Fiat Freemont
Sporty 2.0 MultiJet in the Bravo with turbo and DPF weaknesses; better on long trips than the 1.9.
Base Diesel in the 7-Seater
140 hp diesel in a 7-seater — adequate for daily use, under pressure on the motorway. Solid family van, no fun concept.
Engine Weaknesses 4
The turbocharger can fail prematurely in short-trip operation or with insufficient maintenance. Documented failures at as little as 27,000 km. Interaction with DPF blockage accelerates wear.
Symptoms: Loud bang under load, grinding noise on acceleration, complete power loss, engine warning light
The EGR valve is a documented weak point on all MultiJet engines in the Fiat Bravo. When it fails, the blocked EGR passage secondarily causes DPF clogging.
Symptoms: Poor throttle response, juddering, engine warning light, EGR fault code
The DPF cannot actively regenerate in frequent city driving on short trips. After the check engine light is ignored, the vehicle enters limp mode. Problems can recur within a few hundred kilometres.
Symptoms: DPF engine warning light, limp mode after 150–200 km, fuel ingress into oil
Drive shafts on the Bravo 2.0 MultiJet fail prematurely, sometimes repeatedly on the same vehicle. Documented failures at 25,000, 49,000 km and again shortly after.
Symptoms: Clicking on full lock, vibrations under acceleration, drive shaft noise
Vehicle Weaknesses 7
Fiat fitted some Freemont models with control arms using excessively soft rubber bushes. This causes severe steering wheel vibration at 90–130 km/h, which worsens at higher ambient temperatures.
The Freemont drains the battery through a faulty Bluetooth control unit or defective keyless entry door handles that prevent the CAN bus from entering sleep mode.
The AC compressor can fail and then only produces hot air. Fitting an aftermarket compressor costs around 400 Euro. The system must be flushed when replacing, as metal swarf circulates through the system.
From around 80,000 km, the power steering pump or steering rack can develop leaks and lose hydraulic fluid, causing heavy steering. Cascade failures possible.
Grinding noises when turning under load indicate worn CV joints or a failed viscous coupling. A new differential costs 1,400 Euro. As a stop-gap, vehicles are driven in two-wheel drive.
Constant opening/closing movements break the cables in the wiring loom because Fiat used unsuitable, inflexible wiring. Rear wiper, heating, tail light and release button fail.
After driving in rain and parking briefly, the Freemont's brake discs rust quickly. Pads can bond to discs so the vehicle resists moving on pull-away.