Hi everyone,

We have a Stilo 16v 1.6 Dynamic 5dr 2002, we have many of the problems that are mentioned on here but are getting nowhere with Fiat UK, they have now closed the complaint after 6 weeks, although we have not had any resolution from them, they do say however that a letter is in the post, we are not even allowed to talk to anyone at Customer Relations about what the letter says!? Has anyone else had this outcome?

With respect to the front tyres if the car has done less than 10,000 miles Fiat will pay 100% of the cost of new tyres. We know this because ours has the same problem but we cannot get anyone local to us to fix the car.
The faults we have are:-
1. Front suspension
2. Rear suspension
3. Low fuel consumption
4. Lack of power in the engine
5. Frozen doors
6. Rain sensor that has never worked
7. Loose drivers door trim
8. Doors lock and unlock when they feel like it
9. Radio loses memory
10. Indicators knock off to early (design fault)

I could go on for pages about the way we have been dealt with by Fiat UK and our local dealers, for instance Caledonia Fiat in Warrington who sold us the car are now denying that the car has been in the garage three times, Forward Autos in St Helens do not want to touch it because they are not a charity and will not make any money on it, although they would have if we had bought it from them! However there is Piccadilly in Ripon who have been brilliant helping us and are prepared to fix the car but they will not let us have a courtesy car(the MD blocked that), they are 100 miles from us, we would have to hire a car at our own expense.
We have been in touch with Watchdog and Top Gear but so far no response!
Please can anyone help us we are desperate!

Regards

Stasi and Kazz[!]

Sorry to hear about your problems. I too have found Fiat customer department an complete waste of my time.

However is the car not covered by a warranty? If it is then any Fiat garage should carry out the repair. And it's all money for them. They invoice Fiat for the work they have carried out.

I drive an Abarth and to be honest with you, I've found that most garages DO NOT have clue how it works. They seem to think plug it onto the computer and it will tell whats wrong.

So hows car going to tell an engineer that theres a problem with the suspension?

One thing I do know. I will never purchase another Fiat in my life. And thats a shame because the car would be great other wise. No other car on the market matches the Abarth.

Feel totaly let down by Fiat.

Sorry this does not help you, but felt the need for a moan myself.

Hope you get the car sorted.

Darrel.

Yellow 3 door Abarth!

Your right the car is covered by the warranty it is only 8 months old, its been into Caledonia 3 times,they say they've fixed the rain sensor, tracking(front suspension), and engine, but now they are saying it has only been in once for the rain sensor and they no nothing about the above problems they say they have fixed because they have no records, we have lost all trust in them because of this.
Forward Autos I rang them asking for help,nobody bothered to ring me back, when Fiat told them to sort our car they weren't interested because they would not make any money on it, plus they refused to let us have a courtesy car, although they would our car for a week.
We await the letter from Fiat UK telling us what the resolution is going to be!
Personally its the first car I have ever bought (Kazz) and I its a necessity not a luxury, I would never ever by another Fiat or recommend it to anyone.
It would seem in this country that the customer is always wrong these days!!!!!

We wait in anticipation for the post in the morning!!!

Kazz & Stasi


Stasi and Kazz 16v 1.6 Dymanic 5 dr

If your car still has faults and they refuse to fix them, then they haven't got a leg to stand on. Make it a legal matter.

If you haven't already, then go and talk to the C.A.B.

Having said that, I think I would bypass them and go straight to Trading Standards.

I would also seek legal advice. Are you in the AA or RAC or does your car/house insurance company have a legal helpline? I have used mine several times. You usually leave some details and a solicitor calls you back. You can then get a legal view of the whole matter.

Also write to Fiat, again, saying that you are currently talking to trading standards and your solicitor. Give them 14 days to fix, or at least attempt to fix your car, or you will take them to court. The threat itself should wake them up. If it doesn't, then depending on what the solicitor said, take 'em to court[}]

_________________________
2003 Stilo 1.6 Dynamic 3dr, Orion Grey, 17" Alloys, Dual Zone Climate Control, Aluminum Sills, Clarion DXZ928R, Kenwood DualMags, almost de-badged

Stasi, I'm sorry to hear your tale, it sounds like you've really had a rough time. The service department at Caledonia in Manchester are fantastic and I'm sure they would help you, why don't you give them a call? I know it's the same group but the attitude might be different.

I also suggest you try writing to What Car magazine, they have a section in it for people just like you when the manufacturer is just not willing to do their bit. Go buy a copy and see what I mean.

Fiar Stilo Abarth 3dr. Loden Green, Beige Leather, Sky Window, Cold Climate Pack, 17" Alloys, CD Changer. Anticipated Delivery Mid June.

