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Power struggle

I have been a FIAT owner for a number of years now, but it has come to my attention that my 2006 Panda with 70,000 miles on the clock now needs work for a power assisted steering failure which my dealer could price at £1,200. I have a very good relationship with this dealer and he is willing to cut the price as much as they can to around £900, but I still find this cost unreasonable for a four year old car which has been dealer serviced since new. None of my other FIATs have presented with this issue, and I note that other Pandas are also presenting with the same failure. I do not consider that this makes the vehicle reasonably fit for purpose.

Asked on 4 September 2010 by PD, Yarm

Answered by Honest John
This is the same problem as suffered by owners of Vauxhall Merivas as well as Pandas and Unos. The power to the steering is an electric motor round the steering column. If you hold the car on hard lock, the motor powers against itself and burns itself out. You should have been warned about this at purchase.
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