told it hadnt had a complete new clutch at all but only the clutch plates were changed (still no paperwork available for me to see) now they want it back in another 3 days to strip it down again!! They told me they have had problems with clutch judder on the new shape corsa and its trial and error to sort it out! Hmmm

[Rolebama]

I think they are trying to do a repair on the cheap. Tell them you want the car back fully repaired and working, or you will hire a car and charge them. With the amount of work to change a clutch component, it would be better if they just fit a new clutch complete, and have done with it.

[kizmet]

Hi rolebama,thanks for your advice.i did manage to get them to arrange a hire car for me and the cars going back in next week.are you a mechanic and where in middx are you? Im also middx

[Hometune]

Rolebama is right. The problem is that in order for the garage to do this job under warranty they have to get authorisation from the manufacturer or they won't get paid for the labour. It is the manufacturer who dictates which parts are replaced.
In your case they should have authorised a 3 part assembly which would have eliminated the problem.
The other consideration is that Vauxhall, being part of Opel Europe, is being sold off to keep parent company General Motors afloat. That tells me there is no money for warranty without a real fight. You need to hope that Magna(new buyers) will keep Vauxhall going or you won't have any warranty. :eek:

[kizmet]

Thanks hometune.i see what you mean.i"ll keep you posted what happens next week! I am really concerned as i use the car for my business (i run my own driving school) what made me cross was they blatently lied about changing the whole thing!! How bad is that for an established company? what causes clutch judder?

[kizmet]

corsa clutch judder

Well good news! They stripped my clutch down for a second time and vauxhalls authorised a complete new clutch this time.it still took 3 days though.one to strip it.two to order the parts and three to fit it.anyway the car seems to be running lovely at the present time!! Lol.i did use a courtesy car while mine was being repaired.an 09 corsa,and guess what? Yep you guessed it,it had a clutch judder in 1st gear.terrible when doing hill starts!
Ol and my glove box has fallen apart so the car has to go back again next week!

[wagolynn]

Do these cars have GMs variable inertia flywheel on them?

[kizmet]

corsa clutch judder

Um im not really sure.im female so not that clued up on cars!! Lol.sorry.why do you ask?

[DavePass]

Hi we have a 58 plate 1.2 Corsa and like you the clutch developed a bad judder after 2500 miles it has now done under 13000 miles and has just had its fourth clutch repair. I know the mechanics and salesman at our garage and they say it is a fault found on several corsa's. So If Vauxhall are saying it is a driver fault, then they are wrong to do so!!! We have owned Vauxhalls since 1973, but this will be the last one. They do not seem interested in customer care, so why buy there cars?

[smudger]

Welcome to the site DavePass, it seems that Vauxhall are not the only ones guilty of that, there have been a few other such complaints posted in here in the past.;)

[Susan64]

Corsa 09 Clutch Judder

I loved this corsa 5 door, brought new in March 09, small big car, ie ideal for town, brilliant on motorway. After 15000 miles clutch had to be replaced, faulty, garage was brilliant, could not have asked for better service, same when drive shaft boot split and pipe spilt open on emission control thingy. At 26000 miles funny noise from engine, nice man from RAC found one engine bolt out on road, other lose. At 30000 miles clutch judders when cold. We are at the point of paying for garage to take clutch out to see if it is another faulty clutch???? They only guarantee clutch for 18000 miles. My point is the first clutch went wrong at 15000 miles, second clutch has done the same, surely its not unrealisable to get more than 15000 from a modern clutch:mad:? This is our 6th new car and the nicest looking, comfort, etc, but the worst for reliability :mad:, the only thing I will say is that the garage have been very good and I am hoping they continue to be:).

[smudger]

Welcome to the site Susan64, it does sound a bit dodgy having to replace the clutch so often?

Not wanting to upset anyone here...but have they had excessive wear put on them....bad driving, riding the clutch for example:confused:

Now, I did say, not wanting to upset anyone;):D

[Susan64]

I have never had any clutch problems before. :D
Anyway the garage already admitted that the first one was faulty, something to do with materials used or not being aloud to use anymore.:(
What causes a clutch to judder when cold? its not slipping.
On the positive side with this car i am learning alot about how the engine works:D

[smudger]

Quote.."pay $25 to be allowed to speed for a day.."

Must be something to do with being a Vauxhall owner.;):D