29th Mar 2005, 03:43

I had the same problems with my Punto. Problems included:-

Head Gasket went at 22,000 and again at 45,000 miles

Wiper linkage failed

Throttle stuck to the floor while driving (very scary!)

Car revved on it's own, without the gas pedal depressed

Oil sump corroded

Exhaust fell off (twice) resulting in getting jammed under the car

The car's central locking had a habit of unlocking the car itself

Electric windows and city power steering failed

Dashboard illumination went off when touching the brake pedal.

Fiat dealership was poor, as soon as they sold the car to me they weren't bothered. When I took it to the garage when it was overheating they said it just needed to "good service". Maybe I had a bad car, but I keep hearing too many horror stories! Now have a SEAT Ibiza, and its nice not having to go to the garage every month!!!

24th Sep 2005, 09:45

Girlfriends Punto has had exactly the same problems as the ones mentioned in this review. Literally ticked them off as we where reading. Her power steering motor has just failed as well, which is £500+ for the part ex VAT, its had more exhausts fall off of it then is believeable, but the worst thing is...

At 45k, it now requires a new G E A R B O X! Due to crappy Fiat build quality. I would never buy a Fiat.

25th Sep 2005, 13:25

I used to think cheap and fun car to drive, but Wife and I have both had enough problems to question the quality. Seems to be some common themes here.

In both our cars, early on the bonnet catch broke and our heat shield manifold bolts have come off, in mine resulting it falling off and me driving over it.

My wife has had her heater pack up and power steering completely locked up at one point in a car park and she was unable to steer.

I have had head Gasket go at 40000 mile and wiper linkage go both costing an arm and a leg. Now my gear box has got stiffer and stiffer, I'm too scared to find out about this and looking to get rid.

14th Dec 2005, 06:39

My Fiat Punto 1.2 R reg has developed a fault with the clutch.

When the engine becomes hot, I cannot select any gear at all. I have taken it to my local garage twice, but they say there is nothing wrong. Someone did however mention the hydraulics in the clutch system. I am at a loss at what to do next. I cannot drive the car expectinng the worse!

16th Jan 2006, 23:28

Hi, just wondering if anyone knew how to add gear oil to the gear box??? I have a 1.2 8 valve punto as i am clueless on cars.

Hope you can help.

20th Feb 2006, 18:25

Oh dear. How I wish I had read the reviews before buying my 1.2 16V Punto Sporting. Killer looks - but what an awful car. Bought a 2001 vehicle mid-2005. Had the usual small problems, bits falling off, trim unstuck, wiper linkage failure. Last week - noticed odd engine noise. Took it too a car clinic today - got the call, gearbox total failure - that will be $3,900 please for a new one. For a 2001 car! They have got to be kidding me. Do NOT buy one of these cars.

5th Mar 2006, 05:51

I'm on my second Punto (a 2000 1.2 8v) and it will definitely be my last. A catalogue of problems include head gasket blowing at 25,000 miles, mysterious squeaks and rattles from the rear, lambda oxygen sensor failing (not cheap), dashboard lights only working when they feel like it, headlamp condensation, clutch failure at 65,000 miles, and to top it off, the valves now need re-seating! An absolute disaster of a car, avoid at all costs!

27th Apr 2006, 14:30

I have a 2000 (W) Punto 1.2 ELX - I have had nothing, but problems from day one (just over 2 years now) Cylinder Head went at 20000, exhaust fell off, hole underneath letting water in, both headlamps have had to be replaced due to misting, windscreen wipers are really 'screechy'. It's done 39000 and I'm now waiting for the clutch to go!! All in all I have spent over £1k on repairs.

9th May 2006, 12:48

Found the comments quite interesting though didn't apply to me whatsoever! I've got a 1.2 8V and its hasn't even let me down slightly. However I've only owned it myself for 6 months, but its now third hand. Maybe I'm just better at looking after my Punto? Or lucky. who knows?

23rd May 2006, 14:24

I have had two puntos and the second has been nothing, but trouble. I had a bump in car the steering was out of control, the car was repaired and within a couple of months the car steered of to the left on the motor way, was able to control and pull to a stop. The car was repaired again and I am now a year down the line and a week ago my car steered of to the left, rolled and crashed into trees. by luck we were all OK. will never buy another fiat punto. How do you prove that the car had a fault??? They will just say that you can't tell as the damaged might have happened after the crash.

4th Jun 2006, 05:15

I can echo these comments. I had an 'UNO' years ago it is was very good - kept it 8 years and no trouble. Got my daughter a 3 year old Punto (2001) 2 years ago (it had only done 23,000 miles) and the money I've spent on it! New brakes, obviously, new wiper motor. New exhaust, and then a new clutch!!! And the electrics failed too so it wouldn't start. I think the quality of the parts are just shocking. Now the wiper linkage arm has detached itself. Sob sob!!

12th Jun 2006, 12:58

Sorry to hear you're all so disappointed. I had a Punto for the past 4 years. It was a 2002 1.2 8v Active Sport and I loved it to bits! I did have a problem once when the throttle control potentiometer was on the blink, but Fiat replaced the throttle body for free under warranty.

During the last year I've been taking my car to university and driving it home on weekends. 120 mile journey each way, plus about 50 miles driving about each end. Its been doing about 42mpg average (i've got a bit of a lead foot though).

Sadly, I was in an road accident last week, hit head on by a stolen Audi A4 that was travelling at 110mph (according to the police helicopter video). To the surprise of the officers attending the scene, I got out without so much as a single scratch or bruise on me. Couldn't say the same for the car though. As a replacement, I'm taking delivery of a second hand Punto Sporting next week from my local dealer. I can't wait!

16th Jun 2006, 15:58

Well, I had a Punto ELX, 2003 model. Today, I was comming back home when suddenly I heard a large noise and the whole engine went off. What happned was that the engine fell out while moving; it went complete dead, the key is stuck can't be moved! I can't believe a car's entire engine falls under the body while driving on the road!! never buy a Punto!