KNOWN FAULTS · Abarth

Known faults for the Abarth 124 Spider.

2016–2019 · Petrol

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

2 known faults with sources

Engines: 1.4 MultiAir turbo (Petrol)

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.

Engines: 1.4 MultiAir turbo (Petrol)

Applies if: Only with the automatic gearbox and built from 1/9/2016 to 3/7/2018.

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.