I got a brand new Panda 1.1 Active in March 07 and it was great until a problem arose in December. It started misfiring and the engine management light came on every time it happened, but it was only an intermittent problem. I booked it in to my local dealer where I purchased it in Warrington and they came back to me and said they couldn't find a fault, nothing registered on the ECU and they'd checked all connections. So I took it away and sure enough the problem started again so it went back in during January and this time they changed the plugs. It was fine for a few weeks and the problem came back again last week. I called the AA out one night as it misfired about 6 times and cut out twice, the AA said straight away that it would either be the coil or the ECU. It's now happening at least once or twice every time I go out in it. I just took it into Fiat for a third time today and again they've said the fault hasn't occurred on a road test and hasn't shown on the ECU, so they can't fix it if they can't locate the problem.

I feel I'm being fobbed off and I'm going round in circles. I want this fixing while it's under warranty and don't want to be paying out for something out of my own pocket when it eventually fails completely, especially if it's the ECU. I am going to write a letter of complaint to head office first of all and take it to Watchdog if necessary. I'm not happy paying for a car that isn't working properly.

Anyone have any suggestions or experienced the same problem?

I'd try a different dealer.

Untsboo said:

I am going to write a letter of complaint to head office first of all and take it to Watchdog if necessary. I'm not happy paying for a car that isn't working properly.

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I agree with FuzzyPanda...Try another dealer! Also try ringing FIAT customer services rather than writing (at least at first!) ....

And you're right, you shouldn't have to put up with it....

As for the problem I'm sure somebody here will be able to shed some light on it!

Let us know what happens!

they sometimes have problems with the coils on them and other pandas too, mine did that now its ok, all done under warrenty

I had this problem with my old '02 reg Punto. Called out the AA and they said coil or ECU.

Took it to FIAT dealer and they said ECU needed replaced, which they did under warranty.

I agree with prev - try a different dealer (if there is one locally) and also phone FIAT Customer Services.

All above posts are right. Other thing to do is ask for a technician to spend some time in the car with you until the fault occurs. But as has already been said, phone FIAT customer service and tell them what the problem is they will be able to contact the dealer and ask them to deal seriously with your problem.They will also have an Area Factory Engineer who will visit dealers to deal with problems that are difficult to solve.