Fiat Idea 1.3 Multijet 70, 90 and 95 hp problems
The Fiat Idea used the 1.3 Multijet from 2004 to 2012 (1.3 Multijet 70, 1.3 Multijet 90 and 1.3 Multijet 95). 5 documented faults affect it; the most important is “timing chain stretch and tensioner failure” (critical severity, common). Our verdict: “With caution”. Among the documented engines of the Fiat Idea, the safest option is the 1.0, 1.2 and 1.4 Fire.
Engine score on this car
3.6 out of 10Low reliability
Only counting the faults that affect the versions and years of the Idea. How we calculate it
Overall score for the Fiat Idea
5.8 out of 10Acceptable reliability
Engines, gearbox, suspension, brakes, electronics and the rest of the car. See breakdown
Fiat 1.3 Multijet / JTD (SDE) · Diesel
- Names
- 1.3 Multijet 70 · 1.3 Multijet 90 · 1.3 Multijet 95
- Faults that affect it
- 5 · 4 of high or critical severity
Verdict for the versions it uses
1.3 Multijet 8v (69-105 hp, 2003-2009)2003–2009 · 69–105 hp · Z13DT
With cautionIt 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]
1.3 Multijet II 16v Euro 5 (75-95 hp, 2009-2015)2009–2015 · 75–95 hp · Z13DTH, 199B1.000
With cautionIt improves consumption and noise compared with the first generation, but shares the same chain and tensioner design, with documented cases of stretching. Ask for the maintenance history and watch for oil dilution if the car is used mostly in town.[5][7]
Faults that affect the Idea
- Critical severityFrequency: CommonTimingTiming chain stretch and tensioner failureYes: the timing chain's hydraulic tensioner can lose pressure and let the chain slacken; if it skips teeth or breaks, it can destroy the engine. It is a documented problem on Fiat, Opel, Suzuki and Ford cars with this engine, mainly linked to long oil change intervals.Repair (garage): €350–€550Appears at around 70,000 km
- High severityFrequency: CommonEmissions controlIncomplete particulate filter regenerations and oil dilutionIn heavy urban use, with short journeys that do not let the particulate filter regeneration finish, unburnt diesel passes into the sump and dilutes the oil; the level can rise on the dipstick and the oil loses its ability to lubricate. Repeated many times, it speeds up engine wear.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalTurboSeized variable-geometry turboOn versions with a variable-geometry turbo, the vanes can seize through soot build-up, especially on cars used in town for short journeys. The engine loses power gradually and may give off black smoke when accelerating.Repair (garage): €450–€700
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalInjectionInjector and high-pressure pump wear from contaminated fuelThe Bosch injectors and the high-pressure pump of the common rail system are sensitive to poor-quality fuel or fuel with condensed water. With contaminated diesel they can generate metal shavings that damage first the pump and then the injectors themselves.Repair (garage): €600–€1,200
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonEmissions controlEGR valve blocked by sootThe 1.3 Multijet's EGR valve easily accumulates soot on short urban journeys, causing an unstable idle, loss of power and the engine warning light. It is one of the most cited problems among owners of this engine.Repair (garage): €130–€400
What to check before buying a used Fiat Idea 1.3 Multijet 70, 90 and 95 hp
Each point comes from a documented fault that affects this car. You can tick them off as you inspect it.
If it has the 1.3 Multijet (2004–2012)
Timing chain stretch and tensioner failure
Critical severitySeized variable-geometry turbo
High severityEGR valve blocked by soot
Medium severityOther engines and gearboxes of the Fiat Idea
Score for each one with the faults that affect this car, from best to worst.
Faults of the Fiat Idea outside the engine
Suspension, brakes, electronics and the rest of the car: they occur with any engine.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalSuspensionFront crossmember with faulty welding or corrosion (2005 Fiat Idea)The British DVSA recorded two campaigns for the front crossmember of Ideas built in 2005: one for a weld out of specification (45 cars from March) and another for corrosion next to the welds of the suspension arm anchorages (793 cars from May to September).
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalAirbags and safetyRear seatbelt anchorages out of specification (2004 Fiat Idea)In November 2004 the British DVSA recalled 1,690 Ideas built between 11 March and 4 April 2004 because the rear seatbelt anchorages did not meet the specification; it is corrected with an additional bracket.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalElectrical systemFaulty alternator (Brazilian 2016-2017 Fiat Idea, 2018 campaign)In March 2018 Fiat recalled 15,534 cars of the 2016 and 2017 model years in Brazil, 42 of them Ideas, for a possible electrical fault in the alternator that can make the engine run irregularly and, in extreme cases, switch off.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalGearbox and clutchGearbox oil and first gear wear (Brazilian 2012-2014 Fiat Idea)In September 2014 Fiat recalled the Ideas built between 1 February 2012 and 22 February 2014 in Brazil: the gearbox oil is changed and, for cars with more than 40,000 km, the first-gear components, whose premature wear can make it hard to engage the gear.
Buying a Fiat Idea 1.3 Multijet 70, 90 and 95 hp?
We will put you in touch with a partner only if you authorise it in the form.
The Fiat Idea has 5 documented recalls and campaigns. See which ones and how to find out if they affect you
Frequently asked questions
Is the Fiat Idea 1.3 Multijet 70, 90 and 95 hp reliable?
The Fiat Idea used the 1.3 Multijet from 2004 to 2012 (1.3 Multijet 70, 1.3 Multijet 90 and 1.3 Multijet 95). 5 documented faults affect it; the most important is “timing chain stretch and tensioner failure” (critical severity, common). Our verdict: “With caution”. Among the documented engines of the Fiat Idea, the safest option is the 1.0, 1.2 and 1.4 Fire.
What faults does the Fiat Idea 1.3 Multijet 70, 90 and 95 hp have?
The documented ones that affect this car are: timing chain stretch and tensioner failure (critical severity), incomplete particulate filter regenerations and oil dilution (high severity), seized variable-geometry turbo (high severity), injector and high-pressure pump wear from contaminated fuel (high severity) and EGR valve blocked by soot (medium severity).
Which engine should you choose for the Fiat Idea?
None has a «Buy» verdict; the safest option is the 1.0, 1.2 and 1.4 Fire, with a «With caution» verdict.
Own a Fiat Idea 1.3 Multijet 70, 90 and 95 hp? Tell us what faults you have had and at how many kilometres. Report your fault.
Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- Fiat Idea 350 (2004-2005): datos generales y variantesADAC · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
- Fiat Idea 350 (1. Facelift, 2005-2008): datos generales y variantesADAC · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
- Fiat IdeaWikipedia (it) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Italian
- Fiat 1.3 Multijet: ficha técnica, problemas y tuningMotordinámico · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
- 1.3 CDTi Opel (Z13DT) Multijet: ficha técnica, problemas y tuningMotordinámico · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
- Fiat 1.3 Multijet: problemas, fallos y averías más frecuentesTotalrenting · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
- Fiat 1.3 JTD/Multijet: corrente folgada e entupimento dos canais de lubrificaçãoProvmec · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Portuguese
- Quando sostituire la catena di distribuzione sul 1.3 Multijet: riconoscere i sintomiRettifica Pompeo · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Italian
- FIAT 500 1.3 MultiJet II: EGR Valve Problems and How to Fix ThemAutoricambi Tritella · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026