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Fiat Tipo problems (2015–today)

We have documented 5 engines for the Fiat Tipo; the 1.3 Multijet, the 1.6 and 2.0 MultiJet II and the 1.4 T-Jet have high or critical severity faults. The safest option is the 0.9 TwinAir and 1.0/1.3 FireFly, with a «Buy» verdict.[1][2]

Outside the engine: The Fiat Tipo (2015-present) has accumulated several safety campaigns outside the engine: the airbag control unit (2021), the brittleness of certain wheels (2022) and, on Hybrid versions, the MHEV system battery (2023). Owner testimonies with manual gearboxes also describe premature clutch wear from around 38,000 km.[3][4]

Fiat Tipo (2015–today)
Photo: Mr.choppers · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons. Reference image for this generation.
02468107.0out of 10

Fiat Tipo rating: acceptable reliability

Calculated using only 20 documented faults and their sources: the most serious and frequent faults weigh more. How it is calculated

  • Engine6.5From 3.6 to 9.3 depending on the engine
  • Gearbox8.91 fault
  • Suspension10.0No documented faults
  • Brakes8.61 fault
  • Tyres and wheels8.61 fault
  • Steering10.0No documented faults
  • Electrical system8.61 fault
  • Electronics and infotainment10.0No documented faults
  • Climate control10.0No documented faults
  • Bodywork and interior10.0No documented faults
  • Airbags and safety7.92 faults

Ranked 4 of 98 among the compact cars with solid evidence. See the ranking

The weak points of the Fiat Tipo

  1. 1Critical severity: Timing chain stretch and tensioner failure1.3 Multijet engine · repair €350–€550
  2. 2High severity: Incomplete particulate filter regenerations and oil dilution1.3 Multijet engine
  3. 3High severity: Saturated diesel particulate filter (DPF) from incomplete regenerations1.6 and 2.0 MultiJet II engine
  4. 4High severity: Premature turbocharger failure or wear1.4 T-Jet engine · repair €1,100–€2,300
  5. 5Critical severity: Early tensioner wear and risk of timing belt failure1.6 and 2.0 MultiJet II engine · repair €420–€550

Documented engines, from highest to lowest risk

The first label is the most serious fault affecting that engine in this car; the second, our verdict for the versions it is fitted to. Each engine's risk index is calculated only from the faults that affect this car (how we calculate it). We only show engines we have documented with sources: if yours does not appear, we have not analysed it yet. View all engines

See what to check before buying

Outside the engine

4 recalls and campaigns documented, the latest: Mild-hybrid (MHEV) system battery check. See the campaigns for the Fiat Tipo

25 sourcesHow we work

1.3 Multijet

Fiat 1.3 Multijet / JTD (SDE) · Diesel

In the Tipo
2015–2024[5]
Name
1.3 Multijet 95
Faults that affect it
5 · 4 of high or critical severity
Risk index on this car
64
High risk

Verdict for the version it uses

  • 1.3 Multijet II 16v Euro 6 (95 hp, 2015-2020)2015–2020 · 95 hp · A13DTE

    With caution

    The timing chain problem is partly mitigated compared with earlier generations, but it does not go away, and the demands of particulate filter regenerations on cars used mainly in town are added to it. Worth considering with an oil history and mixed journeys.[6][7]

