2001 Skoda Fabia Comfort from UK and Ireland - Comments

I have a 2001 Skoda Fabia Comfort 1.9 TDi which I bought with 20k miles on it in 2004.

The dash started to rattle at about 30k miles.

At 60,000 miles the Alternator failed (and I was told that was probably the reason the power steering failed intermittently)

Now - at 65000 miles:

The dash still rattles,

The power steering has failed completely - I've been told I need a new pump and a new steering angle sensor.

The 'front console bushes' (whatever they are) are worn,

The rear bump stops (whatever they are too) are worn

and the temperature sensor is faulty.

Time to get rid of it.

And I won't replace it with a Skoda. The car was comparatively cheap to buy, but the maintenance costs, together with (what I consider to be) the early failure of parts makes it an unattractive proposition.

Hi All, my problem is with my Skoda Fabia 1.2. For months the Engine Management Light has been on and I've been told by various mechanics that I needed a a new catalytic convertor, running a systems check returns a reading that the error is with a bank 1 sensor. Last week a mechanic told me all I needed was to get a Lambda sensor changed. I had this done and two days later the Engine Management "Light has come back on! It is getting increasingly frustrating as a I've been told a new catalytic convertor will set me back about 800€ before labour charges. Does anyone reading this have any idea if there is anything else that could be causing this problem that would be remedied in a less expensive way? All suggestions welcomed. Thanks you."

Probably an intermittent coil pack. The garage could swap the coil packs around and see if the error moves to a different bank. A new coil pack costs about £30 and those made before 2003 are prone to failure and VAG replaced many under goodwill.

Having read the previous accounts of Fabia problems, I thought I would add my own tale. Two years ago, my wife inherited a 2001 1.4 Comfort Auto from her father, who had owned it from new and faithfully followed the service schedule. It was fine for about a year - an excellent car even - then the problems started. The "engine" and ECP lights came on - intermittently at first, then constantly, accompanied by frequent stalling.. Skoda dealer charged me £200 to clean out the inlet manifold, saying that the air flow sensor was contaminated with oil, "possible evidence of piston ring wear" - this on a car that had only done 30K miles. this cured the problem for about 2 months - so I decided to try and live with it. I have had the right/left electric window problem, and recently the power steering has failed - the lights on all the time and heavy steering at low speed.

Never before have I driven a car where the dash lights up like a Christmas tree all the time telling me what's wrong with it!

I will take it to the dealer soon, but fear that they will want £1000 or thereabouts for a new power steering pump etc. at which time my association with Skoda will be at an end and the car in the scrappy.

Hi. I have a W reg Skoda Fabia 16v Comfort on 42000 miles. Have had piston rings changed, window switch trouble and repeated engine management warning lights.

However the big problem for me is that the engine revs dip unaccountably as I'm driving along. I can't find any common links between occurrences. I can be anywhere - fast on motorways, pulling out of roundabouts, going steadily along a lane or up a hill - and the engine loses 1500 revs for a couple of seconds then recovers itself. Skoda UK can't help, nor can 2 main dealers or my local garage. Anyone had this problem and know what it might be?

Hi there, I am Dan and I put a little comment in ages ago on my Skoda Fabia if you read past comments about my engine management.

Yes my anti roll bar went too haha. Well I have had that sorted and apparently that is a very common fault with these, and only up until the past 6 months have they re-designed and done something to the anti roll bar which is now stronger (we'll see).

The engine management has come back on and I'm just living with it. Doesn't seem to affect the car in the slightest. Although I have been told it is some kind of circuit.

But if you have the anti roll bar problem, get it changed ASAP as it killed both of my 2 NEW front tyres in a month, and it turned the car into what feels like a sailing boat when driving. However after all these faults, don't be put off them because they have a lot of good sides too..

Cheers.

Dan.

I have a Fabia ambiante 64bhp, its on an 06 plate and has done 14,000 miles and has just broken down, diagnosed as a coil pack!!!

I bought a Fabia 1.4 8v Comfort back in Feb 2008.

Steering angle sensor off ebay £55 sorted all problems with lights flickering and loss of power steering. I was quoted £800 for new steering pump, but this wasn't even the problem.

Leaking radiator and temperature warning light sorted by fitting a new radiator fan switch.

Also had to fit new wishbones and bushes to eliminate creaking under braking.