Sounds like a very familiar story. I too have problems with the CD player. Does it play happily on (say) track 6. Then you turn the engine off at the end of your journey. Then later, on your next journey, rather than continuing at track 6, it starts all over on track 1!?!? (mine does)

Also - does your car have either the Dual Zone Climate Control or Air Conditioning?

<blockquote id="quote"> face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by kevin.peirce
Sounds like a very familiar story. I too have problems with the CD player. Does it play happily on (say) track 6. Then you turn the engine off at the end of your journey. Then later, on your next journey, rather than continuing at track 6, it starts all over on track 1!?!? (mine does)

Also - does your car have either the Dual Zone Climate Control or Air Conditioning?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

not to mention the radio coming on automatically as soon as you start the ignition - whether it was on or off when you last had the car running (well it does on my dads 5door 1.9JTD)

SEI POWER

NOS Guzzlers are just lower beings ​

Hi everyone again,

Sorry to reply to this one again, but hopefully it may help other people buying Stilo's, from our previous posts in this thread you can see the problems we had, we did go down the return the car route with the finance company but they were awkard as well, finally we had had enough, we found a garage that was willing to take it off our hands as a part ex knowing all the problems it had, now we finally have hassle free motoring!!!!!!!

We did write to the Guardian newspaper as well, the week after we got rid of the car, they rang us to say that Caledonia Fiat and Fiat UK were now willing to fix the car and they knew about all the problems it had.

So if you get any hassle from Fiat UK or your dealer, take it higher, the way they deal with us as customers is disgusting, I know I will never ever buy another Fiat.

But good luck and happy motoring to you all and thank you for your help.

Regards

Kazz and Ian

No longer a Stilo owner !!!!!!!!!

Stasi and Kazz 16v 1.6 Dymanic 5 dr

I can symphatize with you completely, I bought my Abarth for the fun and gadgets. Seeing most gadgets don´t work properly (they do according to Fiat, but not to other normal living human beings with common sense)and the other trouble you get, it´s no fun either. Just wish I´d kept my old (well, only 3 year and 22.000 miles on it) problemfree Xsara 1.8.

Curious, what did you buy this time?

Abarth 3d Black Moire + 17" + cdc + "718" + Sebring TS4

Hi

We bought a Mondeo Zetec 2 litre this time, so far no probs, does a lot more mpg than the 1.6 Dynamic, nothing rattles and no bald tyres!
Basically they were one of the few dealers that was prepared to take the Stilo off our hands with all the problems it had.

Kazz

I too have exchanged my car. Nothing but problems.

But can't still reading this forum and reading all the faults people are still getting. Feel very sorry for people who own the cars now.

Such a shame as it's a good looking car.

All the best all.

Yellow 3 door Abarth!

Try pressing pause while the CD is playing and then turning it off. I have to do this with the multichanger on my Stilo, or it carries on playing for about 20 minutes even with the head unit switched off.

<blockquote id="quote"> face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Donz
<blockquote id="quote"> face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by kevin.peirce
Sounds like a very familiar story. I too have problems with the CD player. Does it play happily on (say) track 6. Then you turn the engine off at the end of your journey. Then later, on your next journey, rather than continuing at track 6, it starts all over on track 1!?!? (mine does)

Also - does your car have either the Dual Zone Climate Control or Air Conditioning?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

not to mention the radio coming on automatically as soon as you start the ignition - whether it was on or off when you last had the car running (well it does on my dads 5door 1.9JTD)

SEI POWER

NOS Guzzlers are just lower beings ​

Try reading the Stereo handbook. It tells you how to set it up so you can turn the stereo on independantly from the ignition.[?]
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

hello,

I have a Stilo 1.6 dynamic, April 2002. I have had the car since June 2003 and have had a few problems with it. I have called the AA twice because the engine cuts out when I slow down, really dangerous. My CD player doesn't work sometimes, I have taken it to the dealer for the engine problem and they just reset the computer and send me on my way, no doubt the engine will cut out again. I just wondered if anybody has had the same problems, if so what have you done about them??

Tash

If the problem is (temporarily) fixed when they reset the computer, but then returns, take it back to them and demand they look deeper. There is obviously something more to it. Good luck.

_________________________
2003 Stilo 1.6 Dynamic 3dr, Orion Grey, 17" Alloys, Dual Zone Climate Control, Aluminum Sills, Clarion DXZ928R, Kenwood DualMags, Clarion SRX1784, de-badged.
I accept no responsibility for the content of my posts, nor any decisions you make based on them.[^]

Hello Tashy, I had this problem with my first Stilo. It was particularly bad when slowing down quickly. The tickover was also very erratic, and engine fault was displayed in the screen. My local dealer first did something with an air intake sensor, which worked for a while. Then they replaced the throttle body (whatever that is). That seemed to cure it, there was also a slight improvement in the cars performance. I had the car for another four months and had no more problems with that part, just the rest of it was crap.
Hope this is a help. Pete.

