Vauxhall Astra Recall R/1999/098: Remote Possibility Of Brake Fluid Contamination, Who Is Affected And What To Do

Urgent

How serious

17 Apr 2000

Launched

636,066

vehicles in the UK

00-R-08

Manufacturer’s campaign code

Vauxhall recalled Astra vehicles built between 1 August 1991 and 28 February 1999. Vauxhall in conjunction with DETR and VI have agreed to conduct a Customer Care Initiative whereby drivers of old style Astra F models will be advised that brake fluid is a service item due to its' hygroscopic (water absorbing) tendency. The recall notice describes the fix as: customers will be offered a free inspection and a special promotion brake fluid change should the fluid be found to be outside the manufacturers specified limits. A minor modification to the vehicle bonnet will also be carried out to eliminate the remote possibility of water entering the engine compartment along the bulkhead and contaminating the brake fluid. It should be noted that this Customer Care Initiative is being recorded under the Code of Practice. You won't usually pay for it.¹

What’s Wrong

Vauxhall in conjunction with DETR and VI have agreed to conduct a Customer Care Initiative whereby drivers of old style Astra F models will be advised that brake fluid is a service item due to its' hygroscopic (water absorbing) tendency.

DVSA's Original Wording

Concern: REMOTE POSSIBILITY OF BRAKE FLUID CONTAMINATION Defect: Vauxhall in conjunction with DETR and VI have agreed to conduct a Customer Care Initiative whereby drivers of old style Astra F models will be advised that brake fluid is a service item due to its' hygroscopic (water absorbing) tendency. Remedy: Customers will be offered a free inspection and a special promotion brake fluid change should the fluid be found to be outside the manufacturers specified limits. A minor modification to the vehicle bonnet will also be carried out to eliminate the remote possibility of water entering the engine compartment along the bulkhead and contaminating the brake fluid. It should be noted that this Customer Care Initiative is being recorded under the Code of Practice.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

The Risk

The recall notice describes the concern as: remote possibility of brake fluid contamination.

The Fix

The recall notice describes the fix as: customers will be offered a free inspection and a special promotion brake fluid change should the fluid be found to be outside the manufacturers specified limits. A minor modification to the vehicle bonnet will also be carried out to eliminate the remote possibility of water entering the engine compartment along the bulkhead and contaminating the brake fluid. It should be noted that this Customer Care Initiative is being recorded under the Code of Practice.

Are You Affected?

Astra built between 1 August 1991 and 28 February 1999 may be included. Vauxhall estimates 636,066 vehicles in the UK. Enter your registration to check, then confirm by VIN with Vauxhall, because not every car in the date range may be included.

What To Do Now

1. Check your car by registration above, then by VIN with Vauxhall.
2. Book with any franchised Vauxhall dealer, quoting the campaign code 00-R-08 or the DVSA reference R/1999/098. See how to get a Vauxhall recall fixed.
3. Follow the letter's instructions until the repair is done. See can you drive a car with a recall?.

Related Recalls

This is one of 300 Vauxhall recalls in DVSA’s data. The Vauxhall recall launched before it was R/2000/002 on 31 Jan 2000, for possibility of loss of brake servo assistance. The one launched after it was R/2000/013 on 25 Apr 2000, for possibility of fuel leakage. You can also see every Vauxhall recall, all recalls launched in 2000 and brake recalls across every make.

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Source: DVSA recall R/1999/098, launched 17 April 2000. Data updated 15 October 2026. How we grade urgency.