hi, my gp has just had its steering column replaced for the second time in a year (thankfully still under warranty). It has faild for 'sliding' when driving, changing torque, play in the steering and in the case of the first replacement rattling too. At no time have I had any warning lights appear!

What really worries me apart from my safety is that the courtesy car had the same fault and so did my son's mk2 Punto (that was replaced twice in a year at quite considerable cost!).
I believe that this is a major design fault - confirmed by some of the other email threads on this site. I am going to challenge Fiat over this as I believe this should be the subject of a major recall.

For those of you that are having the parts replaced by garages consumer direct have some very valuable help with the 'supply of goods and service act'.

First post.... hmmm

and your point? I've just found this site thought there might be some help out there.....

Its not a Fiat system!

Secondly all manufactures are moving to electric steering for cost & enviromental reasons.

If the EPS system fails you still have 'normal' (sometimes heavier) steering. If these systems were dangerous in anyway they would not be allowed for use on UK (or any other) roads.

Its also different systems on Grande and Punto, so not really relevent.

T14086 said:

If the EPS system fails you still have 'normal' (sometimes heavier) steering.

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Yeah it is bloody heavy when it fails, mine went on me when i was out once, good workout on my arms that was.

I dont see why it should be a fiat recall, its very rare for them to go you have been very unlucky. There are thousands of GPs out there which dont have a problem with them.

My mums old Citroen C3 had similar problems with the power steering cutting out. Turned out to be a software fault in that case rather than a problem with the motor/steering column itself.

Theres a thread on the forum here somewhere (cant find it at moment) which shows the citroen electric steering column costing over £1200

Did the C3 have door lock/brake disc problems?

thank you all for your comments.
I do realise that this is not an official site.

Yes I am unlucky but as I am about to take my car back for the third time I wanted to share my experiences, hopefully get some constructive comments (thanks - 30111987). Also to let others know in case they are having problems too - the steering has not failed completely but the car is acting as though there are constant side winds - sliding all over the road.

Ho hum

T14086 said:

Theres a thread on the forum here somewhere (cant find it at moment) which shows the citroen electric steering column costing over £1200

Did the C3 have door lock/brake disc problems?

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no but the ecu did eventually pack up all together (just out the warranty!)
Citreon paid half the cost. Had to be towed with the RAC to the dealer as of course the speedo etc failed with it.

Had the same problem with my GP although I was able to drive it after leaving it for a day and starting it again.

Anyway back to the topic:

teepee is the fault your having the actual steering colum or the electrics?

hi all, i have the same problem, my steering wheel has play and when passing over bubs you can hear a rattling noise, i recently went to fiat and apparently it costs a bombshell to fix....

bubs

hehehe i meant bumps

mrk777punto said:

hi all, i have the same problem, my steering wheel has play and when passing over bubs you can hear a rattling noise, i recently went to fiat and apparently it costs a bombshell to fix....

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can you describe the rattle? mine is very stable but when i get over bumps i here a ''low volume'' rattle like plastics bumping on metal. is yours a rattle like 2 pieces of metal rubbing against each other? is it loud?

Got mines going in to the main dealer in two weeks. Sound like my steering is being affected by all of these problems, you guys have stated :
*sliding -having little control of your car.
*odd occasions of heavy steering.
*grinding whilst turning.
etc.

And im in my 3rd year of my warranty. Trust me, i wont be taking any rubbish from them, i want my car nothing less than sorted.

sim citi said:

Trust me, i wont be taking any rubbish from them, i want my car nothing less than sorted.

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Why do people have this attitude? Its not the garages fault if your claim is rejected...dont shoot the messenger!

However sleep well tonight because it will be covered

p.s. dont wait 2 weeks, get it sorted ASAP!

T14086 said:

Why do people have this attitude? Its not the garages fault if your claim is rejected...dont shoot the messenger!

However sleep well tonight because it will be covered

p.s. dont wait 2 weeks, get it sorted ASAP!

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Lol, sorry. Im not always like this, but the only reason i made that comment is because they have tried it before. They tried to charge me £120 just to take four wheels off to check something on my mk2. Cant remember what is was, but i happily declined. Am also gonna have to wait two weeks,as a need a courtesy car, as the garage is a fair few miles from my place of work.

sim citi said:

gonna have to wait two weeks,as a need a courtesy car, as the garage is a fair few miles from my place of work.

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decent garage would have part in stock, diagnosed and fitted in 2 hours max.

My power steering failed once, it was well heavy! well actually more completely solid! luckily it was while i was stationary, if that had happened on a corner i'd'a been in deep sh*t

My steering wheel sits to the left and drags in this direction. It causes the inside edge of the left tyre to wear quicker than any other part (it's not the tracking, it's been checked).

Is that due to to an inherrant fault or did i just go thru water to fast or something similar? lol

Mine failed on me, its a right work out driving for 30miles without it lol