The Vauxhall Insignia is a great car for today’s world, because it’s comfortable, it’s cheap to run, and with our help, it will be cheap to repair.
And that’s what will make it even cheaper to run, because by fixing it yourself you get the double joy of avoiding hefty labour charges and you get the satisfaction of knowing that you’ve done the job yourself, and done it well.
So what are you likely to have to fix? Well, the Insignia does suffer the odd glitch or two; for example, there are reports of Vauxhall Insignia clutch problems. But we’ll take you through everything here, so you can identify any issue early on and get it sorted right away, before it becomes a major problem.
What recalls has the Vauxhall Insignia A been subject to?
The Vauxhall Insignia A has been recalled a few times over the years, so if you’re buying one, make sure all the recall work has been carried out.
Early cars were recalled because the airbag in the steering wheel might not deploy as intended. Then 1291 cars were recalled because the ant-trap mechanism in the electric window might not work as it should.
A tailgate that could drop suddenly due to a gas leak in a tailgate strut, caused 10,130 cars to be recalled. A number of examples were recalled for faulty passenger airbags, and an incorrect brake hose forced the recall of a small number of cars.
A faulty track rod end caused a recall of 537 cars towards the end of the model’s life.
What common problems does the Vauxhall Insignia Mk1 have?
The Vauxhall Insignia suffers a problem in which the malfunction indicator light flashes up, and it’s caused by exhaust sensors.
Some models can also suffer an oil leak from the area where the engine and gearbox meet.
A noisy steering rack in some models cannot be fixed, only replaced, while 1.8-litre petrol engines can suffer an oil leak from the cylinder head.
Faulty gearshift cables can cause problems, and tailgate locks can allow in water and then fail. And some models can suffer a noisy transmission.
Not only that, but older, high-mileage examples can suffer from noisy rear brakes; you’ll hear a harsh squeak every time you slow down.
Are the Vauxhall Insignia exhaust sensors fragile?
An engine warning light is usually just that – a warning. But it’s annoying when it flashes up every time you start the car.
This can happen in the Vauxhall Insignia A, and it’s caused by the exhaust gas temperature sensors being installed in the wrong order.
If you plug in a fault code reader, it will likely display the fault codes: P0421 and P2080.
You will then need to wait for the engine to cool down, and then swap around the two exhaust temperature sensors.
As a helpful guide, we’ve covered just such a procedure in the Haynes Insignia manual and Autofix, so you can approach the job full of confidence.
Is the Vauxhall Insignia Mk1 prone to oil leaks?
If you notice a puddle of oil beneath your Vauxhall Insignia, you need to get it fixed pronto because that puddle of oil might as well be a puddle of money.
Blame for the problem can be laid at the door of the flywheel/drive plate, which can have poorly threaded tapped holes for the flywheel bolts.
The only solution is to remove the flywheel, clean up the area thoroughly, then refit the flywheel using new bolts.
It’s the sort of job that will take you a few hours, but as long as you follow the step-by-step guide in your Haynes Insignia manual, you’ll be absolutely fine.
Does the Vauxhall Insignia A have steering rack problems?
If you notice that the steering rack on your Vauxhall Insignia Mk1 has developed a noise then there’s only one thing for it – you’ll need to replace the rack with an improved one from Vauxhall (part numbers 95516827, 95516825 or 95516826).
However, steering rack replacement is a procedure that we’ve covered in detail in the Haynes Insignia manual, so you can approach the task with confidence and the reassurance that we’re there every step of the way. As well as removal of the front bumper, this task also requires the removal of the front subframe, so it will make things much easier if you can place the car over a pit or on a lift.
Has your Vauxhall Insignia gearshift seized?
The have been reports of Vauxhall Insignia gearbox problems, because the gearshift can become inoperative. This problem manifests itself more when the ambient temperature is low, such as in late autumn or winter.
The cause of the sticky shift is not the gearbox, thankfully. It is down to poorly sealed gearshift cables that let in water over time. This water causes internal corrosion, and eventually the cables seize up.
Replacement of the faulty cables is the only solution, but not to worry because we’ve covered this procedure in the Haynes Insignia manual and Autofix. Just follow the step-by-step guide and you’ll soon be swapping cogs with just a flick of the wrist.
Why won't your Vauxhall Insignia tailgate stay open?
Owners have reported that the Vauxhall Insignia A can suffer a failure of the tailgate lock, meaning their cars can end up being unlocked.
The problem stems from faulty tailgate locks that can allow in water. This water causes corrosion of the lock components, and subsequent failure.
The good news is that replacing the lock is not a tricky job at all, and should take less than an hour of your day. So why not get yourself a new locking mechanism, then follow the procedure in the Haynes Insignia manual and Autofix? It’s simple.
Does the Vauxhall Insignia have gearbox problems?
Owners have reported that the Vauxhall Insignia can fall victim to a problem that causes a scraping noise from under the car when you’re doing between 1800 and 2800rpm. The gearshift can become sticky, too.
The problem concerns the synchromesh between third and fourth gears, and also between fifth and sixth gears.
The way forward entails removing the gearbox and taking it to an expert for repair. Then once it’s fixed, you’ll need to refit it yourself. However, removing and replacing it will save you hundreds if not thousands of pounds in labour costs.
So, just follow the steps in your Haynes Insignia manual and you’ll be good to go.
Are your Vauxhall Insignia rear brakes squeaking?
Squeaking brakes are going to be a considerable annoyance, because you’ll be assailed by the teeth-grating noise every time you touch the brake pedal. Unfortunately, this is a problem that can afflict older, higher-mileage Insignia models.
The issue is that the brakes becomes sticky and can start to bind, and the most effective solution is to replace the brake pads and discs, while cleaning everything else up.
This is a pretty straightforward procedure, however, and is covered fully in the Haynes Insignia manual and Autofix, so don’t put up with that squeaking for a minute more.