(T) Fiat Stilo tracking problem

I have read quite a lot of reports on this forum relating to the tracking problem on Fiat Stilo's. The steering pulls to the left!
I have the same problem with my 1.9 JTD and have taken it back to the dealer 4 times now. They are very polite and helpfull so far but they just can't fix the problem.

Does anyone have specific details on how to reslove the problem or a statement from Fiat or anything that will help?

Thanks HD

I had the tracking problem on my Stilo. My dealer immediately knew what I was talking about when I phoned them about it. They put on two new front tyres and sorted 'the geometry'. Too soon to see if the new tyres are wearing OK though!

If one dealer knows there is no excuse for other dealers. Your dealer just needs to phone Fiat and ask them about it.....

On a closely related subject, is it normal for Stilo steering to have a very strong pull back to the centre? It's a bit like on old Citroen BX/CX if anybody has any experience with these.

Roja

2003 Silver 3-Door Abarth

Hi HD,
Yes, I also have a problem on my Stilo. The dealer knows about the problem and next Tuesday it will all be sorted (I hope) two new front tyres and a four-wheel tracking and geometry is going to be done.
My tyres on the back are feathered; my dealer informed me that I would have to write to Fiat to get them to ok two new ones. As anyone wrote and got a result from Fiat or am I Wasting my time?
Cliff Martin



All singing All dancing Abarth

Fiat paid 75% of the cost of my new front tyres. They would have paid more but I had done 13000 miles on the tyres....

BTW, I had to do nothing to get this. The dealer told me there was a problem and that Fiat would pay. The dealer then phoned Fiat and arranged everything. I just had to pay my 25% when I picked the car up after the dealer was finished.

You having to write to Fiat sounds like your dealer's lazy way out to me.

Roja

2003 Silver 3-Door Abarth

Hi Roja,
My car as only done 7000 miles and they are paying for the front set of tyres.
The way I look at it, is if Fiat sends out a car that is defective and as a result, the tyres are prematurely worn then they should pay. As far as my backset of tyres, they are also damaged so I have to write to customer relations to find out if they will provide me with two new back tyres. So that I will not be wasting my time, I was wondering if anyone, as had a favorable response to a complaint.
Cliff Martin



All singing All dancing Abarth

I wrote to Fiat about something else (lack of AA membership cover/card) and got a letter immediately saying they were sorry and would look into my problems. Haven't heard any more from them since but the AA now confirm that I am covered so they did do something.

Probably worth sending the letter and then bothering Fiat every day (0800 717000) until they respond one way or the other.

Roja

2003 Silver 3-Door Abarth

Hi

Did you get any signs of this problem? My Stilo sometimes skids at the rear of the car on sharpish corners, even when at lowish speeds - something my old Brava never did (same roads, same speeds).

Any ideas?

Stilo 1.6 Dynamic, 5dr, 2002, Crystal Green

All I noticed was a wobble through the steering wheel, especially when turning just of stright ahead (ie On a gently curved road). It was only the front wheels that were out of line so never had any problems with the back end.

Roja

2003 Silver 3-Door Abarth with graphite wheels and all the toys

As for the front wheels so for back wheels they didnt set the wheels correct

5D 80 Fiat Stilo Dynamic Metal. Loden Green

STILO 1.9JTD
2ND SET OF TYRE SCRUB AT FRONT AFTER GARAGE IS SUPPOSED TO
HAVE SORTED AFTER FIRTS SET.
ALSO WORNE BALL JOINT.

THE CAR IS 2 YEARS OLD AND ONLY DONE 17K MILES.

AS PER USUAL WE NEED TO WAIT ON THE DEALER NOW CONTACTING FIAT
TO SEE WHAT THEY SAY.
WE GOT FIRST JOB DONE AT A GARAGE WHO NO LONGER DO FIAT AND THIS IS A NEW ONE FOR THE SECOND TIME.

FIRST GARAGE SAID WE NEEDED TO PAY HALF THE COSTS (I SAID KEEP THE CAR I WOULD SPEAK TO FIAT)
THEY CALLED BACK 10 MINS LATER AND SAID THEY WOULD COVER THE COST.

ALL IN ALL TOTALLY PISSED OFF AND TRADING IT IN TODAY.

My dealer paid 100% on my front tyres. The cars done 15k but I had only purchased the car from them 3 months earlier. I basically told them they had either supplied me a car with illegal tyres and/or faulty steering. I dont think they had a choice in my case.

Read This First. http://www.fiatforum.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=5872

All Car should pull to the left slighty due to the nature of the road. All roads are cambered to let water run off into the gutters. If a car dosen't pull its usually due to slighty stiff componets on the steering system. If you car is bad then no it should not pull. The vehicle pull due to a number of reasons, 1, meant too, 2, Tyres pressures low or not equal, 3, different makes of tyre on each side, 4,tracking out 5,camber out, 6, caster out, 7, rear tracking out making the car crab

Stilo 1.6 5dr. First registered March 2002.

Now on third set of front tyres. So called "Fix" last year failed to work. All times the tyres are worn on very inner edge to the point of being illegal. Yet the rest of the tyre is hardly worn. Each time dealer has replaced the tyres free of charge.

Can't fault the dealer but they seem to be let down by Fiats technical dept. They have now set the tracking to "parrallel" and want me to monitor the wear every couple of thousand miles.

With this and the other warranty work that has been carried out have seriously considered trading in, but, have been told the trade market is flooded with Stilos at the moment. Fiats have apparently dumped ex Lease / Hire fleet on the market so the dealers don't want any more, consequently the trade in value is very poor!.

The tracking problem is obviously a design fault of some kind and a friend of mine has likened it to a similar problem with Ford Capris in the 70's where a wishbone bush had been made of too soft rubber and allowed the wheels to flex outwards under stress wearing the inner edges of the tyres. Sound feasible to anyone ?

When I complained to Fiats last year they denied there was a problem intend tackling them again as they obviously know there is.

When You adjust the tracking on stilo,s there are new setting which are in a bullitin within the dealer network. I Would not pay for more tyres as they should off done this the first time correct.I know of a few and all been o.k when the tracking set correctly. Goodluck, although value of car is low, i'd keep it, as it a good solid car, shame you have had this bad problem, this is what lets fiat down-- BIG TIME. FIATEXPERT

Well after getting the tracking fixed at the dealer 2 months ago they left me a little unhappy, the steering wheel is now pointing to the left at 5 - 10 deg instead of dead center.
Anyone else have thiers like this?

Scorg

02 Stilo Dynamic 1.6
Sky Blue
01 Brava 80SX (and capable of 47mpg :D )
Ink Black

June 6th 1944
You will not be forgotten