Fiat 500 will not pull away on hills

Our 2014 Fiat 500C will not pull away on hills, without heavy revving. The dealer has taken the car in three times, but the problem hasn’t been fixed. They now cannot offer any solutions as they say it’s down to the new emission settings. What should we do??

Asked on 14 January 2015 by NICK & PATRICIA SIMPSON

Answered by Honest John

This was an issue brought up with me in August 2014 and subsequently raised on BBC Watchdog. It is due to the remapping of the old 1,242cc engine to meet EU6 laboratory tests that leaves the engine with very little torque at low revs. The obvious thing to do is to re-set the ECU to the EU5 settings but since this is technically illegal, that is why some FIAT dealers are reluctant to do it.

FIAT has said a fix is due this month. If it isn't you can reject the car as "not of satisfactory quality". Law here: www.honestjohn.co.uk/faq/consumer-rights/

Details of the problem with other owners here: www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/fiat/500-2007/?secti...d

Tags: technical issues hill start

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