I did this all myself for under £200, just remove the battery terminals if changing any sensors or switches, as this will wipe the fault codes in the system.

Just don't take to a SKODA dealership, as they are no help at all and will rip you off big time.

I bought my 2000 X plate 1.4 Fabia, and within a week there was flickering headlights and a strange buzzing noise from the engine bay which accompanied the flickering. I also had occasional moments of "Where has the power steering gone?" particularly at slow speed along with a warning light which only illuminated a minute or two AFTER the steering went. I thought that was a nice touch.

I have had an engine management light also and I thought I should take it to an auto electrician. After £25 which is a bargain reading some of the other comments the garage guy informed me "...this is a common fault with the Fabia. The lights flicker and the steering goes" He then informed me there was nothing he could do other than offer me a free check next time the warning lights came on (he had reset the lot).

Not having the need to go out in the Fabia after dark (I have another car for that) the dark nights made me re-think what the garage guy said. So I looked online, and the general consensus for the flickering lights and power steering will be that I go and source a Steering Angle Sensor for the Fabia. I hope this works, although even if it does - for how long. I noticed someone had one fitted for £120.

I have the same problem as above with my Skoda Fabia 1.4 MPI. The revs dip randomly, occasionally resulting in stalling. I've tried replacing temp sensor as was told that was the problem, but it hasn't fixed it. The engine management light comes on sometimes, but will then disappear of its own accord. Really not sure what is causing the problem. Any ideas?

I have a Skoda 1.4 Elegance W reg 100Bhp. I have all the problems like the rest of you guys. I drive on the motorway and the revs suddenly drop to zero and instantly recover to normal. Every couple of days the EPC light comes on and on occasions the car will not take any acceleration and if you as much as touch the gas pedal it stalls. This goes after 10 min or so. I also experience the light flickering and the buzzing noise. Help!!!

Phew!!! I'm not on my own...

I have a Dark Green 1.4 Skoda Comfort and it is costing me an absolute bomb!!! I have already had to spend easy over £1500 on 3 MOTS for it! I understand that it is a W reg but my partner has never had such trouble with his older cars...

Just come home from wor,k and nearly had a crash as my lights were flickering and someone thought I was flashing them out! Not good! Thanks to you guys, I know to ask about the sensor thing, but yet it's going to cost me more when it has just been in for its MOT!

Also had trouble with power steering and lowering of the revs and temp gage... is this all linked?

Any ideas guys???

I got a 1.4l 8V Comfort Fabia in blue on the 12th, 4 days ago.

The lights flicker whilst steering.

Steering is odd. seems to get stiff on odd occasions.

There is a odd noise whilst steering.

After reading all the comments I think the temp gauge may be faulty as well.

I thought there was an out of place cable which caused the lights to flicker and the steering to become stiff on odd occasions.

Anybody has this problem and know what I need please email me at ashhill16@googlemail.com.

I have a Skoda Fabia 1.4 16v Sport on a 05 plate. Never had a days problem with it. Very reliable. Always starts first time. However, the engine management light has just come on. Engine runs fine with small dip in the revs on tickover. When sitting behind other vehicles at lights I notice headlights are flickering as if battery may be low/alternator not charging.

Someone said it's just vibration from engine but I'm not convinced.

Car has done 21k miles.

Also noticed slight water leak in front passenger footwell.

I have a 1.4 Skoda Fabia Classic, 51 Reg, 50,000 miles.

Last year the engine management light came on intermittently - typically it disappeared when I took it in for it's service and MOT, and 3 weeks later it stayed on permanently.

A year down the line with the engine management light on for a whole year, I've just taken it for its latest MOT and service and paid £500 for service and replacement temp sensor among other things. Light came back on after first journey!

Taken back to garage again and just had lambda sensor and steering angle sensor replaced for £300 - engine management came back on after a day.

Am so sick of this engine management light and all of the money I'm throwing into this car. Can anyone suggest why this is happening?

I have read the above about all the problems with the Fabia. I have a 1.9 SDI diesel, and had two problems. One I have sorted, that's why I'm trying to help. The power steering getting heavy and failing. I topped the fluid level up. It's in a terrible place under the battery; it's a pain to get to, but that's all it was. Now I have a knocking noise when I drive; trying to sort that one.