Alert, my 2014 fiat 500 has developed the well known crack in the dash and the inflated airbag problem. Fiat refuse to cover this totally as they said it is not a well known defect and unless enough consumers report it to the ACCC they are not obliged to cover it. It is a major fault under the ACL legislation in Australia and we do have strict consumer rights here. Fiat have already been slapped over the wrists by the ACCC prior and they are up to their old tricks. If you have a problem like this please post on here and also please fill in the consumer complaint form on the ACCC site. Numbers together will work!
General Aussie Fiat owners with crack in dashboard near airbag!
- Thread starter aussiemum
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General Aussie Fiat owners with crack in dashboard near airbag!
Hi,
you've posted in the Punto Evo section , and a non model specific,
Chances are you MAY get better responses from the 500 section,
but it's NOT a subject that has been covered lots in the main.
we, as a forum , tend to be UK / Europe centred so climatic conditions will vary a LOT from the ones your 500 have experienced.
I think you will need responses from Australasian members,
UFI being one of the most obvious choices
@44 sunsets .. possibly
Charlie - 17'C and grey..
This is known to occur on all makes and models of car where the car is left for prolonged periods in direct sun and hot weather, it’s unclear whether it would affect the function of the airbag, it wouldn’t prevent its deployment, it would be a question that the swelling of the components has or hasn’t done any damage to the airbag inflator, that would be the difficult thing from a consumer stand point to prove or disprove, even with hundreds of people reporting the same problem time and time again, Fiat only need to satisfy the powers that be, that the airbag function is unaffected and that it is purely a cosmetic problem, and therefore would still not be liable for anything.
Fiat, to be fair, do have a habit of doing anything and everything to dodge a waranty claim so ones a car is out of warranty you don’t stand a hope in hells chance of getting anything out of them.
Fiat, to be fair, do have a habit of doing anything and everything to dodge a waranty claim so ones a car is out of warranty you don’t stand a hope in hells chance of getting anything out of them.
I'm another Aussie 500 owner & unfortunately, the dash on my Dec 2013 pop split in exactly the same way a couple of weeks ago.
While yes I agree that the harsh Aussie sun causes dash cracking, its usually in cars older than 5 years old.
Again I agree that it is purely cosmetic and doesn't affect the airbag operation, it is unsightly and has also significantly reduced the resale value of the car, which I was hoping to move on now.
So we're not likely to get any satisfactory outcome by contacting Fiat, but it it has spoiled my Fiat owning experience forever.
While yes I agree that the harsh Aussie sun causes dash cracking, its usually in cars older than 5 years old.
Again I agree that it is purely cosmetic and doesn't affect the airbag operation, it is unsightly and has also significantly reduced the resale value of the car, which I was hoping to move on now.
So we're not likely to get any satisfactory outcome by contacting Fiat, but it it has spoiled my Fiat owning experience forever.
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What does a new dash moulding cost? I'm not trying to suggest a way out for Fiat, but it maybe less than the hit you would take on the car's resale value.
After that you'll have to use a sun cover and maybe rig up a solar panel that can drive the car's ventillation fan.
After that you'll have to use a sun cover and maybe rig up a solar panel that can drive the car's ventillation fan.
Jacqueline500
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This has just happened to me today. I bought the car in 2015 so just out of its warranty. Going to call my fiat dealer tomorrow and then take it further if they don’t repair.
I don’t fee comfortable knowing the the air bag has expanded and contracted to cause this bubble!
I don’t fee comfortable knowing the the air bag has expanded and contracted to cause this bubble!
Jacqueline500
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Update: I’ve taken it to the associated service centre and they have taken photos of my dashboard and sending it to fiat (they said others have had success in getting it fixed free). It will take a week for them to get back to me! ?
I am concerned because I am out of my warranty by 10months. But a car that isn’t even 4 years old and that has only done 24ks, I’ll be fighting for a free fix. This should not happen.
I am concerned because I am out of my warranty by 10months. But a car that isn’t even 4 years old and that has only done 24ks, I’ll be fighting for a free fix. This should not happen.
Jacqueline500
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So my outcome with fiat is that they have offered to pay for parts but not pay for labour. Labour will cost $895.
I am taking this further as fiat is obliged to pay everything since it’s a manufacturing fault.
I am taking this further as fiat is obliged to pay everything since it’s a manufacturing fault.
I've moved this thread to the 500 section. varesecrazy if you come across a thread like this which would be better elsewhere, please use the report button so that we know to move it 
My Fiat500 Lounge was bought in 2014. Its 4 Years and few months old. I developed a crack about 2 months ago. Fiat is only covering for 30% of parts and I have quoted overall $3000 by the dealership for 70% of parts and Labour... its shocking !!.. I am looking for every possible way to make Fiat take up the responsibility.... can you please suggest
As far as I know air bags are housed in a metal container and have a explosive to operate them, so the air bag itself doesn't "expand" its the plastic mouldings around them, that said I could be concerned that plastic pieces could come off in a way not intended once the sun has compromised the surrounding plastic?
Having replaced many of them I can confirm that the airbag itself is contained in a plastic rectangular container with the top of the airbag facing up to the covered aperture in the dash. It would not expand to break the seal.
The seal is a flap which has stitching in it which breaks under tension (the air bag deploying) and pushes through the top of the dash. I think the most likely reason for this is excessive heat or faulty stitching.
Pictures below of the underside and top of the airbag
The seal is a flap which has stitching in it which breaks under tension (the air bag deploying) and pushes through the top of the dash. I think the most likely reason for this is excessive heat or faulty stitching.
Pictures below of the underside and top of the airbag
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Same problem with our 2014 Fiat 500. In line with what others have said, dealership has offered cost of parts but will charge labour (2 full days - $2200)! Has everyone filled in a complaint with the ACCC? Thinking that is the next step.