Vauxhall Zafira recall: More than 220,000 cars recalled after reports of dashboard fires

More than 130 owners of the Vauxhall Zafira B model have reported problems with the car's heating and ventilation system

One of the Zafira models that allegedly spontaneously caught fire

More than 220,000 Vauxhall Zafiras are being recalled after customers reported their cars spontaneously burst into flames.

More than 130 owners of the Vauxhall Zafira B model, launched in 2005, have reported problems with the car's heating and ventilation system to the manufacturer.

The Facebook group Vauxhall Zafira Car Fires has more than 5,000 members - with several claiming their vehicles had caught fire while there were children inside.

Pictures shared on the group showed a number of vehicles ablaze:

One picture of a Vauxhall Zafira which allegedly spontaneously caught fire (Suzy Figge, via Facebook)

The inside of another Zafira following a fire (Jason Williams)

Rory Harvey, Vauxhall's chairman and managing director, said the evidence so far has shown the fires could be down to improper repair of the blower motor resistor and its thermal fuse, which is designed to protect the blower motor system.

"In addition, it should be noted that if you are the first owner of your Zafira B and your heating and ventilation system if functioning well and your car has never been subject to any repair in this area, there should be no risk of a fire starting," he said.

Vauxhall says the potential issue only affects vehicles with manual or no air-conditioning built between 2005 and 2014 - which includes the Mk2 Zafira, also known as Zafira B, Autocar magazine reports.

The first generation and current Zafira Tourer are not affected; nor are Mk2 Zafiras with automatic climate control.

Letters will be sent out to owners of Vauxhall Zafira B models from 12 November asking them to visit a dealer to have their vehicle's heating and ventilation systems examined.

Additional reporting by Press Association