Technical Check Steering Error - software fix - charge even though in warranty?

[Fiat500Lou]

Hi

Hoping someone can help/advise, our first experience with Fiat (first Fiat, first problem)...

Fiat 500, we have had it about 1yr, just under 3 yrs old. In for an MOT, we asked them to look at a "check steering error" despite steering being fine.

They say it's a system error, an upgrade will sort it, not covered under warranty, £80 to sort it! How can a system error not be under warranty and why would it cost £80 to plug in a computer to fix it.

What do you think? Is this normal/fair? Reading through the T&Cs I can not see that software upgrades,systems errors are excluded from the 2+1 year warranty.

Is this worth fighting for to get it done for free, or can someone else help.

Not a good start with Fiat, but maybe I am in the wrong?

 

[Fiat500Lou]

Forgot to mention, my initial thoughts is it could be the battery (car doing very short runs, and failed to start one morning), but they didn't mention it.

 

[bgunn]

Contact FIAT Customer Services and raise a case..

 

[Fiat500Lou]

Contact FIAT Customer Services and raise a case..

I don't mind doing that, but is it worth while, i.e. am I in the right to raise it, may try it.

 

[ahmett]

I don't mind doing that, but is it worth while, i.e. am I in the right to raise it, may try it.

Its definately worth at leadt a phone call.

 

[bgunn]

I don't mind doing that, but is it worth while, i.e. am I in the right to raise it, may try it.

Completely within your rights..

 

[RobinPJ]

Not a good response from the dealer. Did you buy it from that dealer, and does it have a full Fiat main dealer service history? Even worse if so.

 

[frupi]

If the car is just under 3 years old, it's not going to be covered by the standard warranty anyway as that finishes at the two year point? If you have bought the 3rd year warranty for 27 quid, will that cover it? Judging by what other forum members have said about the 3rd year warranty, doubtful.

To put things in perspective, when I was looking to get our own 500 into a dealer for its first year service, I was effectively told that hooking the car up to diagnostics cost £60. One dealer tried to argue that the car would be hooked up as part of the service cost and was 'free' but dealer two at my insistence, did not hook the car up to diagnostics and the difference in price between dealer one and dealer two was almost half price. When I enquired with dealer one how much it was to hook the car up to diagnostics outside of a service, they told me it would be £60.

If the steering software update is part of a VOSA critical recall update, it should be done for free, otherwise you're stuck with paying I think.

 

[306maxi]

I doubt there was a software fix anyway, I suspect it'll be the battery that caused the issue.

 

[Fiat500Lou]

I think the warranty is 3 years, but the 3rd year has some exclusions, but I can not see it excludes steering and/ or software errors.

It was bought from the same dealer I year ago, it was serviced recent by Nationwide, no parts replaced.

I thought it could be battery but she definitely said software fix, and some searching for the same issue reveals a software issue, having said that I think the battery may be to blame.

Ironically we had a message from the dealer asking us for feedback, so I am going to talk to them about it. Not paying 80 to have a pc plugged in.

 

[frupi]

To be fair, £80 is over the top for a diagnostic hook up, but I guess it depends on the dealer and how much money they claw back from the customer to cover the annual subscription they have to pay. Like I say, Fiat dealers in my area, the going rate appears to be around the 60 quid mark.

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

£60 +vat, so £80 isn't far off. All dealers can set their own prices.

 

[Fiat500Lou]

ok. Thanks for the input

 

[frupi]

£60 +vat, so £80 isn't far off. All dealers can set their own prices.

I should have been more clear. Last year, I was quoted £60 inclusive of vat. But yes, I guess you're right, they can set their own prices.

 

[Fiat500Lou]

the thing is the steering is fine. Maybe we should forget about it, or consider trying a new battery.

 

[306maxi]

Does the car crank over really easily?

 

[Fiat500Lou]

yes, but I have noticed once or twice it lacks a bit of spark when turning the key (feels ever so slightly sluggish). A few months ago my wife had a knee op and it wasn't driven for months, add to this a cold winter and it failed to start on one occasion.

Having said that the error message has been intermittent before, during and after that time

 

[RobW]

charge or change the battery!

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

:yeahthat:

 

[jrkitching]

I doubt there was a software fix anyway, I suspect it'll be the battery that caused the issue.

I'd agree completely that this problem is down to the battery weakening as it ages. The 'software fix' most likely just extends the acceptable limits for the battery voltage before the warning light comes on.

IMO the £80 would be far better spent just changing the battery. All that any software fix will do is to put that day off by a few months at most.

Please don't get me started on whether it's reasonable for car manufacturers to charge for software updates.