Skip to content
MotorFiable

Fiat carsCode 146Also sold as Fiat Uno Mille (Brazil and Argentina) and Fiat Mille (Brazil)

Fiat Uno I problems (1983–2013)

The only engine of the Fiat Uno I that we have documented, the 1.0, 1.2 and 1.4 Fire, has no high or critical severity faults in the versions it is fitted to. Our verdict depends on the version: «Buy» for 1.0, 1.3 and 1.4 8V Fire flex (Brazil, 2001-2017); «With caution» for 1.0 and 1.1 8V FIRE (European Uno, 1985-1994).[1][2]

02468108.0out of 10

Fiat Uno I rating: good reliability

Calculated using only 4 documented faults and their sources: the most serious and frequent faults weigh more. Provisional: the rest of the car (suspension, brakes, electronics…) has not been analysed yet. How it is calculated

  • Engine8.04 faults
  • GearboxNot analysed
  • SuspensionNot analysed
  • BrakesNot analysed
  • Tyres and wheelsNot analysed
  • SteeringNot analysed
  • Electrical systemNot analysed
  • Headlights and lightsNot analysed
  • Electronics and infotainmentNot analysed
  • Climate controlNot analysed
  • Bodywork and interiorNot analysed
  • Airbags and safetyNot analysed

The weak points of the Fiat Uno I

  1. 1Medium severity: Sensor failures: lambda sensor and crankshaft position sensor (TDC)1.0, 1.2 and 1.4 Fire engine
  2. 2Low severity: Oil consumption or leak, in one case from the rocker cover gasket1.0, 1.2 and 1.4 Fire engine
  3. 3Low severity: Faulty ignition coil (misfire, engine warning light)1.0, 1.2 and 1.4 Fire engine
  4. 4Low severity: Timing belt: preventive replacement, no documented breakage pattern1.0, 1.2 and 1.4 Fire engine

Documented engine

The first label is the most serious fault affecting that engine in this car; the second, our verdict for the versions it is fitted to. Each engine's risk index is calculated only from the faults that affect this car (how we calculate it). We only show engines we have documented with sources: if yours does not appear, we have not analysed it yet. View all engines

See what to check before buying

3 sourcesHow we work

1.0, 1.2 and 1.4 Fire

Fiat Fire de 0.8 a 1.4 (8v and 16v, también el Fire Flex de Brasil) · Petrol

In the Uno I
1985–2013[1][3]
Names
1.0 FIRE 45 CV (Europa) · 1.1 FIRE (Europa) · Uno Mille 1.0 Fire Flex (Brasil) · Uno 1.3 Fire Flex (Brasil)
Faults that affect it
4
Risk index on this car
20
Low risk

Verdict for the versions it uses

  • 1.0 and 1.1 8V FIRE (European Uno, 1985-1994)1985–1994 · 45–60 hp

    With caution

    We have found no reliability reports, buying guides or recall campaigns for these FIREs in European Unos. With cars that are 30 to 40 years old, general condition and maintenance matter more than the engine.[1]

  • The Vrum buying guide on the Palio (1996-2018) lists no engine failure among its points of attention, which are the Dualogic gearbox, the clutch actuator, the brakes and the steering box. It notes that spare parts are plentiful; for example, the 2008 Palio timing belt kit costs between 120 and 180 reais.[2]

Faults that affect the Uno I

  1. Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalElectronicsSensor failures: lambda sensor and crankshaft position sensor (TDC)The 1.2 8v Fire can suffer sensor faults: the lambda sensor (warning light, rough running) and, in the Fiat Punto, the crankshaft position sensor (TDC sensor), linked to misfires. These are minority issues, but they recur across several models with this engine.
  2. Low severityFrequency: OccasionalLubricationOil consumption or leak, in one case from the rocker cover gasketThe 1.2 8v Fire can start to use or lose oil after a certain mileage; the only case with an identified origin points to the rocker cover gasket. It is the issue that recurs most for this engine, always in a minority of cases and without damaging the block.
  3. Low severityFrequency: OccasionalIgnitionFaulty ignition coil (misfire, engine warning light)The 1.2 8v Fire's ignition coil can fail and switch on the engine warning light, with rough running; there is one documented case replaced at 40,000 km in the Fiat 500. It is one of the issues that recurs most in the sources consulted for this engine, though always in a minority of cases.
  4. Low severityFrequency: RareTimingTiming belt: preventive replacement, no documented breakage patternThe 1.2 8v Fire has a timing belt, which must be replaced preventively according to the interval set by the manufacturer of the specific car. The reliability sources consulted document no case of premature breakage for this engine: it is scheduled maintenance, not a recurring fault.

Uno I 1.0, 1.2 and 1.4 Fire pageAll versions and faults of the 1.0, 1.2 and 1.4 Fire

Checklist for buying a used Fiat Uno I

Check the advert or the paperwork to see which engine the car has and go through its section. Each point comes from a documented fault; you can tick them off as you inspect.

If it has the 1.0, 1.2 and 1.4 Fire (1985–2013)

Sensor failures: lambda sensor and crankshaft position sensor (TDC)

Medium severity

Oil consumption or leak, in one case from the rocker cover gasket

Low severity

Faulty ignition coil (misfire, engine warning light)

Low severity

Timing belt: preventive replacement, no documented breakage pattern

Low severity

Wear parts for the Fiat Uno I

Brakes, wiper blades, pollen filter and battery, searched for this model. The exact part number depends on the engine and year: confirm it with the registration plate or VIN.

Affiliate links: if you buy from these shops, MotorFiable may receive a commission at no cost to you. Check compatibility against the registration plate or VIN before ordering. Affiliate links

Buying a Fiat Uno I?

We will put you in touch with a partner only if you authorise it in the form.

Own a Fiat Uno I? Tell us what faults you have had, at what mileage and how much you paid. Report your fault.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Fiat Uno I reliable?

The only engine of the Fiat Uno I that we have documented, the 1.0, 1.2 and 1.4 Fire, has no high or critical severity faults in the versions it is fitted to. Our verdict depends on the version: «Buy» for 1.0, 1.3 and 1.4 8V Fire flex (Brazil, 2001-2017); «With caution» for 1.0 and 1.1 8V FIRE (European Uno, 1985-1994).

What faults does the Fiat Uno I have?

The most important by severity and frequency, on the engines we have documented, are: sensor failures: lambda sensor and crankshaft position sensor (TDC) (1.0, 1.2 and 1.4 Fire, medium severity), oil consumption or leak, in one case from the rocker cover gasket (1.0, 1.2 and 1.4 Fire, low severity), faulty ignition coil (misfire, engine warning light) (1.0, 1.2 and 1.4 Fire, low severity) and timing belt: preventive replacement, no documented breakage pattern (1.0, 1.2 and 1.4 Fire, low severity).

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. Fiat UnoWikipedia (en) · Encyclopedia · consulted 2 November 2026
  2. Fiat Palio: 10 dicas pra observar na hora de comprar um usadoVrum · Motoring press · published 14 June 2022 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
  3. Fiat Uno MilleWikipedia (pt) · Encyclopedia · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese