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Fiat 1.4 MultiAir (turbo) engine: reliability and faults

Petrol · 1,368 cm³ · 135, 140, 150, 165, 170 hp · since 2009

Good choice, check first
Reliability
4.5/5

1 known fault

Verdict

A 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine from the FIRE family, whose intake valves are driven by an electro-hydraulic MultiAir module. Fitted to the Alfa Romeo MiTo and Giulietta, the Fiat 500X and the Abarth Punto Evo. This module, which runs on engine oil, is its weak point: it copes badly with degraded oil or stretched oil changes. Ask for a documented service history with the specified oil.

Years to favour or avoid

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

Known faults

MultiAir module: misfires, loss of power and limp mode

Severity 2/3 · Costly

The MultiAir module opens the valves using oil pressure. It can seize if the oil is degraded or non-compliant, or if oil changes are stretched: hard cold starts, rough idle, misfires, loss of power, engine warning light and limp mode. Failures are reported mostly on early cars, often fixed under warranty; Fiches-auto names it the most reported fault on the 500X 1.4 MultiAir 140, and Caradisiac reports issues from 50,000 km.

Versions
multiair-1-4
Onset
not documented
Repair
not documented

Models fitted

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.