2006 Fiat Grande Punto from UK and Ireland - Comments

Front Bumper mis aligned.

My head lights flash up front vehicles, when I use my indicator.

Hooter and air bag was not working.

Internal roof lining coming away, and fraying.

Boot Liner coming away.

Bad electrical fault - TWICE. All electrics stopped working after car got wet, indicated by warning lights flashing across my dashboard!

Roof Lining water stained where water getting in.

I am very disappointed with my Fiat Grande. After having a Punto Sporting from new, and trading it in after two and half years for the Grande, having suffered no problems at all, I am so sad to discover all the above problems with my new Fiat.

I am awaiting today to hear Fiat's comments after telephoning them, and also from the dealership from which I purchased.

Strange, my 1.3 Diesel Grande Punto doesn't have any of these problems. To my knowledge these cars have a central processing unit that manages all these electrical devices. That's why when it's broken everything will work improperly. My mechanics warned me about not to have the engine washed in order to keep that unit safe, so I think when you had the engine washed and that unit is effected. It's nothing to do with the durability of this car. In fact all cars need special attention to these electronic stuff. Next time make sure you keep the "brain" dry.

The misalignment is also strange because the front bumper is a minimalist design as it can be and the junction points are nearly seamless. Was that misaligned when you purchased it? and if so why didn't you notice during the purchase? You're buying a car man, you should check everything during delivery and if something is wrong don't accept it.

The roof liner is a form of plastic which is sensitive to polish and all plastics in all cars are sensitive not Grande Punto. I'm afraid to ask, but did you have the car polished or did you have a chemical applied to it? and the same question arise: was that like that when you first buy it?

Well my friend, frankly I don't think you know how to take care of this baby. If you spray water on the central unit, every electronic device in the car will fail, if you apply polish on plastic it will stain.

That's what I think, LOL:)

I would give it time, it may get better, I hope for you anyway.

Reject the vehicle asap. The vehicle has fundamental flaws, it is unacceptable for the airbag not to function, whereas water leaks should not be expected on a new vehicle. I simply hope that Fiat offers proper customer service. In the meantime, make sure you keep a comprehensive folder with all the faults of the vehicle and send a letter to WhatCar? magazine, you will be surprised to see how effective they are when dealers mistreat customers. I am a Fiat owner myself (Grande Punto Multijet Sporting) and the car has been fine, in typical Fiat fashion; the odd squeak here and there, but nothing much. I see it as a characteristic of the car. Whereas a VW has damped grab-handles and Toyota looks like a fridge, Fiat oozes character, drives superbly, is considerably cheaper than any other supermini currently on sale and yes, it's a bloody joy to drive!!!

Was wondering why you got the engine washed on a new car?

Really, I know that first units sometimes have small problems, but I wonder for instance have you crashed to check if your airbag's worked!

I really hope you don't have Fiat new baby on your hands, and you are just playing with potential buyers and owners 'cause if you do, I must give good luck for the car instead of the owner!

I'm an owner of Grande Punto, and I don't report those problems you do, and I truly know the real problems the first units of the Grande Punto had, that are already being taking care of by FIAT.

I am the sad owner of a Grande Punto 1200. It left the manufacturers' with a steering rack that needed replacing and other faults. I waited patiently for 8weeks for the replacement and since then things have gone from bad to worse!

I was last advised that it was my fault for choosing the wrong car. I did test drive the car, but on the flat roads where I was instructed to drive by the salesman. My car won't go up my local hill unless I drop down to 2nd and if I have a passenger - 1st gear. All the old bangers are impatiently queueing up behind me and would overtake if the road allowed!

It was suggested that Fiat have made the car body too heavy for the 1200 engine.

Since the new rack was installed the car pulled to the kerb

and I have discovered today that the inside of front tyre is Bald! I have only done 4000 miles.

I have previously loved my Fiats. I now embark on a stressful legal process.

This goes to the user who posted the previous comment:

It is true that the 1.2 liter is not that powerful, but I think that the mistake is yours.

You should have chosen another engine for your car.

