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General Nice car shame it never work's!!

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General Nice car shame it never work's!!

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RICHY NEVER BUY A FIAT

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Hi I'm a long suffering owner of a FIAT STILO 1.6 ACTIVE 2002 an import which I have owned from new, I thought it about time (especially after having read all the other negative comment's from STILO owner's with there never ending list of problem's) that I aired my own view's and perhap's warn potential buyer's that perhap's if they were thinking of buying a STILO or indeed any FIAT not to bother unless of course you like a challenge or just want a car that look's really nice but hardly ever work's properly and piece's keep falling off or breaking.
However I must say that the STILO is a lovely looking car (well it was designed by Italian's) which to be honest is why I brought it and when it is actually working properly is a really nice car to drive, the build quality however I think is very poor.

PROBLEM'S SO FAR !!
--------------------
Warning light's ABS, traction control coming on.
Engine management light coming on.
Intermitent windscreen wiper problem.
4 x bonnet release handle's.
N/S/F door lock mechanism replaced unable to unlock(still a problem in winter)
Condensation in headlamp's (Breather kit fitted).
Rattle behind dash (Removed and anti-squeak felt fitted).
Gearbox removed jumping out of 3rd gear.
O/S interior door panel replaced broken.
Car keep's stalling ( Told unable to reset idle speed).
Replace air conditioning pipe split.
Replaced map sensor for car stalling & erratic idle speed(Still no good).

I think that is it at the moment, took my car into FIAT again yesterday for the same problem that I have had pretty much as long as I have had the car as it keep's stalling even when travelling along (which I pointed out was actually quite dangerous)to which the reply was actually this is a common problem and most likely the throttle body and ECU to the cost of £800.
As it turn's out apparently there is a software download update for the ECU which FIAT had'nt bothered to tell me about which so they say will sort out my problem, unfortuanatly they can't seem to be able to get it at the moment, so watch this space. It also appear's I have not been notified of a recall for side airbag's which also potentially dangerous.

Happy motoring!! ( unless you own a STILO then that would be unlikley)
 
RICHY NEVER BUY A FIAT said:
Hi I'm a long suffering owner of a FIAT STILO 1.6 ACTIVE 2002 an import which I have owned from new, I thought it about time (especially after having read all the other negative comment's from STILO owner's with there never ending list of problem's)
Click to expand...

Also loads that are happy with their stilos:) Personally I would never buy a import.

RICHY NEVER BUY A FIAT said:
warn potential buyer's that perhap's if they were thinking of buying a STILO or indeed any FIAT not to bother unless of course you like a challenge or just want a car that look's really nice but hardly ever work's properly and piece's keep falling off or breaking.
Click to expand...

I take it you are familiar with the whole Fiat range?

RICHY NEVER BUY A FIAT said:
As it turn's out apparently there is a software download update for the ECU which FIAT had'nt bothered to tell me about
Click to expand...

Why should they? it's not & never was a recall & does not always cure the fault that you have.

RICHY NEVER BUY A FIAT said:
It also appear's I have not been notified of a recall for side airbag's which also potentially dangerous.
Click to expand...

Does it apply to your car? is it within the chassis range affected & have rear side bags?
 
Make's no difference if it's an import or not still built by FIAT still brand new when I brought it, plenty other's with problem's which are not import's.

A friend of mine has a PUNTO with same stalling problem.

I would'nt expect Fiat to contact me about a fix but if I have a problem with my car and I take it in I expect them to look at the option's and if a software update could sort the problem this should of been tried before when I first had problem.

And yes my vehicle is in the vehicle chassis range of those that may have an airbag problem with side airbag's.
 
RICHY NEVER BUY A FIAT said:
(especially after having read all the other negative comment's from STILO owner's with there never ending list of problem's)
Click to expand...
Not quite the best post to start with on this Forum. You'll find most active members here like their Stilos and wont take kindly to being insulted.

Not sure how familiar you are with the site but the Search facility is extremely useful if appropriate keywords are used.

Other than that it sounds like you've picked a bad dealer which IS unfortunately a common problem.

.....and welcome to the Forum :)
 
Welcome Richy never buy a Fiat, In all the faults listed only one intrigues me; 4 broken bonnet levers. Now how does this occur? Was there any heavy handedness?

Pity really cos you sound like you did like the car once.
 
Maybe the old Abarth was better made because I thought the quality was good, the early fuel filler cover hinge excepted. Reliability was good too, nothing more than minor niggles like a software upgrade required to Sat Nav. Sorry to hear of your poor experience.

I personally wouldn't buy a new Stilo again, depreciation was eye watering, the trade hates them and even Fiat admitted they got it wrong and have rushed to replace. Fiat (should) make interesting cars and this was designed to emulate the universally dull VW Golf Mk4. As a 2nd hand buy they represent excellent value. Roll on the new Bravo!
 
I feel a little sad that the stilo is being killed off, to me FIAT almost got it right, but failed.

