2003 Fiat Stilo Dynamic review from UK and Ireland

I purchased this car on 28th March 2003.

29th March, rear passenger door deadbolt engaged in the locked position (door could not be opened).

30th March, One of the remote control units failed.

31ST March, Returned car to the dealership who were unable to repair door

(Did not stock door locks)

Ist April, Following contact from motor vehicle registration authority I discovered that the dealership had placed incorrect number plates on the car.

2nd April, the dealership damaged door panel as they attempted to unlock the door. Advised me that would have a replacement panel by 4th April.

10th April, My son received a nasty cut to his hand when he placed it into the "glove pocket" on the back of the drivers seat. (Matter reported to Fiat Auto Ireland, Their incident reference number 2326499). It transpired that a part inside the rear of the seat had been incorrectly assembled which resulted in a sharp cable tie turning and pushing through the back of the seat and into the "glove pocket"

10th April, Discovered Mark in paintwork on roof of car.

10th April, Discovered that drivers door mirror was very badly scratched.

10th April, Discovered that weather protection material under drivers side rear wheel arch was incorrectly fitted and allowing water to penetrate to the bodywork.

10th April, Discovered one of the compartments in the boot area was poorly fitted and falling away into the boot.

10th April, Boot not closing properly (jumping back)

10th April, Discovered that battery compartment of previously mentioned remote control unit was broken.

11th April, Returned car to the dealership who replaced door panel and repaired seat, roof, weather protector, boot lock / compartment remote control along with fitting a new mirror.

12th April, I discovered that the dealership had fitted an incorrect door panel. Reported matter to dealership who said they would phone me on 14th April.

At 16.00 on 14th I had to phone them again they said they would call back. On 17th April I had to call them as they had failed to contact me.

25th April, Computer giving loose connection and displaying "spanner symbol"

28th April, Returned car to dealership who fitted a damaged door panel (Some type of adhesive on material, Dealership unable to remove same).

29th April, Car began pulling to the left.

30th April, Computer displaying loose connection warning again.

30th April, Discovered paint over spray onto side window felt liners.

Paint run on sill below drivers door.

12th April, Returned car to dealership who tracked steering, could do nothing about paint problems and were unable to solve warning issue due to the fact that Fiat technical department were unable to explain the warning to them.

Also discovered that Fiat had set the roof rack centres at 33.5" while most roof boxes require centres of approximately 27.5". I had to trawl over fifty car dealers, motor factors, hardware and camping outlets before I found the only outlet in Ireland who stocked a roof box suitable for the Fiat Stilo. The box has to be very big and consequently carries a high price €450.

If Fiat had thought this one through I could have purchased a much less expensive box or used the one I had fitted to my previous car a 2000 Fiat Punto. Fiat advised me that although they manufactured roof boxes for many makes of vehicle they did not do so for their own car.

Myself and my family are distraught, this was supposed to be our dream car.

We even paid extra to have metallic paint, parking sensors and an alarm fitted.

Since day one we have had nothing, but trouble with this Stilo Dynamic. We have been denied that "we have just bought a new car" feeling that every new owner is entitled to. We wonder how it got past Fiat`s quality control inspection, believe it is a "lemon" and have absolutely no faith in its future dependability.

We have insisted that Fiat replace the car with a new one. They say they have asked, but that the dealership have refused to give us a new car. They insist that they are prepared to offer us a new car provided that Fiat take ours back as they themselves feel that it is a "monday morning" car which they would not be prepared to sell to another of their customers.

We feel that both Fiat and the dealership have failed to live up to their promise to us (see Fiat`s website assurances regarding the quality and safety of their vehicles along with their statement that all vehicles go through three separate quality inspections prior to being allowed to leave their factory) What happened to ours we wonder.