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Technical 2nd Steering Rack Replaced and still not working!

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Technical 2nd Steering Rack Replaced and still not working!

J

jelangley

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Joined
Jul 3, 2006
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As the title suggests.

Am currently contacting UK Managing Director, Dealerships and Fiat UK.

Disgusted with the service and fobbing off that i'm recieving.

Been back for repairs 6 times! 2 of them not steering rack but paint and mp3player problems.

Anyone had similar problems? Will be contacting Watchdog and Trading Standards shortly if i do not have a suitable response.

J
 
jelangley said:
As the title suggests.

Am currently contacting UK Managing Director, Dealerships and Fiat UK.

Disgusted with the service and fobbing off that i'm recieving.

Been back for repairs 6 times! 2 of them not steering rack but paint and mp3player problems.

Anyone had similar problems? Will be contacting Watchdog and Trading Standards shortly if i do not have a suitable response.

J
Click to expand...


Firstly, calm down!!

Ensure that the dealership have been given the revised steering racks to replace the original on your car. My local dealer were given the incorrect ones so told me to wait a couple of weeks for the correct ones to come in. they did and now the car is perfect again. :)

Its not the dealerships fault as they are given the parts from Italy and it is frustarting how long it took for new parts to arrive, but what is your exact reason for wanting to contact TS and Watchdog? The cars have always been safe and its only the keen eyed people who can even notice that there is an issue with the old racks. All new cars can have faults as has been discussed many times on this forum. Even Toyota's have had to go back for recall work and they are supposedlythe epitomy of reliabilty and build quality!!! if you are unhappy with your dealer try another one and write to Fiat about the dealer who has given you shoddy service, in your opinion.

Paint and mp3 problems can be easily sorted and is prob just unfortunate that its happened to you, so grab a mug of horlicks and chill out :cool:
 
Last edited:
Don't mean to be funny Chirs, but you don't know the full story behind this.

Besides, I'm not asking for opinion, I'm asking as to whether anyone else has had their steering rack replaced twice, and still have the problem, or have resolved their issue and if so, how.

J
 
Thats fine, but you should ask the dealer if they have fitted the revised components rather than the just replace like for like, as if thats all they have done then the steering won;t feel any different.

I have had the revised rack fitted and all the knocking and slackness i had in the steering has gone, but like you there was a long delay, in all it was 5 weeks after the original replacement date i was given (which was given as 8 weeks after notification of the problem!) in having it done due to the parts not being avaliable.

To get some proper advice from the other guys on this forum you should give full details of what has happened so you can get direct comment from others who have had a similar experience (y)
 
Ok, well, the situation is thus:

1.

Had to return to origional dealer not long after i first purchase the car, due to a large chip caused by the valeters. A repair was carried out quite quickly. Did not receive any comp for this, dealer admitted it was their fault.

2.

Had to return to origional dealer again a couple of weeks later. After a few weeks of fobbing me off that the problem of having no MW frequiences on my radio was a well known problem and was being looked into, they eventually agreed to replace the unit for me which cured the problem - fine then, you would think, however....

3.

Visit 3 to another dealer to look at steering rack, they confirmed it was faulty and arrange another date for me to return and have it fitted.

4.

Steering rack replaced - drove back home, could still hear a large banging sound.

5.

Re-visited dealers, they said it was a lose cable which has unclipped from the steering rack. (this is rubbish as I have since found out that the reason the dealer did not replace the steering rack this time round was because they did not have any in stock). Anyway, they said that the new secured cable would fix the problem, it didnt. Had to book time off work for this.

6.

Re-visited again to have another steering rack replaced. Confirmed with the garage prior to my visit that they would have racks in stock and they would be the correct version. Got there, only to find out they were out of stock, and another revised (for the 2nd time) rack was on backorder, but they managed to find another rack for me (not the modified version), they confirmed that this replacement could well be faulty, is this usual pratice.

7.

Driven away from garage, knocking can still be heared. Had enough now, had 2 days off, mileage on car and expense which is not my fault. Both my origional dealer and repair dealer are fobbing me off and blaming each other.

That is why i'm going to trading standards within 7 days.
 
jelangley said:
As the title suggests.

Am currently contacting UK Managing Director, Dealerships and Fiat UK.

