Fiat Freemont
The 2.0L Tigershark is more solid than the 2.4 MultiAir, but shares some structural risks; sold primarily in America in the Freemont.
Four-Cylinder in a Heavyweight
170 hp four-cylinder in a heavy 7-seater — a compromise. Revs refinedly but not excitingly, fuel consumption above the diesel without more fun.
Engine Weaknesses 4
Like the 2.4L Tigershark, the ED3 cooling circuit can fail due to ageing thermostats or leaking connections, leading to overheating if unnoticed.
Symptoms: Coolant temperature gauge rising above normal, coolant level dropping
The 2.0L Tigershark ED3 shares the piston ring issue of the Tigershark family. Oil consumption tends to increase at higher mileages above 100,000 km.
Symptoms: Increased oil consumption, blue smoke, oil level drops between changes
The 6-speed automatic in the Freemont tends to jerk on pull-away and shift sluggishly, especially when cold. A gearbox oil change can help.
Symptoms: Jerking on pull-away, delayed gear changes in city traffic, shift jolt
The Uconnect system in the Freemont regularly freezes or loses Bluetooth connections. Software updates provide only temporary relief.
Symptoms: Black display, no response to input, requires restart
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.