I plan to buy a Grande Punto, so I don't speak from experience, rather from what I have read on the Internet.

The 1.3 Multijet from Fiat is probably the best engine to have on any car that has less than 100 hp.

Their 1.9 Multijet and the 1.4 petrol bi-turbo with 120 hp are apparently also very good choices.

In fact the engines are one of the strongest arguments FOR buying a Fiat. Of course don't buy a 1.2 if you know you have to climb hills every day.

Had my new Grande Punto (1.4 8v dynamic sport) this September. When I drove off from a local fiat dealer I noticed the next day that there was a fine crack on my dash (where passenger side airbag is). went back in to the dealer after following weekend. they took some pictures and after a week or so the dash got replaced (with approval from Fiat). Was very please initially, but the very next day I noticed there where some dents on the dash. Took it back to the dealers again got the pictures taken. after few days I was told by the dealer that fiat says the dent on my dash was an acceptable fault... i was absolutely disgusted. later on the dealer agreed to put my dash right at their own expense (to keep their customer happy.. so they say).

I wonder if there are any more fiat grande owner who had similar experience with dash.

9 months and 13,000 miles of trouble free, economical, reliable fun motoring in my 1.9 Grande Punto Sporting.

Go get one you know you want one! :-)

I purchased a 2006 1.2 grande punto 2 months ago. Since then it has been back to the dealership for new rear door locks and a new steering coloumn. The latter was fitted three weeks ago, after waiting 5 weeks for a part. Now after less than 100 miles the new one started playing up. Back to the dealer and its too dangerous to drive. So another 5 week wait for a new one. Oh yes, that's 5 weeks without a courtesy car again and the car is still covered by manufacturers warranty. Customer service is non-existent from Fiat (I'm afraid).

Fiat punto grande 1.2.

Bought my car march last yr brand new, had a pond in back foot well Feb of this yr, took it back to get it sorted was given a replacement car while mine was getting fixed, wasnt given any explanation 2 what was causing problem, they dried carpet which is all bumped up now. they took caps off seatbelt holders which they didn't replace, now have a pond in front foot well as well as back. not a happy chappy. car is going back next wk to get fixed yet again. had a punto previous to this 1 had no problems at all. where have they gone wrong!!!

I had a brand new 1.2 active grande punto. On day 2 it started stalling, on day 3 it broke down completely and all the warning lights flashed up. The speedometer also kept dropping to zero whilst driving at 40. I sent it back to the dealers saying I wanted my money back or a replacement. They were of course not happy but have agreed. I am getting a courtesy car today. So will let you know when I get the new one.

Have just read one persons comments re grande punto 2006 1.2.strangley my car has had exactly same faults. rear lock failer first then steering problems. steering will go to full lock nearside whilst stationary. had a mk1 punto for 5 years no problems in 60000 miles. come on fiat whats gone wrong?

My friend has a 2006 3 door Grande Active and hit a tree up front and airbags didn't go off! Police report says that they should have!

I'm not happy as I want to buy one, so much for the 5 star euro ncap rating.!

Thank god my friend's alright!

Just... total write off though... loved it too!

Let me know if anyone has suffered the same!

I purchased a 2 year old 1.9 JTD Sporting, 14000 miles. Absolutely love it, although the economy is not as good as my old 1.9JTD Punto. (Must be the weight)

Last week during a downpour I lost the dash. I mean entirely. No speedo, no revs, no lights, no radio except for 8 warning lights on the dashboard; Check engine, Airbag failure, ABS failure etc. Very pretty, but very worrying.

I called the garage, and of course whilst on the phone I turned the key again and it fixed itself. Worked fine for 2 days and then I went away for a week. First day back, 'Check Engine' light comes on and won't go away.

It's booked in for end of this week. I'm hoping it's something they can trace, but expecting the ECU to be replaced. As the car is less than 3 years old, I'm not expecting or prepared to pay anything.

I do think the paint is a bit thin and chips easily, especially on the bonnet.

Apart from this, it's great. Quick, cruises easily, just stick it in 6th gear and forget about it.

And it's red. ;-)