Richy Never Buy A Fiat, you state wiper problems, I had one where the wipers would move on their own accord. Turned out to be a bad earth on the headlight tripping power to the wipers.

Personally, I might not be buying fiat again, and might go blad for a few years. My mrs summed it up, the stilo is a fantastic looking car, comfatable and rapid for its engine, returns good mpg and suits me, she is pissed with all the niggles on it, and as she reminds me often, nothing has ever broken on the chav rocket (52 plate citroen saxo) she has.
 
To be honest, all of the faults you have listed could be fixed easily within 48 hours. The fact that they haven't been fixed is causing your bad feelings and there really is hardly anything more galling than leaving the car to be fixed and when you pick it up, full of expectation, it's just the same or worse than it went in.

That's dealer- and the blame lies squarely with them and so you move on to someone else. If there is no on else in your area then of course you won't go back to that brand again and it's their loss. Most of the problem is finding someone who can actually diagnose and fix the problem properly. Once you've found that person or persons then you stick to them and have a happy relationship.

Just like any bad relationship, if it doesn't work, you need to move on and look elsewhere
 
thepottleflump said:
.....and even Fiat admitted they got it wrong and have rushed to replace.
Click to expand...
They have :confused:

The cars haven't sold well but I'm not sure that has any bearing on "Fiat getting it wrong". Producers of Betamax videos didn't stop making them because it was a bad product. They stopped making them because few people would buy them. Same for Fiat.

Fiat (should) make interesting cars and this was designed to emulate the universally dull VW Golf Mk4.
Click to expand...
I grant you the Stilo has a certain VW feel to it but can't really see much similarity to the Mk4. In terms of the 5 Door I would say that VW copied the concept exactly with the Golf Plus.

If anything the problem for Fiat was producing a car that was too advanced for many of its dealership to handle (some are OK). Incompetent servicing would invariably make a problem worse and Fiat seemed to have little grasp of the damage this was doing to the cars image.

VW had similar problems but the difference is that they were determined to overcome the negative image of problem cars and had a stronger dealership to start with anyway.
 
RICHY NEVER BUY A FIAT said:
Make's no difference if it's an import or not still built by FIAT still brand new when I brought it, plenty other's with problem's which are not import's.
Click to expand...

Yes it does,warranty limitations.


RICHY NEVER BUY A FIAT said:
I would'nt expect Fiat to contact me about a fix
Click to expand...

Then why say......."which FIAT had'nt bothered to tell me about"

RICHY NEVER BUY A FIAT said:
I have a problem with my car and I take it in I expect them to look at the option's and if a software update could sort the problem this should of been tried before when I first had problem.
Click to expand...

Any idea how many things can cause poor idle/cutting out? The software update was not released until later,well after your car was made.

RICHY NEVER BUY A FIAT said:
And yes my vehicle is in the vehicle chassis range of those that may have an airbag problem with side airbag's.
Click to expand...

So why not tell your dealer this :confused:

So what faults have you got with the car now,at present?

(p.s.we sell loads of stilos with no problems whatsover,even the older models)
 
same with many marques though,
eg was looking at vectras i found this post on a vauxhall site
So this question keeps gettin asked again and again...and altho i havin been a vox techy and knowin the veccy in and out....i have a very negative view on them...poor realability...exspensive repair costs etc..same old repetitive faults ...

but anyways....if u must..and have heart set on it...this thread is a sticky so u can look and find the most common of faults...i will update as i find anymore things come to my dim fading brain...

Ecotec engines....belt and roller failure....head damge...ensure recent change of all cambelt bits. head gasket failure fairly common, warped, cracked exh manifold..and broken studs in head very very common.
on 2.2 chains break..causing mega engine damage..used to not be able to get engine bits..fitted a few lumps..now i believe u can..

diesel engines.....vacum system faults...particularly mass air sensor...and broken/fractured vac piping. fuel leaks....including the classic wont start after parked on hill....injector seals.....

v6's...belt, mega important..and rollers, tensioners...first thing u do is fit new kit...150 quid kit. coolant leaks form oil cooler housing seal...thread love to strip on cooler pipe unions when u strip...very costly...exhaust manifold blowing...norm warped manifold/s expsensive...a pain

veccy gearboxes......lots of failures....particularly difs....bits of dif throo casing ect.

veccy steering racks...and track rods....known for play....and leaking....theres the classic union seals failure..which is cheap for bits...and not too hard to do...but vox charge a bomb...

