Technical RECALL: Service Solution for Suspension Springs

[Silver Surfer]

Good to know that I am not alone in not hearing about the recall from Fiat. I bought my car second hand and even though I recorded my change of details as usual I still heard nothing from them. I only found out by reading the posts on this site - Good job Fiat Forum in keeping us all informed.

I have had both my springs replaced and the new MOD fitted but to be honest it still sounds a bit lumpy over things like speed humps but it is strange how other cars do not seem to have this problem.

 

[leelee01]

did you get yours replaced foc sliver?

 

[topmark5]

did you get yours replaced foc sliver?

Hi Lee - sorry to hear that your springs have let you down, just think yourself lucky this did not cause any more damage etc, please keep broken spring pieces as may be required by VOSA for futher investigation, you may consider buying two new replacement springs available for approx £28 each and getting a local garage to fit these, will take a good mechanic about an hour - to do both, these replacement spring must surely be better than those Fiat use.

Hope all works out ok for you

 

[leelee01]

So the springs start from about 28.00 each?

I guess i could do that as i'm not to happy about Fiat doing any work on my car re past problems and im guessing from what i am reading on the forum that i will end up forking out to get them replaced.

I think i was very luckly that i wasn't at high speed when this happened and also my 6yr son wasn't in the car.

Lets see what Fiat UK have to say, i'm not hold my breath.

Is there any way that a can contact VOSA?

 

[topmark5]

So the springs start from about 28.00 each?

I guess i could do that as i'm not to happy about Fiat doing any work on my car re past problems and im guessing from what i am reading on the forum that i will end up forking out to get them replaced.

I think i was very luckly that i wasn't at high speed when this happened and also my 6yr son wasn't in the car.

Lets see what Fiat UK have to say, i'm not hold my breath.

Is there any way that a can contact VOSA?

Visit VOSA web site and follow links etc - they are very helpful provided you submit a genuine safety concern, most helpfull people and very respected within the motor industry.

Just an example of spring cost - see site link below

http://www.atozmotorspares.co.uk/STILO-c-3583_15808_15809_15859_15870.html

 

[leelee01]

do you know what links i will be looking for??

Thanks

Lee

 

[topmark5]

do you know what links i will be looking for??

Thanks

Lee

Probably will not need the links but not too expensive - only find out when wheel is removed, so you can purchase after springs changed

 

[leelee01]

Thanks Top,

Do you want links i would need to look for on the vosa website? as i wish to contact them, i have contacted trading standards.

Lee

 

[arti_abarth]

HI!

After reading this thread I've decided to have this recall done now (not to wait for invitation letter). So I called my local dealer, Jordans in Hull, to book myself in. And guess what - they told me that they have no parts to do the recall. They've got a long queue for this recall and the parts are on 'back order'. So they advised me to wait for a phone call.
Now, as far as I know this suspension modification is made becouse of safety issues, so how can they tell someone to just wait??:bang: That is soooo FIAT

 

[Argonought]

So I called my local dealer, Jordans in Hull, to book myself in. And guess what - they told me that they have no parts to do the recall. They've got a long queue for this recall and the parts are on 'back order'. So they advised me to wait for a phone call.

Did you ask what parts they're waiting for - Springs or Mod (bodge)?

.....and what year's your Abarth?

 

[Bombay]

HI!

After reading this thread I've decided to have this recall done now (not to wait for invitation letter). So I called my local dealer, Jordans in Hull, to book myself in. And guess what - they told me that they have no parts to do the recall. They've got a long queue for this recall and the parts are on 'back order'. So they advised me to wait for a phone call.
Now, as far as I know this suspension modification is made becouse of safety issues, so how can they tell someone to just wait??:bang: That is soooo FIAT

This is typical of Fiat. Couldn't organise a **** up in a brewery.:bang:
You are absolutely correct, this is a safety issue which could result in Stilo owners being seriously injured, or even killed. God forbid::worship:
I would advise any Stilo owner whose car is covered by this recall to book it in NOW. Global warming could end the world before everyone gets notification from Fiat:tosser:
In your case or anyone else who is told by their dealer, that they don't have the parts available. I would ask for confirmation of this in writing, to safeguard any future legal claim against Fiat. Resulting in any damage to your car or injury to its occupants in the event of spring failure or tyre damage under the recall.

