General 1.6 Multijet Punto Sporting Faults?

[anthonyjgoodwin]

Hi all

I have a Grande Punto 1.6 multijet Sporting on a 59 plate. It went into a fiat main dealer last month to have the top mounts replaced under warranty, there was a design fault on previous ones apparently! These were changed along with one spring, the other wasn't replaced under warranty as it hadn't cracked. Two days after getting car back there was a bang and scrapping noise, the other spring failed! This was then fixed under the warranty.

Since having this work done the car now if you place steering wheel in the dead straight position it throws you to the left! The steering is also super heavy, this is even when using the city button. The garage has done the balance, tracking and alignment which has not rectified the problem.

I have now been informed that the electric steering shaft needs replacing, they tried to put it through the warranty and they have said its not covered! So i am now faced with a huge £700 + bill to replace this part! Does anyone else know about this problem? Is it a common fault? I have read about a power steering fault but not sure its the same as the problem i am having as i haven't had any lights come up on my dashboard!

Any help would be appreciated

 

[jameshobiecat]

So the car is still under warranty but a major component like the power steering isn't covered? More evidence that the fiat warranty really isn't worth the paper it is written on!

Have a good search on this forum, problems similar to yours have come up a lot and there is loads of advice. Also be aware that there are companies out there who can fit a refurbished steering column for around £300 but I think one or two members on here may have had issues with them.