01-01-0001:
Quality problems such as old Punto fault of brake master cylinder washer reversing itself, causing pedal to stick to floor and have to be hooked up again.
Reports of poor fuel economy and heavy engine oil consumption of Multijet contradicted by other reports of excellent economy.
One report of engine mounting collapse, on a 2004 1.1 Active. Also on 54 reg 1.2 Dynamic, faults by mid 2007: 5th gear rebuilt, complete failure of the electric power steering and currently in the garage with a split front caliper slider pin causing overheating and squealing.
Loud banging noises from mid front underside of car on wet roads traced to water getting into parking brake assembly, which gets hot, and boiling off, causing the banging noise. Fixed under warranty after lengthy investigation.
By later 2009 power steering column motor failures were becoming increasingly common.
Complaint of Multijet diesel misfiring and losing power on hills in the wet.
Clutch master cylinder prone to eventual failure.
20-06-2011:
Oil cooler of 1,248cc diesel is integral with oil filter mount, using engine coolant to cool the oil and these sometimes fail. Check header tank for any sign of oil in it.
12-08-2013:
Numerous faults developed during the first 6 months and 6,500 miles on a 13k mile 2009 Panda bought used in January 2013: both rear dampers, corroded exhaust bracket, cooling system leak.
03-02-2014:
Two reports in remarkably quick succession of timing chain failures on 2008 Panda 1.3 Multijet, one at 100k miles and the other at 60k miles ,despite 7,500 mile oil and filter changes.
14-11-2015:
PAS problems with EPAS randomly switching off during driving often due to a weak battery or poor/corroded battery and earth connections in the engine compartment. The PAS electric motor draws a high current and when the earthing is poor and there is therefore a resistance, the PAS management system detects the lack of current and switches the PAS off. A full removing/cleaning of all battery and earth connections in the engine compartment can solve it completely.
24-04-2016:
Worse than superficial rust reported in rear suspension twist beam of 80k mile Panda Multijet diesel. Likely to fail its next MoT.
28-02-2017:
Soft front rear wishbone bush led to MoT failure on 38,500 mile 2005 Panda 1.2. Fiat dealer quoted £164.11 total to replace.
03-05-2017:
Report of intermittent EPAS failure on 2010 Panda 4x4.
11-07-2017:
Report of 2007 Panda Dualogic failing to engage any of its gears.
24-07-2017:
Dualogic automated manual of 2007 Panda exported from Belgium to Nigeria "practically refuses to engage in gear by either the manual or the auto." Owner changed the oil and still the car has not moved. Unfortunately, typical.
19-07-2019:
Report of failure of plastic waterpump housing on 1,242cc 2011 FIRE engined FIAT Panda.
February 2003
Small 5-door hatch, was to be called Gingo, actually called Panda. On sale in Europe from 2003, UK from 2004. Length: 3,538mm (11’ 8”) Width (body only): 1,589mm (5’ 2.6”) Height: 1,540mm (5' 1”).
Replaced both old Panda and Seicento from September 2003. Engine range: 1,108 FIRE 8v with 53bhp and 65lb ft torque does 93mph, 0-60 in 14.7 secs, 135g/km CO2.
1,242 FIRE with 60bhp and 75lb ft torque does 96mph, 0-60 in 13.7 secs, 133g/km. 1,251cc Multijet twin cam 16v diesel with 70bhp and 107lb ft torque does 99mph, 0-60 in 12.7 secs, 114g/km so qualifies for Band B £35pa VED.
Square shaped interior with split folding rear seats. High dashboard gear shift. 6 airbags. ABS with EBD. Built in same Polish factory as old Panda and Seicento at rate of 250,000 a year.
April 2003
Base model 1.1 Active is £6,295 on the road (discounted to around £5,000). This includes DualDrive electric power steering, two front airbags, central locking, adjustable steering column, 'follow me home' headlights, Fiat Code II engine immobiliser, RDS radio cassette with four speakers, 'intelligent' windscreen wipers, heater rear window with 'intelligent' wash/wipe, and electric front windows with driver side one-touch facility.
1.2 8v Dynamic at £6,895 adds rev counter, trip computer, body colour bumpers, multifunction display, and ABS with EBD and Brake Assist. 1.2 8v Dynamic Sound for £7,495 has stereo radio CD player, six speakers, a 100 watt sub woofer, steering wheel audio controls, black aluminium roof bars, remote central locking, electric heated door mirrors, foglamps and side rubbing strips.
Alternatively, for the same £600 over the standard 1.2 8v Dynamic, the Dynamic Air-Con comes with manual air conditioning, black aluminium roof bars, remote central locking and side rubbing strips. Or, for £600 the Dynamic SkyDome which comes with Skydome electric sunroof, black aluminium roofbars, remote central locking, foglights and side rubbing strips.
