TESTIGO'S OWN DATABASE

Faults and recalls.

Sources are not verified in real time and no entry confirms that your car is affected.

BrandSpecific modelFuel type

4 entries · page 1 of 1

MultiAir actuator starved of oil pressureValvetrain (MultiAir actuator)

Engine / equipment: 1.4 MultiAir (naturally aspirated and turbo) and the 0.9 TwinAir, which uses the same system: Fiat 500, Punto, Tipo, 500X; Alfa MiTo and Giulietta; Jeep Renegade and Compass; Abarth
Period mentioned: 2009–2024
Symptoms: Hard or rough cold starts, hesitation, stalling and an engine light with P1523 (low oil pressure in the MultiAir system).
Possible cause described: The intake valves are operated by oil pressure through an electro-hydraulic block. Degraded oil, a low level or a dirty secondary filter starve the system of pressure, and over time the actuator fails internally.
Check for the garage: Change the oil and filter with the correct specification, inspect the MultiAir mesh filter and measure oil pressure before replacing the actuator.
Cost cited in the source: Oil change: the cheapest step and often enough; MultiAir actuator: approx. €650–1,400 (converted from dollars)A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

FIRE head gasket, belt and coilsCylinder head / timing / ignition

Engine / equipment: FIRE 1.1, 1.2 and 1.4 petrol, 8 and 16 valves (Panda, Punto, 500, Doblò, Idea, Linea, Lancia Ypsilon and Musa)
Period mentioned: 2000–2020
Symptoms: Coolant loss, white smoke or mayonnaise-like oil (head gasket); misfires and, if the ECU is damaged, the car will not start or cuts out.
Possible cause described: A very robust engine with three weak points: the head gasket, which fails mostly between 80,000 and 150,000 km if the cooling system is neglected; the timing belt, whose failure bends valves on the 1.1, all 16-valve engines and the 1.2 with VVT; and the ignition coils, which as they degrade can damage the ECU.
Check for the garage: Check the coolant level and oil filler cap, check when the belt was last changed (also by age) and test the coils before they fail.
Cost cited in the source: Ignition coil: €40–60; head gasket and belt: depends on the garageA rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Mileage cited in the database: 80,000–150,000 km. This is not a maintenance interval and does not predict a failure.

The automatic gearbox shifts down by itself and may lock the rear wheels (recall)Automatic gearbox

Engine / equipment: 124 Spider Abarth with automatic gearbox
Period mentioned: 2016–2018
Symptoms: While driving, the automatic gearbox suddenly shifts down without touching the paddles; the rear wheels skid or lock and the car steps out.
Possible cause described: Faulty software can make the automatic gearbox shift down unintentionally and lock the rear wheels, with a risk of an accident. It is a recall (EU Safety Gate alert 28/2019) for 124 Spider Abarth cars built from 1/9/2016 to 3/7/2018; it is fixed by updating the software.
Check for the garage: It is dangerous: do not keep driving until it is checked. Ask the dealer, with the car's details, whether the gearbox software recall is outstanding.
Cost cited in the source: No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

12 V battery and brakes on the electric Fiat 500eElectrical and electronic systems

Engine / equipment: Fiat 500e (2020 onwards) and Abarth 500e
Period mentioned: 2020 onwards
Symptoms: The car will not start or unlock with the key even with a full traction battery, because the 12 V auxiliary battery is flat; “Service 12V Battery” warnings; rusty brake discs and, in the worst case, a seized caliper.
Possible cause described: A German garage cites the 12 V battery as a frequent cause of breakdowns: in city use it gets little charge and some control units draw current at rest. Because the electric motor does most of the braking, the friction brakes are used little and rust. Fiat releases software updates for charging and energy management.
Check for the garage: Measure the 12 V battery and its standby drain; ask for software updates; brake hard now and then and check the calipers.
Cost cited in the source: No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Your car