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Technical What defects have you had with your Grande Punto so far?

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Technical What defects have you had with your Grande Punto so far?

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Ongoing faults.

  • Fume-like smell in cabin at crawling speeds with the blower on.
  • creaks from the nearside.
  • rear brakes noisy at reversing at low speeds
  • EXCESS RADIAT. Engine won’t start!
Previous faults, now fixed under warranty.

  • misaligned rear screen
  • bit of paint missing from rear o/s bumper.
  • USB stopped reading music files. 3 times!
  • glove-box would not close.
  • steering wheel hub was rubbing against the steering column.
  • alloy wheels corroded!
  • missing steering cover metal plate (passive safety issue, recall)
  • EGR valve and turbo gasket
  • knocks from front suspension: Drop link(s) replaced.
  • Passenger seat drop mechanism was very stiff.
  • The right side of the stereo head unit popped out.
  • The low oil indicator went on despite being full with stuff.
29,000 miles so far, lots of niggles, however the car always gets me form A to B, I have yet to experience a proper breakdown! Cross fingers...
 
Hi all, just joined and thought I would add my observations yet to be rectified:

Poor fuel consumption. 42 mpg 1.9 multijet 130bhp(n)
Windscreen demist panel warped at drivers side. I guess this is why it takes over 20 mins to clear the windscreen??(n)
Rattle behind driver on right which turns into a graunching sound when driving on to my drive, not steep nor a big kerb(n)

Water leaking out of right hand corner of tailgate after I've washed the car by hand using low pressure hose pipe:cool:

All wheel nuts less locking ones are corroded and look awful:confused: only covered 6000 miles so far.

passenger windo switch just comes out when it is used, looks like poor clip problem.

Brakes sqeal sometimes so I'm not sure if this is the squeal mentioned at the beginning of forum?

Tried to change headlamp bulbs and failed as could not get clips off and ended up trying to get to lamp from under wheel arch through small panel which fell of in my hand.

Other than that it seems fine:bang: Not to worry it is my fourth Fiat and you do have to expect this quality for a fine looking motor:rolleyes: Of course I do expect the dealer to sort the issues out so I might not be so optimistic after I have had that discussion.
 
Very happy with my Sporting 130 but a few minor niggles:

Wheel nuts rusted - but replaced under warranty.
Takes an eternity to clear the screen on icy mornings & the inside of the screen actually has running water on it! - Only ever seen this on an RX-8 I once had...
Heater is useless. The only way I can get heat through the vents is to put the fan onto 2+ - then the fan noise is horrendous!
Sick to death of the stereo switching on when you start the car if you've left anything plugged into the USB port.
Happy with about 44 MPG.

For the money I think it's a fantastic little "warm" hatch(y).
 
Dukeman said:
Hi all, just joined and thought I would add my observations yet to be rectified:

Poor fuel consumption. 42 mpg 1.9 multijet 130bhp(n)
Windscreen demist panel warped at drivers side. I guess this is why it takes over 20 mins to clear the windscreen??(n)
Rattle behind driver on right which turns into a graunching sound when driving on to my drive, not steep nor a big kerb(n)

Water leaking out of right hand corner of tailgate after I've washed the car by hand using low pressure hose pipe:cool:

All wheel nuts less locking ones are corroded and look awful:confused: only covered 6000 miles so far.

passenger windo switch just comes out when it is used, looks like poor clip problem.

Brakes sqeal sometimes so I'm not sure if this is the squeal mentioned at the beginning of forum?

Tried to change headlamp bulbs and failed as could not get clips off and ended up trying to get to lamp from under wheel arch through small panel which fell of in my hand.

Other than that it seems fine:bang: Not to worry it is my fourth Fiat and you do have to expect this quality for a fine looking motor:rolleyes: Of course I do expect the dealer to sort the issues out so I might not be so optimistic after I have had that discussion.
Click to expand...

No you dont have to expect this quality.....all these niggles are easily sorted:)
 
T14086 said:
No you dont have to expect this quality.....all these niggles are easily sorted:)
Click to expand...