Top model in original range was 1.2 8v Eleganza which, for £8,095, comes with 14" alloys, electric heated door mirrors, black aluminium roof bars, stereo radio CD player, reconfigurable multi-function display, automatic climate control air conditioning, rear folding seats split 50/50 and remote central locking. Or use the extensive accessory list to have your Panda custom built the way you want it.
July 2004
4x4 variant available.
October 2005
Panda Sporting launched
Combines 70bhp Multijet engine with a sporty look. Available only in red or metallic black, has twin offset racing stripes running from nose to tail, and bodykit incorporating redesigned front and rear bumpers, sideskirts and roof mounted rear spoiler. 14” alloy wheels. Inside is trimmed in red and grey cloth; leather steering wheel and gear lever knob, Sporting-embossed kick plates and carpet mats, aluminium inserts around the air vents and gearstick, and sports pedals, CD player. EU4 compliant. Insurance Group 2E. £8,995 OTR.
Dualogic electronically controlled electric clutch manual posing as an auto available on petrol two wheel drives at £700. Readers report it works well. In E mode it moves into 2nd as soon as you get moving (avoiding a 1st to 2nd jolt), 3rd at about 20mph, 4th at 28/30 and 5th at 42/45
October 2006
Panda 100HP arrives
Powered by 1.4 litre 16v FIRE engine tuned to develop 100bhp at 6000rpm, and 97lb.ft of torque at 4250rpm, driving through a six speed manual gearbox (6th photo). All-round disc brakes, ventilated at the front, together with modified springs, dampers, bushes and compliance. With a kerb weight of 1015kg does 0 – 60mph in 9.2s and a maximum speed of 115mph, while still offering 43.4mpg combined cycle and 154g/km CO2) emissions.
Front and rear bumpers are a new, sporty design. Chrome tailpipe standard. Body coloured door handles and wing mirrors. Wheel arches enlarged and blend into new sideskirts. Front fog lights and a tailgate spoiler standard. 15” alloy wheels carry 195/45 x 15 tyres.
Dashboard is of a new darker grey. A leather steering wheel and gear knob are standard, as are split folding rear seats, height adjustable driver’s seat, automatic climate control, and a new ‘Sport’ button enabling the driver to select sensitivity of both the steering and throttle – normal or sport. When ‘Sport’ is selected, the steering offers less power assistance to provide improved feedback, and the throttle pedal becomes more sensitive. Bluetooth® hands-free technology is also standard equipment. £9,995 OTR on sale from December 2006.
July 2008
Panda Mamy goes on sale
Aimed at young mothers launched. Subtly reworked to increase its appeal to both mother and child (or children), building on the Panda’s already well-proven strengths of manoeuvrability, economy, ease of parking and general practicality.
Based on the 1.2-litre Panda Dynamic, comes with Air-conditioning, Bluetooth hands-free phone compatibility, a 50/50 split and sliding rear seat with ISOFIX attachments, height adjustable driver seat. And, as with all Panda models, a radio/CD/MP3 player, ABS anti-lock brakes, two front airbags and remote central locking are also all standard.
Also a second internal rear-view mirror for viewing any children on the rear seat, bag hooks in the boot, trendy new front seat covers with pockets at the back, washable front and rear seat upholstery, orange air-vent surrounds and special carpet mats with a high grip mat in the boot. Available in two new exterior colours, aubergine and orange (as well as the existing black and grey) the body-colouring is extended to the door handles, door mirrors and boot handle.
Unique Mamy logos also feature under each of the front wing indicators. With more than £1,000 worth of extra equipment, the Panda Mamy represents excellent value for money at £8,200. It costs £5 less than the Panda Dynamic Aircon model – yet comes with all the Mamy features.
September 2008
Panda ECO introduced
Low 119g/km CO2 petrol engined Panda Active 1.1 ECO and Dynamic 1.2 ECO launched with low rolling resistance tyres. Active 1.1 ECO has 54 bhp at 5000 rpm, while Dynamic ECO 1.2 has 60 bhp at 5000 rpm. Both return 42.8 mpg in the urban cycle; 68.3 mpg extra urban; and 56.5 mpg combined.
Top speed for the Active ECO is 93 mph, with a 0-60 mph acceleration time of 14.5, while the Dynamic ECO does 96 mph and has a 0-60 mph acceleration time of 13.5 seconds. Active ECO’s standard equipment list includes: immobiliser, driver and passenger airbag, ABS anti-lock braking with EBD, electric power steering, Follow Me Home headlights and electric front windows; while the Dynamic ECO also gets remote central locking, colour coded bumpers and a CD/MP3 player.
Panda Active ECO costs £7,105 on the road and the Panda Dynamic ECO £7,705. But thanks to a reduction of the VED tax band from C to B, there is an immediate saving of £85 to owners.
February 2011
Panda MyLife launched
Based on1.2-litre 8v (69bhp) Active model and comes as standard with 14-inch alloy wheels, air conditioning and remote central locking. Launch price a cheap £6,995.