1997 Fiat Brava SX from UK and Ireland - Comments

Power-steering rack spewed oil from one end, replaced at 10 months old.

Stereo unit began playing cassettes at high speed, sounded like 'pinky & perky', replaced at 11 months old. Radio reception is now dreadful & tapes tend to get stuck.

Front offside window stuck open, trim was replaced at 11 months.

Sunroof sounding like a demented budgie when closed, caused by pop-up wind deflector rubbing against glass panel, no cure found yet.

Drivers seat sounding like a demented mouse, seat height adjuster mechanism seems likely cause, comes and goes much like the sunroof noise!

Brake warning light flashing, then on all the time. Fluid level sender replaced to fix at 18 months.

Clutch slave cylinder leaked away all the fluid (combined with brake reservoir!!) and was replaced at 24 months.

Fuel gauge began to dive for the red, finally packed up with the low fuel light on permanently, sender unit replaced at 28 months.

Both rear gas shocks were leaking oil, failed MOT, replaced at 48 months.

Exhaust has sheared off mid point, total replacement the only option as it's a one-piece system. £170 at 50 months.

Rear wiper developing a problem, chattering contacts when off, reluctant to operate and getting worse, any bright idea's?

My previous Fiat was a Punto 55s, nothing went wrong whatsoever in 9 months of ownership, nor the following 3 years with the next owner.

This is a stark contrast to my Brava which seems to be thrown together using sub-standard parts that last just long enough to see out the miserly warranty (or not quite in some cases) and spoil a perfectly nice stylish car.

Fiat dealers are thin on the ground, good ones are rare as rocking horse droppings, haven't found one yet in 3 years! Found a really dreadful one though, the manager does not want to know if you did not buy it from them, and the service is so poor that I never intend to return, despite my cars apparent homing instinct!

I too have have had loads of problems with my Fiat Brava. My 1999 model has just had a complete new exhaust system, just today my clutch has completely packed in and so I cannot even drive my car to the garage to get it repaired! In the last month I will have paid out more than £650 for a car that's not even 5 years old! I know not to let the petrol go less than 1/4 tank or it will start cutting out! I can never wash my back windscreen as this has never worked! I listen to cassette tapes as they do not eject unless you have a spare hour or so pressing the eject button. Two friends of mine both have 1999 fiat bravas and both have had to get new engines in the last few months! Wonder how long mines will last! Looks like I'm desperate for a new car, no, not a fiat...

I also have a Fiat Brava 1.4 SX (R-Reg). After owning a Punto 55SX for four years with no problems whatsoever, I was more than willing to try a slighter bigger car pending the arrival of our new baby. Hmmm... since then, had nothing, but the wife nagging at me to look for another Punto. Same problem as others mention. Sounds like a tank and exhaust rattling despite new exhaust fitted only 6 months ago. Keeps stalling like the revs are not high enough to keep the car running. New cam shaft fitted three months ago. (£400 When I drive for more than 4 miles, I have to leave the car for at least 20-30 minutes before it will even start. I have a contact banging sound from the wheel every time I go over a bump which I have had checked out, but nothing found to be wrong!!. The internal sunroof cover won't shut as it's come of its runner, tapes will only eject via the helpful assistance of a screwdriver, rear windscreen wiper works only when it want's to... main problem is with the engine cutting out/not starting after short journeys... also (started last week) I am really struggling to get any sort of power. Seems like the acceleration doesn't increase any where like it's supposed to. If anyone has any advice/solutions to these problems, I would be most grateful to hear from you. Not sure if this site will allow my email address to be advertised, but if so, you can get me at walnsam@hotmail.com Many thanks.

I have a 1997 B r a v a 16v 1.4. I have owned the car for 16 months, first it was the starter motor (120), clutch (160) All Brakes, battery and exhaust. The radio only plays out of 1 channel unless going over a bump which then deafens you. The engine has a rattle I don't even want to entertain that, also the passenger door whistles. (ref: radio volume!) The rear window wiper works, but does not wash.

I go through tyre's as though I'm driving a tank and petrol as though I'm driving a Porsche, unfortunately I don't get the performance.

I like the shape and the comfort, but I'm not too keen on the build quality. If it wasn't for the fact that it breaks down like a rich tea biscuit in your brew on every journey, I would have said it was a nice run-about car.

Cost £2500 5 years old

Maintenance £500 (16 months)

Personal rating 6/10.

I have a Fiat Brava 1600SX S reg. Had it for 5 years, and the engine been rattling for 3 years. The rattle comes from cam belt area. It's done it ever since I had a new belt.

Sun roof packed in, so now I get a loud whistling noise at speed.

Passengers window opens sometimes, and only very slow.

Drivers door rattles, and it's dropped slightly.

The car's only done 69000 miles and it's falling apart. It's my first Fiat and my last.

Also when it's been stood for 2 weeks when I go on holiday, it feels like it's only running on 3 pots for the first 20 miles, then it's OK, but I have used it every day for 5 years and it,s been reliable, but I think I will avoid Fiats when I get another car..