Disgusted with the service and fobbing off that i'm recieving.

Been back for repairs 6 times! 2 of them not steering rack but paint and mp3player problems.

Anyone had similar problems? Will be contacting Watchdog and Trading Standards shortly if i do not have a suitable response.

J
Click to expand...

All you have to do is contact Fiat customer relations,explain the situation & ask them to open a case on this,state also you would like the repairs to be carried out efficently and as soon as possible.Customer services then opens up a case with the dealer which stays open until you are satisfied.
The paint problem however is an accident and such things do happen in life,however the repair should be carried out to satisfactory standards.
Contacting watchdog & trading standards will get you the same response...you have to let the dealer have the car for a reasonable length of time to repair the car,obviously a courtesy car will have to be arranged prior to this.
 
Hang on T!

Don't you think that I would of considered this very thing when trying to resolve the problem. Yes, I have been speaking to Fiat UK at length today, and yes, the problem still exisits and i am not happy with there response.

IT IS OF MY OPINION THAT FIAT HAVE A MAJOR DESIGN PROBLEM WITH THE EARLIER VERSIONS OF THIS VEHICLE, AND HAVE KNOW THIS FOR QUITE A WHILE. THEY PREFER TO, BRUSH UNDER THE CARPET AND LET THE CUSTOMER BE INCONVENICED BOTH FINANCIALLY AND TIME WISE.

I DON'T MIND DECLARING THAT, OTHER PEOPLE IN THIS FORUM WHO ARE NOT HAPPY WITH THE SERVICE THEY RECIEVE DUE TO A FAULTY STEERING RACK, THEN FOR US ALL TO CONTACT BBC AND ALERT THEM TO THE PROBLEM. I WILL BE SHORTLY ARRANGING AN MOT ON THIS VEHICLE TO HOPEFULLY CONFIRM IT'S INADEQUATE STATE OF REPAIR.
 
jelangley said:
Hang on T!

IT IS OF MY OPINION THAT FIAT HAVE A MAJOR DESIGN PROBLEM WITH THE EARLIER VERSIONS OF THIS VEHICLE, AND HAVE KNOW THIS FOR QUITE A WHILE. THEY PREFER TO, BRUSH UNDER THE CARPET AND LET THE CUSTOMER BE INCONVENICED BOTH FINANCIALLY AND TIME WISE.

QUOTE]

Yes the design problem of the earlier batch of steering racks has been acknowledged and it has been addressed by Fiat as have some other minor faults.

If you are so unhappy with the car and Fiat, formally reject the car using the rights avaliable to you if you can prove that your rights have been breached, go and buy a Vauxhall Corsa or a Peugeot 207, then come back on the forum and tell us all the miles of trouble free motoring you will have NOT had with these brand new cars as the manufacturers sort out the teething troubles with their brand new models.

If you look back through some of the earlier threads their is some good advice as to how you go about rejecting a car, and it was successful for the chap who posted the inital thread so give it a go.
Click to expand...
 
Another Sir moan alot. Jeeesus calm down if your dealer is f**king you off go somewhere else and report them to FIAT UK. I have had to use such a tactic in the past and trust me it does f**king work!. And as "T" says if you whinge to fiat enough they will do what he described and in some cases give you a new car (someone else on the forum has had this).
 
QUOTE

Yes the design problem of the earlier batch of steering racks has been acknowledged and it has been addressed by Fiat as have some other minor faults.

QUOTE

Yes, the steering racks have been acknowledged as being faulty. The last time I had mine replaced, the garage confirmed that they could be fitting a faulty steering rack! This is negligence.

QUOTE

If you are so unhappy with the car and Fiat, formally reject the car using the rights avaliable to you

QUOTE

What rights? As Fiat seem to think I have none.

QUOTE

Another Sir moan alot. Jeeesus calm down if your dealer is f**king you off go somewhere else and report them to FIAT UK.

QUOTE

What is up with everyone?? Why be bias to Fiat so much? Can I ask a question, are your cars working? And if so, how many times did it take to fix them, I take it that you had to return to a garage to get them fixed? I have been elsewhere and obtained a less than satisfactory response. I know of 1 other person that has had major problems with the same garage/head office/company as a whole than me.

