Yes (to the above question). Take the vehicle to another Fiat dealer, or ask the current dealer to contact Fiat Technical Centre, and that you don't want the car returned to you until the fault is fixed. Your car is still under warranty so it should not be an issue for you to worry about! Some dealers are simply not experienced enough to find faults, or the fault is intermittent so the diagnostic check does not show the problem.
I have written about my 1.3 Multijet on 7 May last year, just thought I will give you guys an update. I have now done 35,000 km and this little car is just getting better. Fuel consumption hit the 20km/litre mark and that little diesel engine is still purring like a kitten. At the 30,000km service the only complaint I had was that the rear doors became difficult to open. They adjusted the locks, and all's well again. I do have a problem with tyres (not Fiat's fault) having 3 blowouts in 18 months. The Bridgestones on the car seems to be unable to take the punishment of the potholed roads network in South Africa. Will go back to the trusted Continentals.
Fiat in SA jacked up their service and spares supply and most of us are very happy Fiat owners.
Regards.
I have just picked up my '06 Grande Punto and I love it; it drives really well for a little car with a small engine. I have a 90HP model. It had 24k on when I picked the car up, and I have not heard any noises at all.
What a great little car. I hope to have many miles of fun with this car.
Regards,
Basha Baz.
I have a 56 grande punto bought it brand new had the more common problems drivers door not opening etc. Now the gearbox has gone as I was driving down the road and shifted to 5th the car is now at the dealers who have rung to say that they need an engineer to come n look at it the car is still under warranty but I get the feeling there going to try n make me pay for it. this is certainly the first and LAST fiat I will buy.
I bought my Grande Punto 1.4 8v 2years ago new from a Fiat maindealer in Croatia. I have had only very minor problems so far:
1) The glove-box doesn't shut very well.
2) I too have a creaking noise coming from somewhere at the back on the left, particularly noticeable going over a bump.
3) On odd occasions, all of the warning lights just come on and the speedo and tachometer freeze. Turning the car off and restarting has on the 3 occasions that it happened resolved the problem.
Today my car went in for its 2 year service and guess what? I need a new steering rack. Unfortunately my warranty expired 2 weeks ago, but fortunately the dealership have been understanding and will fix it for free.
So no complaints from me...
All in all, not a bad little car... so far...
Mike.
I own a 1.4 Grande Punto, owned it from new, only done 14000 miles, and its shocking. The car gets nowhere near the published MPG, its underpowered the drivers side door developed a fault, which I see is common, and its going back to the dealer next week because it will not stay in 3rd gear, and you cannot change down to 3rd from 4th or 5th. First and last Fiat for me, should have bought he corsa, uglier than the punto, but reliable!
I bought a Punto GTi new on the 22 of December 2007.
A week after buying it, the window jammed.
2nd fault: dashboard started to come off, and today 06/01/09 I was driving down a hill, changed gear, a strange noise happened, then all of a sudden the car slammed to a halt, slamming me against the steering wheel, and the car behind almost ran into me. Fluid started to run out of the engine, the car could not be pushed, had to pay for it to be towed to the Fiat garage, literally round the corner, because the recovery only covers a year. The ball-bearings in the gearbox had exploded, causing a large hole. Very dangerous. Do not buy a Punto.
I have a new shape Punto 1.2 Dynamic, purchased new on 07 plate. The car has only done 13,000 miles, it is our second car and is only used mainly around town to and from work.
I noticed that the car was reaching normal working temperature, but was not warming the cabin. We took our car into our local FIAT garage, and were amazed to be told the head gasket had gone. I am absolutely amazed how can a brand new car do this; I am waiting for FIAT to ring me back.
I have a 1.9 diesel Grande Punto sporting 130 hp.
2007 12k on clock. It looks great and performance is quality it compares to my Alfa Romeo 147 1.9 JTD which I previously owned from new, BUT faults include steering wheel wobble at 70 mph, noise under acceleration, failure of power steering (fixed under warranty) I note these problems listed by others on this site.
I have had the wheels tracked checked and balanced, but the wheel wobble is a constant irritation.
Fiat Grande Punto 1.4 Sporting - Regd. August 2007.
