Fiat Punto: a small Italian with big secrets

The Fiat Punto is a compact passenger car produced from 1993 to 2018. It was offered in hatchback, convertible and van body styles.


The first generation cars were produced from 1993 to 1999, the second from 1999 to 2007, and the third from 2005 to 2018. The Punto once became the best-selling model in the Fiat lineup.

Engines and their weak points

Fiat Punto was equipped with several engines. Let's look at the features and disadvantages of each.

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An 8-valve internal combustion engine with a volume of 1,4 liters was also installed on Fiat Linea and Fiorino. The 350A1000 engine has a tendency to increase engine fluid consumption, especially on runs over 100 thousand km. The cause of oil leakage is wear of the oil scraper rings and caps, replacing which will solve the problem. A typical malfunction for units in the first years of production is slippage of the crankshaft pulley due to shearing of the key.

Owners of Punto with 350A1000 often encounter the problem of floating idle speed, which can be caused by contamination of the throttle valve or fuel pump mesh. Another weak point of this engine is the low service life of some elements: engine supports, starter and thermostat may require replacement at 100-150 thousand km. Thermal valve clearances of the 350A1000 engine must be adjusted every 50 thousand kilometers.

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The 955A2000 engine is equipped with MultiAir, which controls valve timing. Malfunctions in its functioning lead to loss of power, increased fuel consumption, and unstable operation of the internal combustion engine. Problems with MultiAir can be solved by replacing the control unit.


At mileages of more than 100 thousand km, the 955A2000 engine may begin to consume oil, again, due to the occurrence of oil scraper rings. The weak points of this engine include unreliable sensors (crankshaft position, air flow, etc.) and attachments.

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Stuck oil rings are a problem for Fiat Punto, including 188A5000. These internal combustion engines are prone to excessive oil consumption, in particular on older cars. Worn gaskets lead to engine fluid leaking from under the valve cover. Floating idle speed on the 188A5000 can be caused by contamination of the throttle valve or fuel pump screen. Cleaning will solve the problem.

The timing belt runs for about 60 km, but if it breaks, the valve does not bend, and this is a plus. If you believe the reviews, many problems for car owners are caused by unreliable attachments (starter, generator) and electrics.

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Like other Punto engines, after 100 thousand km this unit is prone to oil burns due to the occurrence of oil scraper rings. The weak points of the engine include the ineffective operation of crankcase ventilation. It is believed that its “primitiveness” contributes to oil consumption and contamination of the throttle valve. To fix the problem, you can install an oil separator.

Another typical drawback of the 199A6000 is the wear of the phase regulator on the intake shaft. Due to poor quality lubrication, the device begins to crack a lot. Unreliable elements, for example, a fuel pump, starter and ignition coils have a short service life and fail at 100-150 thousand km. Oil leaks from the valve cover gasket are a common problem with the 199A6000 engine.


Fiat Punto, regardless of engine size and model, is not characterized by dynamic driving, especially after 100 km/h. At speeds above 120 km/h, the engine struggles to develop power, so overtaking on the highway can be unsafe if you do not calculate the time and distance. Fiat Punto is not suitable for lovers of dynamic driving.

Low clearance

The weak point of the Fiat Punto. Ground clearance of 150 mm is not enough for driving on bad roads. The crankcase guard can catch on bumps and the edges of holes. Low ground clearance is guaranteed to lead to damage to the underbody of the car when frequently driving on country roads, as well as to possible problems when driving in ruts.

The engine guard is attached to plastic, which makes it unreliable. At the same time, the car's suspension is also weak. Because of this, the Fiat Punto is completely unsuitable for driving even on moderate off-road conditions.

Disadvantages of the interior

Let's be honest right away: for tall people, such a fit may be uncomfortable. The tight pedal assembly can also be called a weak point. Owners with feet size 45 (or larger) may experience real discomfort when driving, especially in winter shoes. The problem can be partially solved by adjusting the seat and steering wheel, but it cannot be eliminated completely.


The Fiat Punto does not have illumination for the glove compartment and trunk, which creates inconvenience when searching for things at night. Owners have to use a flashlight or turn on the interior light. Retrofitting with lighting is possible, but will require additional costs and intervention in the vehicle's electrical circuit.

Another drawback is poor sound insulation. Noise from the road, engine and headwind is clearly audible in the cabin. This can be tiring on long trips. Additional sound insulation will improve the situation. If not the entire car, then it is highly recommended to modify the arches and doorways.

Some car owners complain about the inconvenience of replacing bulbs in Fiat Punto fog lights. Access to the light elements is limited and replacement may require removal of the bumper. Another option is to put the car on a jack and crawl up to the light bulbs from below, but this is not the safest way. Optics are also characterized by leaky flashlight covers, which often leads to the formation of condensation and fogging.

The headlights themselves can easily be called ineffective. According to reviews, they do not provide sufficient illumination of the road, especially at night, which can make driving unsafe. The solution to the problem will be the installation of LED lamps. Also, the wiring in the Fiat Punto doors is susceptible to breaking, this will lead to problems with the power supply to the windows, locks and other elements.

The Fiat Punto's suspension is tuned more for handling, making it quite stiff. On rough roads, you will feel vibrations and shocks from even the smallest imperfections in the road. When turning at speeds above 40 km/h, the lightweight body can easily observe the rear axle skidding.


This subcompact car has a small trunk (volume 264-297 liters, depending on the generation), which may be inconvenient for family people or travel lovers. But the car was initially more intended for use in urban areas. There are no roof rails, which limits the ability to transport large cargo.

The body of a small car can be called impractical. It includes a lot of plastic parts that quickly scratch and break. Metal is susceptible to corrosion, especially the bottom, sills, and the bottom of the doors. The muffler also quickly rusts and burns out.

Parts for the Fiat Punto are not always easy to find, especially for older versions. Original components are more expensive, and the alternative will always have lower quality and service life.

Fiat Punto is a relatively reliable and unpretentious car. This is a good compact solution for urban use, but not without its drawbacks. Among the “classmates” and closest competitors of the Fiat Punto are Chery Very, Lada Kalina, Opel Corsa, Renault Clio.