My point in this whole issue, apart from the people that are now happy because they have had their car’s fixed, is why should we have to put up with it?? There are many people, even not involved with this forum, that are experiencing major problems with the state of their vehicle, and that Fiat are failing to deal with solutions to a car that I deem a bad design. I would appreciate any support in this matter, and call for other peoples bad experiences with their Grande Punto’s to be bought to the attention of BBC Watchdog.
 
jelangley said:
Hang on T!

Don't you think that I would of considered this very thing when trying to resolve the problem. Yes, I have been speaking to Fiat UK at length today, and yes, the problem still exisits and i am not happy with there response.

IT IS OF MY OPINION THAT FIAT HAVE A MAJOR DESIGN PROBLEM WITH THE EARLIER VERSIONS OF THIS VEHICLE, AND HAVE KNOW THIS FOR QUITE A WHILE. THEY PREFER TO, BRUSH UNDER THE CARPET AND LET THE CUSTOMER BE INCONVENICED BOTH FINANCIALLY AND TIME WISE.

I DON'T MIND DECLARING THAT, OTHER PEOPLE IN THIS FORUM WHO ARE NOT HAPPY WITH THE SERVICE THEY RECIEVE DUE TO A FAULTY STEERING RACK, THEN FOR US ALL TO CONTACT BBC AND ALERT THEM TO THE PROBLEM. I WILL BE SHORTLY ARRANGING AN MOT ON THIS VEHICLE TO HOPEFULLY CONFIRM IT'S INADEQUATE STATE OF REPAIR.
Click to expand...

Firstly please dont shout,it's rude & there is no call for it especially when someone is trying to help you!

Secondly there is a new complaints system being set up as we speak that will hopefully deal with complaints like yours quickly & efficently.The whole idea of it is to get Fiat,the customer & the dealer in question together to resolve matters together without all the "well we can't do this until they say we can....."etc etc stuff which has been a major gripe for many customers.At least Fiat are trying to do something about it & I hope for the benefit of everyone it works to the customers satisfaction.

I can also assure you it was not a major design problem as you state...I should know.As for brushing it under the carpet i'd suggest you look at other manufactuers who are expert at brushing mistakes under the carpet.No manufacturer readily admits to mistakes however but yes of course it happens.

Yes I agree others here have had long waits for steering racks for earlier cars but they have just about all be done now & to be honest alot of these people (who are regular visitors here) have been very patient,some even very understanding like 'rob19791' who despite all he went through has remained loyal to the Fiat brand.Alot of people on this forum accept that faults can & do occur,they also accept it happens with ALL makes of cars plus lets not forget most people here like Fiats! We all have good/bad stories & personal dealings with Fiats...lets face it if Fiats were perfect everyone would be driving around in them wouldn't they? but they are not nor is any car or any mechanical item wether it be a washing machine,car,computer etc.

However,I sincerly hope your car gets sorted quickly and to your complete satisfaction.
 
To be quite honest I don't think they will give a f**k because you will need to get alot more cases where people have had as much trouble as rob19791 which you to be fair haven't!. And the customer service you get is alot to do with the dealer and nothing to do with Fiat.

jelangley said:
I have been elsewhere and obtained a less than satisfactory response. I know of 1 other person that has had major problems with the same garage/head office/company as a whole than me.
Click to expand...

Then as said go somewhere else! Fiat themselves don't own dealers its a Franchise.

As with any new modern car you take pot luck on weither you get a good one or not. Ford,Toyota(they have steering rack recalls too),Honda,Merc,BMW,VW,Skoda all have problems the same as fiat. I've never been treated as bad as a Car Customer as I was when I bought a Skoda Fabia vRS (they where good until I parted with the Cash) then my Brakes failed! nearly causing a pile up they tried saying it was my fault then after I got independant analysis they admited the brake servo distribution unit failed!. If you want a car thats brand new and 100% trouble free buy a Rolls Royce as thats the only brand that will achieve this and you bloody well pay for it.
 
QUOTE

If you are so unhappy with the car and Fiat, formally reject the car using the rights avaliable to you

QUOTE

What rights? As Fiat seem to think I have none.