This is one of a few Grande Puntos we have. It is the only 1.4 Sporting and is my son's car.
It has had a few niggles, but a main problem is that about 3,000 miles ago when it had about 20,000 miles it blew a hole in the gearbox with internal components having exploded, and there was a debate about it getting a new gearbox as it has allegedly been over-revved. The gearbox was reluctantly replaced by Fiat.
Three weeks ago and just over 3,000 miles from fitting, the new gearbox did exactly the same thing and Fiat Technical are digging their heels saying it has been over-revved again.
Surely this should not be happening to the Fiat gearboxes. The internal components should not be so weak or soft to allow them to break. There are several posts on forums with the same problems, and appear to be mainly the 1.4 gearbox.
Interestingly I had an old style 1.2 Punto 2003 and the gearbox did exactly the same by exploding and blowing a hole in the casing. I was main driver at that time, and no way was the car abused.
I would be interested in hearing other's comments or experiences.
Had a 2007 Punto, 24k on clock, 1.2 8v.
No matter what they say, this little engine will go when revved hard. Very happy with it, no knocks or bangs.
Just bought 2009 1.3 Multijet only 4 weeks old. Now knocking on the front suspension; sounds like it's coming from top of the struts. Not happy, the dealer's opened a case with Fiat, waiting to see what they are going to do.
I have a 56 plate G.P. Bought secondhand with 14300 on the clock.
It was a great car for all of 3 months; E.G.R sensor packed up, temporary repair by dealer and 3+ weeks to get another.
Faulty rear door locks - you couldn't open the doors from the outside, try getting the kids out in an emergency! Dealer said this was not an urgent repair (they are a bit daft I reckon), these are now repaired.
Humming noise from the rear since I had it, told by 3 different mechanics they all did that, but another Fiat dealer to let me test drive 2 others, and they were quiet. Mate told me the wheel bearings had gone at the back, told my dealer and they finally agreed that was the problem after 3 visits to them over it (now ripping my hair out over it).
Now have got the dreaded shuddering and shaking at the front, another phone call and I mentioned steering rack - they said bring it in immediately - especially after I said I wanted the Service Manager and Dealers Managing Director to drive the damn car and tell me there is nothing wrong with the way it drives and handles. So far I'm fuming and hopping mad with it all.
Well, It's all pretty good. It's been over 3 yrs of love and friendship now, and the money spent on this car is almost nothing.
There were few initial issues that were solved under warranty, strangely none of the mentioned problems. They had to change brake pads AND DISCS, after about a year. They were bit confused how was it possible that discs were burnt, but replaced them right away anyway.
Beside that, changed pair of headlight bulbs once, cigarette lighter lamp died (still dead, I really don't care for that one), I had to patch one of those awful Bridgestone tires they supplied the car with, and that's it. (got rid of those tires anyway)
One note about servicing it. In my country, service intervals are halved (to 15000 km from 30000 km I think). I do it 'round every 10000 km, so that's one third of regular interval. Okay, so it does cost me a bit more than 'on the paper', but rather that than neglecting it and making even higher expenses for days to come... No?
Regards.
Igor.
My 3 year old Grande Punto Eleganza 1.9 Multijet has just gone out of its warranty by one month. It has 40k miles on the clock and the alternator has gone. Has anyone else had a similar problem, or am I just unlucky?
I have had my Fiat Grande Punto for two years now. It has been back to the garage 8 times. Faults with the electrics - bulbs all blowing at once after two weeks of owning a brand new car? - no explanation forthcoming. "Hill Holder not available" warning flashes up all the time Passenger window switch works intermittently, they have attempted to fix these on numerous occasions, still to no solution. Then the steering went on a busy road - very dangerous. The yaw sensor apparently the fault there. Terrible customer service from Fiat Ireland on the whole. No interest in the fact that the car is patently unsafe.
Now today a letter arrives to inform me that there is a fault with the steering shaft tightening torque, and the car is being recalled for a safety check?
Fiat Grande Puntos are a joke, an absolute disgrace of a car, totally unsafe, shoddy finish on the interior. The biggest waste of money and time. Stay clear if you can!
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