Fiat Punto
Large-displacement five-cylinder with a robust character; timing belt and alternator reliability are critical maintenance points.
HGT Sporting of Its Time
131 hp, 215 km/h, 0–100 in 8.6 seconds — the sportiest standard Punto. High-revving 1.8 unit with sporting character and good handling.
Engine Weaknesses 4
The 2.4 20V has a timing belt that Fiat says should be replaced every 120,000 km. Premature failure causes total engine damage. In practice, 60,000–80,000 km is safer.
Symptoms: Sudden engine stop, metallic cracking before failure, total engine damage
On the Bipower variant (petrol/natural gas), intake valves can suddenly crack or carbon up in gas mode, because gas does not clean the valves as petrol does.
Symptoms: Engine runs roughly in gas mode, whistles when refuelling, in worst case cylinder head damage
The alternator of the 2.4 20V Multipla/Croma fails repeatedly. Replacement with a Magneti unit (Stilo type) is reportedly more reliable than the original Bosch unit.
Symptoms: Battery warning, voltage drop, vehicle won't start
Like many Fiat petrol engines of the era, the 183A1 consumes increasing amounts of oil at higher mileages due to age-related piston rings and valve stem seals.
Symptoms: Bluish smoke, oil level drops, exhaust smells of burning
Vehicle Weaknesses 14
The electric power steering of the Punto 188 fails frequently, initially intermittently. The cause is usually defective relays on the control board of the servo motor.
Strut mounts (spring strut bearings) on the Punto 188 are a documented weak point. Water ingress into the ball bearings accelerates wear. Noises from around 30,000 km; revised Fiat parts resolve the problem permanently.
The automatic brake adjuster of the rear drum brake jams or fails, causing uneven braking and MOT defects. Frozen brake cable in winter makes the problem worse.
The second gear synchro ring wears prematurely. Typical symptom is stiff or crunching engagement of second gear. Clutches also have a short service life, often under 80,000 km.
The exhaust system rusts heavily on older examples, particularly at connecting flanges and the rear silencer. On the underbody, rust shows up mainly on engine mounts, sills and brake lines.
On the Punto 188, water enters preferentially below the windscreen and at the rear roof joint at the transition to the C-pillar. The passenger footwell is most frequently affected.
Corroded or broken ground cables cause a wide range of electrical malfunctions. Alternator, starter, fuel pump and speedo reading are all affected.
On older Punto 188s, valve cover gasket, sump and driveshaft gaiters frequently leak. The gearbox also tends to oil loss.
The wiper linkage of the Punto 188 jams or blocks — in several cases the wiper motor was replaced multiple times within the warranty period.
The clutch on the Punto 188 is considered short-lived — defects on clutch master cylinder, slave cylinder and clutch friction plate are common. Change intervals under 80,000 km are not unusual.
The blower motor resistor burns out. The blower then only works on the highest speed or fails completely. Cause: overheating resistor due to the blower motor bearings dragging.
The AC compressor of the Punto 188 loses refrigerant through leaking hoses and connections with increasing age. Early compressor failures through dry running documented from around 40,000 km.
Before the facelift (up to around 2003), the headlights of the Punto 188 tend to collect moisture. The housing seals age and allow water to penetrate.
The dashboard of the Punto 188 creaks over bumps. Seats with loose backrest catch and creaking door trim are typical signs of ageing from around 80,000 km.