Do you not mean "LACK of quality"?:confused:

Both FIAT & ALFA ROMEO are poo when warranty issues arise. I have both a Fiat GPS 130 & an Alfa Brera - both under 18 months old & in warranty. Whenever a warranty issue has arisen I have had to fight tooth & nail with the dealer (Desira Norwich) to sort things out. In every instance I have had to telephone either Fiat UK or Alfa UK Customer Services. This has resulted ON EVERY OCCAISION of a 'phone call from Italy & my local dealer sorting my problems out to my satisfaction.

The dealers don't make much cash out of warranty claims, but as a customer, with a "3" year warranty (laughs) this is not the issue. You are sold a brand new Fiat/Alfa/Maserati/Ferrari with the promise of a 3 year warranty. It's a farce. Try getting anything put right after 24 months! The Japanese & Koreans offer between 5 & 7 years warranty so why can't the "quality" European manufactures? Because the current products are S***E!
 
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T14086 said:
Then why dont you buy a jap/korean car then you'll live a less stressful life & we dont have to listen to your constant moaning...everyones happy:)
Click to expand...

Will do. I'll buy another crappy Lotus (Sorry, - Korean) Exige.:bang:
 
snownrock said:
I wouldnt say that, they replaced my headlight unit under warranty, which im pretty sure was my fault for breaking.
Click to expand...

What if they refuse to acknowledge, or fix/replace a defect when it should be covered under warranty and not my fault?

You obviously don't live in Australia so I don't blame you.
 
snownrock said:
I wouldnt say that, they replaced my headlight unit under warranty, which im pretty sure was my fault for breaking.
Click to expand...

I think this has as much to do with the local dealer attitude than FIAT as a company. Living in Andover I have a choice of 3, in Salisbury, Winchester and Basingstoke all within 20 odd miles. I have already used Salisbury and Winchester and they were poor to say the least. I will try Basingstoke and see how that goes in the next couple of weeks with my new GPS.
 
Dukeman said:
I think this has as much to do with the local dealer attitude than FIAT as a company. Living in Andover I have a choice of 3, in Salisbury, Winchester and Basingstoke all within 20 odd miles. I have already used Salisbury and Winchester and they were poor to say the least. I will try Basingstoke and see how that goes in the next couple of weeks with my new GPS.
Click to expand...

Good luck! I had 3 Puntos before my first GP and my 1.3 MJ Dynamic was a fantastic car spoilt by design faults. In spite of replacing the anti-roll bar, steering rack, shock absorbers and mounts, and steering column shaft, Fiat dealers were unable to overcome the excessive knocking noise the car made when passing over bumps in the road. There were steering problems as well.

I had so much trouble with it that my local dealer gave me a fantastic PX deal on a GP Sporting. If you visit your Fiat dealer in Basingstoke then you will find my Dynamic for sale on their forecourt.

The Sporting is also noisy over bumps but this is relatively unimportant because the seats and suspension are so uncomfortanble that you are dying to get out of it!
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Hi Im new here.

Got an 06 Grande 1.4 dynamic in midnight blue and its done 11, 000 miles.

1. When i bought the car in Jul 06 i asked for floor mats and had to wait a month for them to arrive as they were missing when i collected the car.

2. Car went back to Fiat in Aug 06 because i couldnt open the off side door. Lock was replaced.

3. Back to Fiat Nov 06 for the recall. New steering rack fitted. Another new door lock on the other side of the car as couldnt open that door either. And a new motor for front passenger window as it was going AWOL when i tried to open it.

4. Jan 07. Another new door lock but now on the drivers side. I couldnt get out my car!! Plus another new window motor on the drivers side. God knows what i would have done if i had had an accident and needed to get out the car.

5. Also Jan 07. New heater motor as it had burnt out. Was really noisy couldnt even hear the stereo.

6. Dec 07. Reported problem with back lights and error messages showing on dash "Check stop lights", "Check RHS turn light" No fault found.

7. March 08. Back to fiat for the above problem. Said that back light was corroded. Also RH indicator clicking nineteen to the dozen when it feels like it. Fiat 'fixed' it but an hour after driving out the garage ALL the problems were still there!!!! Also told by Fiat that the car would have to be back in the following week for another new steering rack.

