2001 Skoda Fabia Comfort from UK and Ireland - Comments

I have a X reg Fabia 1.4 mpi with 46k on the clock, 3k of these I've done myself and have had various adventures with the warning lights.

The main problem has been the power steering light with stubbornly refuses to stay off and results in heavy (and dangerous) steering. The ECU (the under the bonnet computer) controls these systems and can sometimes be reset by turning the engine on and off (without staring it) several times, but this is only a temporary fix and the problems will occur again.

Ask your garage to check the codes data in the computer, if there are a large number of codes stored here you too are experiencing this problem - which I believe is called a brainstorm (but could be wrong)

The “simple” answer to the problem is the computer management system has to be replaced and re-coded to fit the key - which is a rather expensive job. My cheapest quite has been £600+ and will require various codes/programming and witch doctor incantations (I’d just let my local garage sort it out!).

I’ve been warned that any recoding or “re-mapping” of the original unit is simply a bodge job and should be avoided. Also I have been told not to attempt to "repair" this box of tricks or get a second hand unit as the fault appears to be built into the circuits.

I suggest for the technically minded (ie not me) the discussion page http://www.ilexa.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,7121.0.html for further reading on the subject.

Hope this helps

A.

Iv'e had a skoda fabia 1.4 now for over 1 year"k reg"not had any problems, until warranty run out. now I have a leaking radiator and am having to top it up every few days. just wanted to know if anybody has experienced the same problem and how much it cost to resolve.

I have just bought a skoda fabia 1.4 16v y reg second hand last week having problems with lights flashing plus airbag warning light stays on can anyone please help.

Go on Briskoda website & ask on Fabia forum. They're very helpful.

Skoda Fabia Comfort 1.4 - 2002- 26,000 miles on the clock.

Bought the car just 6 months ago, very low mileage. Again, creaky dashboard (what is all that about??), and the blinking cylinder head had to be changed and the fan belt (€270). Hub cap fell off and window wipers sound like a banshee.

Has anyone got some advice about the creaking dashboard? Also, is it normal for 2 cylinders to misfire at such a low mileage? Any advice or comments welcome - thank you!!

We have a 4 year old Skoda Fabia 1.4 16V.

We kept getting the engine management light coming on and then after about 3 starts it would go out again.

The car has always been sluggish to accelerate from stop, but once going was fine.

We managed to get the car into the dealer with the light still on and the computer gave an error. An error that had NO fix. Searching through their electronic information gave no fix, but one of the mechanics remembered the error code from a written bulletin update they received last year and the fix was new software.

The dealer loaded the new software free of charge (as the problem should have been fixed at the last service) and the car now drives correctly and no longer gives warning lights.

If your Fabia gives warning lights ask if there is new software for it.

Skoda Fabia 1.2 comfort 03 reg.

Had wiring loom replaced in June06, now is running very badly. Kicking, unless the engine warning light comes on - then runs smoothly, if with marginally less power.

Anyone got ideas? When last in the Skoda garage they flushed the injectors which worked for ten days! Any way of finding out if this is an ECU or Wiring or sensor fault?

I don't feel safe driving the car unless the warning light is on!

Fabia Elegance 1.4 16V on X plate.

Bought from Skoda dealer as approved used car and in the year's warranty we have had:

Leaking radiator replaced

Engine management sensor replaced (warning light on)

Brake pedal sensor replaced (warning light on)

Power steering sensor replaced (warning light on). This didn't solve the problem, however so a new steering rack was fitted.

New battery

Suspension bushes replaced (which had ruined a new pair of front tyres in 3000 miles.)

Another power steering sensor replaced.

Another steering rack is to be fitted next week.

Leaking rear doors.

Creaky dashboard.

Interior light keeps falling out.

Petrol leak from failed seal around sender unit.

Yet when it is working the car is a delight to drive. Would I recommend one, NOT LIKELY!!!

I bought a Fabia with the flickering lights problem. A new alternator didn't fix it (£75 for that wild guess from the dealer, quoted an unbelievable £485 to replace, my local garage did it for £175). But a new battery did, I got the Super-heavy duty ceramic one and that fixed it permanently. So it looks like the charging circuit is not well designed.

No other moans.

I am a second owner of Fabia Comfort 1.4 and I have driven with it 80000km and

- I have replaced steering rack two times

- water and oil sensors failures

- constant coolant leakage

- steering sensor failures

- Creaky dashboard

- ignition system failure (little bit helped when software update was made)

- Several sundry suspension failures, including a failed front replacement shock absorber

- I have seen all the error lights. (right now ABS light, power steering lights are burning) grrrrr..

I can't recommend it to anyone.

I bought a Fabia 1.4 16v Elegance a year ago, I was aware of the warning light problems and the creaky dashboard (if never stops creaking... no matter what you try), but I had a strange problem where the lights dimmed and flickered, when driving at night this was particuarly worrying, after much searching I found out it was something called a 'Turn Angle Sensor' a part costing a few pounds once fitted, it was fine.

Now I have a problem with warning lights, its the 'Engine Management' light, I'm putting it into a garage as advised by websites such as these, hopefully it won't cost me too much?

Apart from that, the car is solid and lovely to drive, if a little sluggish from start.

Recommended car, but be aware of its common faults this may save you lots of money with main dealers.

I just bought a W reg 1.4 16V Fabia Elegance with 67,000 miles in it. The first problem is the Engine Management light and the idling is erratic. I cleaned the air filter housing and replaced the air filter, but noticed the throttle is very dirty. Brought to a Skoda dealer and replaced the EGR at the same time they cleaned the throttle. The problem was corrected so far.

The next problem is the oil leakage in the gearbox and some rattling/noise on the suspension/transmission when it is running.

But still a very nice little car so far.

My wife and I run two Fabia 1.9Tdi elegance, Y hatch & 02 estate, 50k & 70k respectively.

I would say all of the reported faults and niggles are very well known by the dealers and Skoda UK, but they persistently live in denial. I personally have a letter and have seen copies of letters from Skoda UK flatly denying problems like faulty steering sensor £100 / electrohydraulic unit £600 failures and anti-roll bar £160 failure, the designs of which have been changed in the life of our cars.

Lots of common niggly electrical problems and of course the rattle from the dash ( fixed by a wege inside the dash )spoil this otherwise good car.

The long term reliability has to be suspect and the Skoda honeymoon by the car pundits surely has to come home to roost.

As others have said they are great cars let down by common faults made worse by the lack of customer care of the dealers and the company.

We've got one of the brand spanking new fabias and the engine management light has come on after 4500miles and the steering wheel creaks. Looks like a trip to our friendly skoda dealership at lest its under warranty.

Fabia 1.9 tdi 2001,owned by us from new, full service history, 96000 on the clock.

A smashing little car let down by poor quality electrical components. Two power steering sensors, 2 wheel bearings, suspension bushes replaced, 2 sets of discs, now needs new power steering pump at £650 and the ABS light has just come on. We also have the leaky rear doors.

In the past we have forgiven it its faults because it really has been a little belter, but, if the ABS fault is going to cost an arm and a leg to fix, perhaps it's time to call it a day.

Sorry, I can't recommend the Fabia as a used buy, far too many expensive faults for my liking.

I really have not had such an expensive car to fix and maintain in 35 years of car ownership and let's face it, it's hardly top end luxury, is it?