I have a 2009 panda 1.2 dynamic eco since new. 20,000 on clock and clutch has slipped twice recently. I don't ride the clutch.

Also had a few near misses when I've braked coming up to roundabouts/junctions and car has kept going and slid onto road. Just had a yearly service done a couple of months ago so shouldn't be brake pads. Could ABS be the problem?

After scouring the net historically the punto had a clutch problem a few years ago and I've read that fiat recalled some cars due to abs problem. I'm still under warranty.

Thanks for any advice.

Clutch problem is a really weird one - what were the conditions when it happened? It generally happens in, say, second or third gear when the revs and torque start to build up. Are there any oil-drip marks below the engine?

Brake problem another odd one - I'd suspect the brake servo - something like the vacuum pipe from the inlet manifold leaking.

Unlikely to be ABS in my opinion. Your dealer will be able to tell you if there are any recalls for your car. My old Panda (55 reg) had the ABS module recall but I don't think it affects 2009 cars.

When your brakes didn't work, what did the pedal feel like? Did it sink to the floor or was it hard as hell? Presumably you would have been pressing very hard on it soon after the car didn't slow down as expected!

A hard pedal would tend to indicate servo problems whereas a soft pedal would tend to indicate a hydraulic problem. The pads should still be fine at 20K unless you drive very hard and you would start to hear grinding/grating noises if they were worn out so its very unlikely to be them.

Check if the garage who serviced the car changed the brake fluid (I think the recommended interval is 2 years). If they didn't do the procedure correctly they could have introduced some air into the system or even overpressurised a seal in the master cylinder.

Whatever you do, get the car to a garage pronto. I don't want one of my children wedged under the front of it when this problem next happens (which it almost certainly will)

As for the clutch problem I have no idea. Both my current 10 reg Panda and my old 55 reg Panda have/had a separate hydraulic fluid reservoir for the clutch and the brakes but I wonder if some models share the same reservoir (which is common on many other cars). It might explain why you are having clutch slip problems and brake problems at the same time.

Hope this helps.

Thanks guys,

the braking problem started just after I got the car serviced and it only happens when I'm going down a hill. I put my foot hard onto the brake when I realise it isn't stopping and i've only just missed the back of one car cos it moved off and luckily no traffice were passing the junction where I slid over the line. the clutch problem happens when i start up the car and try to go from 1st to 2nd gear, it seems to go into gear but doesn't accelerate the way it should.

I'll call the dealer but don't have £400-odd for a new clutch if that's what they tell me and it's not covered by warranty. Already had to fork out for 3 new tyres after 1st service and only 10,000 miles. So far, Panda isn't working out as economical as I had hoped. I'll let you know how I get on though, maybe I'm worrying needlessly.

Jen

I realise you said the car's an "eco" model - I can't remember what all these names signify, does that mean it's a petrol engine, which I assumed in my previous answer? (If it's a diesel there's a vacuum pump to feed the brake servo.) There should be no lack of servo assistance when going downhill as you'll probably be on the over-run and inlet manifold vacuum should be more than adequate. However, from what you've described, I'd be almost certain that it's a servo issue - IF YOU CAN DO SO SAFELY, stop the car near the bottom of a deserted hill, handbrake on, turn off the engine, switch on the ignition without starting the engine - this is important as you've locked the steering otherwise - press the brake pedal a few times and then release the handbrake, when you're doing a few mph try to stop with the footbrake - do the brakes do what you described - have to push like hell to achieve any deceleration but the pedal feels firm? If so, the brake servo is not working properly - given the safety issues and fact that it's not really a wearing component, and the miles you've done - I can't believe that this wouldn't be a warranty issue.

Did you notice any sign of oil leaks under the car? The clutch problem could be the withdrawal mechanism binding in some way but problems of that sort usually stop the clutch from freeing fully, rather than causing it to slip. If there's a faulty component, again I reckon you stand a good chance of a full warranty claim - I had the clutch replaced on my 100HP under warranty after one year because it wasn't freeing properly, due to an out-of-true clutch plate that caused the gears to graunch frequently, especially when selecting first or reverse at a standstill. I had to take the car back several times to show the dealer (not the one I bought the car from) the problem but they eventually agreed it was a warranty issue.

Good luck.

Thanks Babbo-Umbro,

the Eco is a petrol engine (supposed to be more economical). You've got me thinking of where I can find a safe hill, I'll give it a try as I'd like to know for sure that it isn't just my driving (unlikely as it's never happened in all the years I've been driving).

There're no oil leaks under the car, it's garaged at night so i'd see if there was. I'm glad to hear you got your clutch replaced under warranty. I'm going to see if it happens again before taking to garage. (It's also not the place I bought it from, the dealer was in doncaster.) Hopefully, all will be well but I will for sure let you know how I get on either way.

Cheers,

Jen

Hya
I'm curious why you were told you needed tyres so soon as front tyres should do 20,000 miles easily and rears normally perish before wearing out, did the clutch slip and braking problems start after your new tyres were fitted.
I know this sounds a bit far fetched but could the slipping clutch be wheel spin and the poor braking be the wheels locking up do to poor quality tyres or over inflated tyres,as I said unlikely but worth checking.
Hope you get it sorted soon.