8. This week...car is going back to Fiat and i'm not having it back until its fixed. Strongly worded letter sent off to dealership and headoffice.

Warranty up on the car this Jul. Apparently there is an extended 3 year warranty but it doesnt cover much. My dealership unable to give me a copy of what it does cover. Really worried about the future of my car. Cannot keep taking it back every few months as i cannot afford constant probs.

And with regards to the motorway gliding...mines done that from day 1. In face i had a company ford fiesta and that was better on the motorway and cost half the price.

Happy days
 
Sam08 said:
Hi Im new here.

Got an 06 Grande 1.4 dynamic in midnight blue and its done 11, 000 miles.

1. When i bought the car in Jul 06 i asked for floor mats and had to wait a month for them to arrive as they were missing when i collected the car.

2. Car went back to Fiat in Aug 06 because i couldnt open the off side door. Lock was replaced.

3. Back to Fiat Nov 06 for the recall. New steering rack fitted. Another new door lock on the other side of the car as couldnt open that door either. And a new motor for front passenger window as it was going AWOL when i tried to open it.

4. Jan 07. Another new door lock but now on the drivers side. I couldnt get out my car!! Plus another new window motor on the drivers side. God knows what i would have done if i had had an accident and needed to get out the car.

5. Also Jan 07. New heater motor as it had burnt out. Was really noisy couldnt even hear the stereo.

6. Dec 07. Reported problem with back lights and error messages showing on dash "Check stop lights", "Check RHS turn light" No fault found.

7. March 08. Back to fiat for the above problem. Said that back light was corroded. Also RH indicator clicking nineteen to the dozen when it feels like it. Fiat 'fixed' it but an hour after driving out the garage ALL the problems were still there!!!! Also told by Fiat that the car would have to be back in the following week for another new steering rack.

8. This week...car is going back to Fiat and i'm not having it back until its fixed. Strongly worded letter sent off to dealership and headoffice.

Warranty up on the car this Jul. Apparently there is an extended 3 year warranty but it doesnt cover much. My dealership unable to give me a copy of what it does cover. Really worried about the future of my car. Cannot keep taking it back every few months as i cannot afford constant probs.

And with regards to the motorway gliding...mines done that from day 1. In face i had a company ford fiesta and that was better on the motorway and cost half the price.

Happy days
Click to expand...

How about that for a first post..

Welcome to FF :)
 
other than the recalls i've had to send the 1.2 active back for, (the usual cam shaft cover, squeaky brakes etc) i also had a problem with the sensor for the drivers seatbelt, it would go off even if i was belted up!! it did my head in for weeks!! haven't had any recall notices for the new car, so im assuming that they did the recall work before they delivered the car to me!!
 
georgios1976 said:
Ongoing faults.
  • Fume-like smell in cabin at crawling speeds with the blower on.
  • creaks from the nearside.
  • rear brakes noisy at reversing at low speeds
  • EXCESS RADIAT. Engine won’t start!
Previous faults, now fixed under warranty.
  • misaligned rear screen
  • bit of paint missing from rear o/s bumper.
  • USB stopped reading music files. 3 times!
  • glove-box would not close.
  • steering wheel hub was rubbing against the steering column.
  • alloy wheels corroded!
  • missing steering cover metal plate (passive safety issue, recall)
  • EGR valve and turbo gasket
  • knocks from front suspension: Drop link(s) replaced.
  • Passenger seat drop mechanism was very stiff.
  • The right side of the stereo head unit popped out.
  • The low oil indicator went on despite being full with stuff.
29,000 miles so far, lots of niggles, however the car always gets me form A to B, I have yet to experience a proper breakdown! Cross fingers...
Click to expand...


I asked the dealer to print out all the warranty work they have carried out on my car. So far, warranty repairs have cost Fiat the following:

Heater £199.60
Break kit £49.12
EGR valve (sadly, a reconditioned one...) £126.86
drop links £87.47
Alloy wheels (sadly, the T-jet sporting ones...) £510.64
Rear tailgate glass realignment £126.09

A whopping £1,100 so far! And despite Fiat Italy's assurances, Fiat UK has yet to contact me! So much for improved customer service then!
 
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