2008 Fiat Idea problems

1.3 Multijet 8v (69-105 hp, 2003-2009)

69–105 hp · Z13DT

It is the generation that has been on the road longest and the one with the most documented cases of stretched timing chains and failed tensioners. It is only worth considering with an oil change history and, ideally, with the chain already inspected or replaced.^[4][5][6]

1.6 MultiJet II (90-130 hp, 2006-2024)

90–130 hp

It is a mechanically sound engine if maintenance is kept up, but with known faults worth checking: the timing belt tensioner may need replacing before the official interval and the EGR valve clogs easily in urban use. A reasonable buy with a verifiable service history and after checking these points.^[8][9]

1.9 JTD/Multijet 8v (78-130 hp, 1997-2010)

78–130 hp · Z19DT

A mechanically long-lived engine according to the workshops consulted, but with known faults that should be checked: the EGR valve clogs easily in urban use and, on the Opel and Saab versions, the intake manifold flaps and the turbo can give trouble. Worth buying with a verifiable maintenance history.^[10][11][12]

Dualogic 5-speed (2003-present)

· C510

There is no systemic fault acknowledged by the manufacturer, but owner testimonies repeatedly document jerking and an interruption of drive on every gearchange (inherent to the design of a single clutch), as well as minority cases of clutches worn out early and of actuator or hydraulic pressure faults that make the gearbox drop into neutral on its own while driving; the car should be thoroughly test-driven, weighing whether the driving comfort, very different from a conventional automatic, is worth its low cost.^[15][16]

1.2 16V Fire 80 hp (Fiat Idea, 2004-2010)

80 hp

We have found no reliability reports for this variant in the Idea. In 2007 the British DVSA recorded a campaign for a broken crankshaft pulley that drives the ancillaries, covering 1,474 Ideas built in May 2006; the engine is not specified. It is worth checking that the work was done on units from that date.^[17]

1.4 8V Fire 77-78 hp (Fiat Idea, 2005-2011)

77–78 hp

We have found no reliability reports for this variant in the Idea. In 2007 the British DVSA recorded a campaign for a broken crankshaft pulley that drives the ancillaries, covering 1,474 Ideas built in May 2006; the engine is not specified. It is worth checking that the work was done on units from that date.^[17]

1.4 16V 95 hp (Fiat Idea, 2004-2010)

95 hp

We have found no reliability reports for this variant in the Idea. In 2007 the British DVSA recorded a campaign for a broken crankshaft pulley that drives the ancillaries, covering 1,474 Ideas built in May 2006; the engine is not specified. It is worth checking that the work was done on units from that date.^[17]