1.6 dynamic 5door Steel grey.

<font face="Georgia"><font face="Century Gothic">Hi Pete,

Thanks for your reply. My Stilo has been in the garage twice for the same fault, they keep clearing it, but it reappears, it does seem to happen when slowing down, so maybe its the same problem yours had, I'll speak to the dealer see what they can do. I only got the car in May so it probably had the fault on it when I bought it, but they didn't bother to tell me, hopefully it'll be sorted soon. Seems a shame about all these stupid faults on Stilo's , their nice cars (to look at), Fiat also need to sort out their aftercare.
Tash </font id="Century Gothic"></font id="Georgia">

Tash

HI I really do feel for you, I can also confirm that Caledonia manchester are a fantastic bunch of guys, they have been a joy (sic) to deal with with the few faults i have had with my stilo - they are available on 0161 708 9000, I am sorry to hear that you have had problems, please dont let this taint your view of that marque, note I have owned Hondas, Toyotas, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Rover, Citroen, and a Mini, as well as some yank barges (Dodge, Chrysler, GMC, Caddilac) And for new cars Fiat are second only to Mitsubishi in my experience. (mitsi replaced my car, gave me a courtesy vehicle without question for the 48 hours they thought i was to be without - it was 12 hours and i got a call asking if it was ok to deliver a new car - it was a major engine fault that i reported on a saturday evening at 4.30ish and they delivered a new car to me at 9.15 am sunday, i had a similar replacement/courtesy from 4.45 on the saturday - awesome service.)

caledonia manchester again, have always been helpful, they have taken into consideration that i am a mechanic/tuner and with that appreciate that my car is customised and still they do warrantee work if needed because they appreciate that people like to make their car their own - my experience only, but this is right up to dec29th when i had an airbag failure (seat switch dislodged) where the salesperson, came out to check the car and genuinely enjoyed looking over what i have done to the car. Again sorry you have had a bad experience, but I for one welcome Fiat as a fixture in my collection of vehicles - until next september (2005) when i am going to get an Alfa, but thats just for personal preference.....


Stilo 1.6 17" alloy upgrade, minor engine mods only 170 tame horses atm.

Hi Stasi

Sorry to hear about your problems! I've had a few with mine, but thankfully I have 2 great dealers who are really trying to help. With regards to your problems:

1. Front Suspension - mine makes a "wallowing" noise. I've been told there are modifications to the torsion beam and anti-roll bar, which is a warranty job.
2. Rear Suspension - the famous Stilo creaking rear suspension. Either needs a new subframe (which FIAT still insist mine has after 6 months of me taking it back to the dealer), or failing that, get the modified rear axle bushes put in, and make sure they're greased up (also try the rear axle washer kit (this was a bulletin)).
3. Low Fuel Consumption - mine had high fuel consumption, which I'm sure you mean. I put RON 98 fuel in twice, the second time putting STP Petrol Additive in, and my MPG's have increased dramatically.
4. Same as above - there is an ECU Update (the dealer can reprogram the Throttle Body and ECU, which can also sort out problem 3).
5. Frozen doors - a known issue. Mine had the rear passenger door stick - my dealer put a new door lock mechanism in and its gone away (touch-wood, apparantly the worm drive for the deadlock is too long and it jamms the door locked - again this is warranty (as it ALL is)).
6. Rain Sensor that never worked - get your dealer to get an AutoWindscreen company in to properly bond on a new sensor - they can de-laminate and not work. Does the dashboard show an error with the sensor? It may need a new Body Computer (my sensor is tempromental).
7. Loose Drivers door trim - get them to fit a new trim; warranty WILL cover this (I've had 3 new door trims).
8. Doors unlock themselves - if this is all doors, its a Body Computer fault. I've been told by my dealer that they've had a few back that do this on the drivers door - the Door Node needs replacing.
9. This again sounds like a Body Computer fault, or a wiring fault.
10. We all have to live with it . . .

Hope some of that helps!

Good luck in getting your problems fixed. Believe me, I know how annoying it is when they're not, or when you get FIAT Syndrome - it's fine when you get the car back from the dealer, but give it a week and it'll all be back!

Stilo 1.6 Dynamic, 5dr, 2002, Crystal Green

By the way, for those Stilo owners with "Engine Fault" messages, idle problems e.t.c (see Tashy and stiloactive's posts), the problem is the Throttle Body - my parts manager at my dealer (whom I get on really well with) told me that Stilo 1.6's suffered from major faults in their throttle bodies, and it caused faults such as those listed. Even though the dealer may not replace it immediately (they cost £450 each), get them to!!!

It's FIAT's fault!

Stilo 1.6 Dynamic, 5dr, 2002, Crystal Green

jeez makes me glad to have a (very) basic cinq

The Fiat Cinquecento
Fun While It Runs