- As a consumer you have rights. Read up on them from your local Citizens Advice Bearuex and if you believe they have been breached then write to Fiat outlining why you think that. Then, and only then, if Fiat's answer is unsatisfactory can you then start to take some serious action against them. I don;t think they have though and your dispute is purely bad service from your local dealer which is an annoyance but no worse than most other places these days. Ever tried taking something back to Argos 'cos it doesnt work and you have opened the box!?


I would appreciate any support in this matter, and call for other peoples bad experiences with their Grande Punto’s to be bought to the attention of BBC Watchdog.[/QUOTE]

If you are serious about this set up a new thread so it can be clearly seen and see how many people sign up to it. I just think you are upset and venting some anger but have no plans to really pursue this matter to the extent you are saying.

If you are serious, good luck, we will all await the outcome with some interest
 
Letters have been sent to the apropriate places and I now await an outcome. If i do not have a satisfactory response by next week, I intend to take it further.

Thanks for your help
 
hello,

firstly id like to say fiat uk are as helpfull as a chocolate tea pot. They will pass the buck....trust me.

I had the steering rack problem..... took it for MOT....failed, threatened legal action....wham bam thank you maam a brand new replacement car.

Look for my thread..... My grande punto failed MOT.... its got nearly 6000 looks and 200 replies.

It may be handy to you.

If not then you can email me or private message me and il go into more depth to how i worked it all out....eventually
 
How to get your Punto to demonstrate the Knocking sound without driving for miles.;)

 Setting
Slight incline or resistance to forward motion

Demonstration
With the engine running, slowly release the clutch (do not apply any throttle )
the engine will almost be on the point of stalling and will rock on its mountings

At this point the knocking sound will be heard clearly inside of the car only.

The frequency of the sound, seems to match the frequency of the engine rocking.

Note of caution - Be prepared to brake and watch out for other traffic.
 
Or just get the a chap from the dealership to sit in the car and let him listen to the noise when you turn the steering wheel?

Is much more effective at showing a stereing rack problem, me thinks, than demonstarting masterly clutch control by letting th engine rock on its mountings without stalling ;)

Intersting point of view though!
 
AllSaintChris said:
Or just get the a chap from the dealership to sit in the car and let him listen to the noise when you turn the steering wheel?

Is much more effective at showing a stereing rack problem, me thinks, than demonstarting masterly clutch control by letting th engine rock on its mountings without stalling ;)

Intersting point of view though!
Click to expand...

Yes, but we may be listening to a different noise.

Reading the thread about the car that failed its MOT someone stated the problem was a rubber bush. Rubber is most likely to be involved as the knocking was louder and more frequent in the summer months than now.

Yes, you may have already guessed I have this problem, yes I am waiting for a replacement steering rack.

Am I convinced this will solve the noise problem? well I am keeping my fingers crossed and bowing to their product knowledge! for now.:worship:

However as the owner and driver I am legally responsible for its condition and use, therefore I need to ensure to best of my knowledge it is fit for the purpose for which it is intended.

So I will be getting off the sofa forgetting about cosy warranties and doing my own inspection before playing Russian roulette with an MOT.

If you hear nothing more from me the safety catch was not on when I pulled the trigger. :devil:
 
Good news boys and girls(and biast dealerships that broswe this forum),

I now have a working Grande Punto. Much to my delight, it took several letters to to the managing director of fiat, the local dealer and the origional dealer that have finally fixed the problem.

If only I had taken the car back to the origional dealership.....it would of saved more than half the time in diagnosing and fixing the problem, and yes I will mention them, Fiat of Bostons, a decent, trust worthy family owned franchise who won't fob you off (unlike certain garages in the Midlands, yes, you know who you are, and yes, you will shortly be recieviing corespendence).

My faith is now certainly restored in Fiat. I am not a moaner, nor a complainer, but when I pay good money for a new car I at the least expect a road worthy vehicle when repaired, not unsatisfactory/negligent service off a main stream dealer (hmmm). In response to those that did diss my earlier comments i say..... your environment of comment is not apropriate to a forum such as this (T@@$£$£). To all current and new members that read this thread, listen to the average chap on the street that has purchased this car, and trust your own instincts when a problem ocours, I did, and it saved me alot of pain as a result (not going any further.)

Anyway, thanks very much Fiat, and thankyou very much Fiat, a letter of gratitude is winging its way to the repair garage.
 
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