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Fiat 1.2 8V FIRE engine: reliability and faults

Petrol · 1,242 cm³ · 60, 69 hp · since 1999

Good choice, check first
Reliability
4.0/5

3 known faults

Verdict

A naturally aspirated four-cylinder of 1,242 cm³ with 8 valves and a timing belt, first offered with 60 hp on the Punto II in 1999, then with 69 hp on the Fiat 500. Simple mechanics. Its known weak points concern the cooling system: a leaking thermostat housing, overheating and head gasket failure. The ignition coils can also fail. Check the coolant level and the absence of overheating before buying. On the 500, it was replaced by the 1.0 Firefly 70 hp mild hybrid for the 2020 model year.

Years to favour or avoid

To favour
No year particularly to favour
To avoid
No year to avoid identified

Known faults

Thermostat housing leak and overheating

Severity 2/3 · Costly

The thermostat housing of the 1.2 69 hp is reported to be fragile: it can leak, and owners report overheating followed by immobilisation. Undetected coolant loss exposes the head gasket.

Versions
fire-1-2
Onset
not documented
Repair
not documented

Head gasket

Severity 2/3 · Costly

Fiches-auto considers the head gasket of the 1.2 to be noticeably fragile on the Punto 2 and advises checking it before buying: overheating or a “mayonnaise-like” coolant should be a warning sign. Owners of a 1.2 60 hp Punto 2 and a 1.2 69 hp Fiat 500 report head gaskets replaced, sometimes at 46,000 to 60,000 km.

Versions
fire-1-2
Onset
not documented
Repair
not documented

Faulty ignition coils

Severity 1/3 · Annoying

A weak coil causes misfires, the engine warning light to come on, and running on three cylinders, with a risk of damaging the catalytic converter. An owner of a 1.2 500 reports codes P0352 and P0353, resolved by replacing the coils and spark plug leads.

Versions
fire-1-2
Onset
not documented
Repair
not documented

Models fitted

  • Buy with care

    Photo: Harvey Bold, CC BY 4.0

    Fiat 500

    2007–2024 · Petrol, Hybrid

    Estimated monthly cost
    €371/month
    See the guide : Fiat 500
  • Buy with care

    Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Fiat Panda

    since 2012 · Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid

    Estimated monthly cost
    €299/month
    See the guide : Fiat Panda
  • Good choice, check first

    Photo: Overlaet, CC BY-SA 3.0

    Lancia Ypsilon

    2011–2024 · Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid

    Estimated monthly cost
    €268/month
    See the guide : Lancia Ypsilon

Maintain and diagnose this engine

Read fault codes

An OBD scanner plugged in under the steering wheel shows stored fault codes, even with warning lights off: useful during the test drive.

Parts and maintenance

Compare prices of car parts (timing, brakes, filters) to estimate the repairs to plan for.