26th Jul 2006, 16:05
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!!!
27th Sep 2006, 15:48
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.
23rd Sep 2007, 02:40
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.
18th Oct 2007, 15:31
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.
2nd Nov 2007, 11:30
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! :-)
16th May 2008, 06:01
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.
8th Dec 2008, 16:32
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!
10th Dec 2008, 02:59
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. ;-)
10th Dec 2008, 07:11
All modern red paint chips very easily due to water based paints having to be used now instead of the more durable older paints. See Auto Express article about their Civic Type R long termer.
Fiats and electrics do not mix!!
These Puntos look good though...
22nd Jan 2009, 07:21
I have an 06 Grande Punto 1.4 Active Sport. It has 21k and never had any problems.
Last 4 months it hasn't been starting well and been getting gradually worse. I just left it in this morning to get it looked at and received a call to say it needs a new starter motor and new flywheel?? After 21k miles... and its very well looked after.
Anyone else had a similar problem?
27th Mar 2009, 17:55
I purchased a Grande Punto reg 56. Within 30 days of owning the car it has been back to the garage twice. It has stalling faults. The car stalls whilst driving. The car is not fixed correctly yet, and I am not happy with the car, and would not trust another.
2nd Jul 2009, 06:04
1.4 8v Grande Punto delivered 25th March 2009.
1800 miles on clock.
Rattles and clonks along on the British road potholes and speed bumps.
Engine suddenly "sprints" to 3000 revs after an initial tardy response.
On very carefully and slowly depressing throttle, the engine has a jerky rhythm around 1100 rpm, and then the above build up ensues.
New plugs and ECU upgrade and check show all parameters are "correct".
On over-run the revs "rumble" back to whatever throttle setting dictates. Description of "running like a bag of nails" comes to mind.
Anyone ever had such an experience??
6th Jul 2009, 03:39
2007 Grande Punto 1.3 Multijet.
I have had my vehicle for over 55000km's, I have not had 1 single issue with this car.
I unfortunately have no choice but to drive this car in very hard/rough conditions due to the roads and diesel that is available here in Turkey, and I must conclude the car can even handle all that.
This car gets amazing mileage in the hands of a patient driver; it's smooth etc. I can't even think of another car I would buy other than a Civic!
26th Jul 2006, 09:05
I would give it time, it may get better, I hope for you anyway.