Veccy suspension....front roll bar links knockin...wear out very quick...rear susp bushes knockin,two on each side rear on hub...after bit of mileage on back... a bugger for your home guy to change....

ext water leaks etc...in boot, rear quarter window seal, rubber grommet adrift for pipe, wiring into bootlid,
misting screen...wont clear...filthy pollen filter....

knockin inside from roof....brace bars rattling..big job to sort..all roof lining down..particularly on estates this.

exhausts...centres boxes..love to rattle...irmscher back boxes check em..very exspensive to replace. and manifolds etc as prev said.

air con..loadsa leaks...on newer 1.8...front pipe to condensor..leaks beneath foil covering...on old 1.8 and 2.0 pipe rubs throo near airbox mount, condensors also etc...on 2.2 shears off at rear!...

interior...cup holders and cig tray fave for breaking...some can repair...
seat creaks sooo common...esp drivers seat...
poor radio reception very common, norm poor connection on wiring at aerial base..
triple/info display fault...very common...not cheap...is a how to to reapir somewhere..lots fo faffin about.
dash bulbs out, milometer bulb...
airbags..god very common light to be on..wheel squibs, seat wiring connections...door sensors...
indicators, high beam stalk...prone for failing..poor responce from using


abs....and light on..
wheel sensors....now and then modulator.
people puttin odd tread tyres..i.e 2mm one side..7mm other...
traction control and light on....it does come on if ya wheel spin it....common complaint...duuur
also sometimes if tyres odd again.

exterior..creaking from rear..adjust bootlid and rubbers
creaking knock fromm doors, adjust catches
front fogs smash easy
door bump strips catch and rip back...
deadlock fails....norm a pin switch...
alarm siren goin off..norm power sounder reserve battery gone..needs new sounder...

brakes....pedal vibration..warped discs....
poor responce on diesel lots of travel ..kinda normal, bizzare but true...
rear wheel cyliners if drums..leak...
rear discs?...pins fall out of calipor causing rattles...interior shoes are often negletcted for handbrake and are worn/dead.
hanbrake cables fray and break.



thats it for now....sounds glum dunt it...truth hurts....

i now work on all manufacturers of cars....the worst out of all cars..the bloomin vectra..i kno wsome have nice examples..i'm just letting u know of the complaints and common faults. between cav and veccy..keep cav.

i hate em.

hope helps anyways....

chris
Click to expand...
 
Ah the good old vectra. For 4 years our fleet of 20 were the mainstay of our field engineers. In excess of a 150% failure rate, very few escaped the ABS light. We worked it out that if we moved the fleet to Audi the cost differential would be offset by the cost of hire vehicles and lost time. We did this in 2004 and the Audi has been almost as bad. The let down is the dealer networks and their incessant approach to employing badly skilled technicians with very little in the way of custmer care.

In 2008 we may move to Honda.
 
Interesting point about the Vectra, a company I worked for selling garage equipment into workshops had a couple and I had a Marea, after every one stopped laughing at the Fiat they realised how good it was compared to the Vectra, - ABS light, gaps in dashboard, washers not working, engine management light, extreme back problems from the seat, rust on A pillar etc One of the reasons I left the company was because they took away the Marea and gave me a Vectra:mad:

Anyway, we know Fiats have problems but expectations with Fiat are lower therefore we are less dissapointed. Feel sorry for Audi owners though, look at the Warrenty Direct website and their review of manufacturers in the reliability index, you guessed it, Audi are in the bottom three!
 
T14086 said:
Techs are trained to same standard as BMW/Ford & Vauxhall.
Click to expand...

Is that a good thing T ?, our experience with Vauxhall was consistently poor.

"we put it on the examiner so the fault shows it could be this or that or than again maybe not"

Too many chancers giving dealers a bad name. Manufacturers should be ripping dealers apart for discrediting their name.
 
Vauxhall are newest to IMI training...you cant expect things to happen overnight! I have been attending training courses for over 10 years & there is alot I still need to know/understand & there always will be.The next generation of training (ATA) is already in place/underway.

Vauxhall dont use examiner,however any diagnostic equipment is only as good as its operator.Fiat choose what courses techs do (examiner is always included) not the dealer or the individual however the individual can request course(s) if he feels he/she will benefit from it.

Manufacturers need dealers & dealers need manufacturers,its a love hate relationship.Manufacturers unfortunally tend to live in a 'unreal' world where the tech has unlimited time/resources to carry out a job,however in the real world this is simply not the case with targets/awkward customers & limited resources.
 
Argonought said:
Not quite the best post to start with on this Forum. You'll find most active members here like their Stilos and wont take kindly to being insulted.

Not sure how familiar you are with the site but the Search facility is extremely useful if appropriate keywords are used.

Other than that it sounds like you've picked a bad dealer which IS unfortunately a common problem.

.....and welcome to the Forum :)
Click to expand...

yes i agree i wish i could be a bit more positive and i don't wish to offend anyone but unfortuanatley this is how i feel after 4 or so years of having this car, and as i said the STILO is a lovely car and drives well when working properly.
 
bozzy said:
Welcome Richy never buy a Fiat, In all the faults listed only one intrigues me; 4 broken bonnet levers. Now how does this occur? Was there any heavy handedness?

Pity really cos you sound like you did like the car once.
Click to expand...

Bonnet levers yes had problem with these early on when i first brought the car had a glove compartment full of them not sure if there might have been a problem with the cable being to slack or what but every time i pulled the handle the bonnet would'nt release the first thing that gave was the handles has been ok since 4th one fitted !

Lets call it a love hate relationship, i love the STILO i hate the problems that have come with it !
 
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