 

[topmark5]

Thanks Top,

Do you want links i would need to look for on the vosa website? as i wish to contact them, i have contacted trading standards.

Lee

Hi Lee, please contact VOSA below

Also please stick to the facts and express your safety concerns for you and your family while travelling in the car etc, also the very, very poor Fiat spring catcher bodge that hopefully catches the remains of inadequate suspension springs, and your own concerns etc

If you require any other info then please ring or email me if I can help
07788 977997

Best of luck!
Mark

For Further Information Contact: Vehicle Safety Branch, Vehicle and Operator Services Agency, Berkeley House, Croydon Street, Bristol, BS5 ODA. Tel: 0117-9543300 or www.vosa.gov.uk

 

[leelee01]

Thanks Mark,

I am in two minds about have the spring things put on......

When the springs are replaced wether fiat do it or not they will be new springs thus the problem wont exist as Fiat knows that the coils will go because there is a manufactering problem with them, and we all have to suffer............

I'm taking to my mate tomorrow who works in the trade for him to look at the spring that has snaped, still waiting on a response from Fiat.

Lee

 

[arti_abarth]

Did you ask what parts they're waiting for - Springs or Mod (bodge)?

.....and what year's your Abarth?

They are waiting for a mod parts:bang: and my abarth is 2002 with 92k miles on the clock.

And thanks for advice Bombay , I'll go there and ask for confirmation becouse it's serious.

 

[Argonought]

They are waiting for a mod parts:bang: and my abarth is 2002 with 92k miles on the clock.

Then I agree with Bombay. You're in the highest risk category (in fact I'd say you're on borrowed time) and it's simply inexcusable for your dealer to say they're out of stock of the spring catcher.

I'd be inclined to suggest that if they can't fit the mod then they should fit new front springs anyway as a matter of safety (and make the legal position clear to them).

 

[leelee01]

This is what i don't understand with Fiat, They know that the srpings and faulty and sooner or later they will go wether or not they have the spring mod on or not, so why don't they just replace the springs. We are not asking for much just to have a safe car witch at present we don't have

 

[Argonought]

This is what i don't understand with Fiat, They know that the srpings and faulty and sooner or later they will go wether or not they have the spring mod on or not, so why don't they just replace the springs. We are not asking for much just to have a safe car witch at present we don't have

I don't understand this either. The evidence of our little poll suggests only Stilos up to 2003 are affected and yet Fiat are recalling just about every Stilo produced just to fit something which doesn't even solve the problem

They'd do far better to work out exactly which cars are at risk and then fit new springs.

 

[firey1]

Just had new springs fitted FOC by Fiat dealer. I got the recall letter a few weeks back and booked it in to be done only to be told I would have to wait approximatley 3 weeks for the parts to arrive. The other morning whilst taking the kids to school I heard a ping from under the car just as I was about to leave the close where I live. I knew straight away what it was and a quick checked showed that the near side suspension had dropped about 2-3 inches. Things could have been a lot worse as I had been travelling up and down the motorway all week and the day it happened was my first day off. Luckily I was only going about 5 mph and the spring didn't damage the tyre. I was originaly told that their could be a charge for replacing the springs (not the recall work) and to put it mildly I told them that I wasn't happy about that. 2 days later I got a phone call to say it was ready with no charge .

 

[topmark5]

I`m glad you had the springs replaced and the spring catchers fitted FOC but did you ask if dealer could give asssurance that the new springs were of better quality that the oriiginals?

If dealer answers yes - then he is admitting that the originals were faulty and that it was the springs that were at fault and not road salt!

If dealer answers No then do you want to drive around in a vehicle with possible defective springs fitted with a spring catcher device that has failed (see pics on this forum) to locate remaining spring pieces?

Either way on obvious cover up by Fiat !

Kind Regards

 

[leelee01]

Just as the same as the Mk2 Clio, were the bonnet will just come up for no reason and renault claim that there is not fault with the bonnet catch.....