Faults that affect the Tipo

  1. Critical severityFrequency: CommonTimingTiming chain stretch and tensioner failureYes: the timing chain's hydraulic tensioner can lose pressure and let the chain slacken; if it skips teeth or breaks, it can destroy the engine. It is a documented problem on Fiat, Opel, Suzuki and Ford cars with this engine, mainly linked to long oil change intervals.Repair (garage): €350–€550Appears at around 70,000 km
  2. High severityFrequency: CommonEmissions controlIncomplete particulate filter regenerations and oil dilutionIn heavy urban use, with short journeys that do not let the particulate filter regeneration finish, unburnt diesel passes into the sump and dilutes the oil; the level can rise on the dipstick and the oil loses its ability to lubricate. Repeated many times, it speeds up engine wear.
  3. High severityFrequency: OccasionalTurboSeized variable-geometry turboOn versions with a variable-geometry turbo, the vanes can seize through soot build-up, especially on cars used in town for short journeys. The engine loses power gradually and may give off black smoke when accelerating.Repair (garage): €450–€700
  4. High severityFrequency: OccasionalInjectionInjector and high-pressure pump wear from contaminated fuelThe Bosch injectors and the high-pressure pump of the common rail system are sensitive to poor-quality fuel or fuel with condensed water. With contaminated diesel they can generate metal shavings that damage first the pump and then the injectors themselves.Repair (garage): €600–€1,200
  5. Medium severityFrequency: CommonEmissions controlEGR valve blocked by sootThe 1.3 Multijet's EGR valve easily accumulates soot on short urban journeys, causing an unstable idle, loss of power and the engine warning light. It is one of the most cited problems among owners of this engine.Repair (garage): €130–€400

Tipo 1.3 Multijet pageAll versions and faults of the 1.3 Multijet

1.6 and 2.0 MultiJet II

Fiat 1.6 MultiJet II and 2.0 MultiJet II · Diesel

In the Tipo
since 2015[8][9]
Name
1.6 MultiJet 120
Faults that affect it
5 · 2 of high or critical severity
Risk index on this car
52
High risk

Verdict for the version it uses

  • 1.6 MultiJet II (90-130 hp, 2006-2024)since 2006 · 90–130 hp

    With caution

    It is a mechanically sound engine if maintenance is kept up, but with known faults worth checking: the timing belt tensioner may need replacing before the official interval and the EGR valve clogs easily in urban use. A reasonable buy with a verifiable service history and after checking these points.[9][10]

Faults that affect the Tipo

  1. High severityFrequency: CommonEmissions controlSaturated diesel particulate filter (DPF) from incomplete regenerationsIn urban use with short journeys, the particulate filter does not manage to complete its regeneration and becomes saturated; garages recommend a weekly motorway run to avoid it. The filter itself is among the weak points flagged in the 1.6 and 2.0 MultiJet II after a certain mileage.
  2. Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalTimingEarly tensioner wear and risk of timing belt failureYes: the tensioner can lose tension before the official 120,000 km interval, with a flapping noise that, if ignored, can end in the belt snapping and the valves hitting the pistons. Several garages recommend bringing the change forward to around 90,000 km in mixed use.Repair (garage): €420–€550Appears at around 90,000 km
  3. Medium severityFrequency: CommonEmissions controlEGR valve blocked by soot in urban useYes: the EGR valve builds up soot with urban use and short journeys, which causes loss of power and turns on the engine fault warning light. It is one of the most frequently cited faults of this engine in both the Jeep Renegade and the Fiat Doblò.Repair (garage): €200–€500
  4. Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalInjectionInjector faults and DPF particulate sensor failureIn some batches, a fault in the injection system or in the DPF particulate sensor turns on the engine fault warning light. In the Fiat Doblò, worn injectors or injectors with poor atomisation are also cited as a cause of power loss, higher consumption and black smoke when accelerating.
  5. Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalClutchDual-mass flywheel wear in manual versionsThe dual-mass flywheel on manual versions is one of the weak points flagged in the 1.6 and 2.0 MultiJet II after a certain mileage. When it wears it causes vibrations and metallic noises at idle and when using the clutch, and replacing it is not cheap.

Tipo 1.6 and 2.0 MultiJet II pageAll versions and faults of the 1.6 and 2.0 MultiJet II

1.4 T-Jet

Fiat 1.4 T-Jet / MultiAir Turbo (familia FIRE 16v turbo) · Petrol

In the Tipo
2016–2020[11]
Name
1.4 T-Jet 120
Faults that affect it
2 · 1 of high or critical severity
Risk index on this car
43
Moderate risk

Verdict for the version it uses

  • 1.4 16v Turbo T-Jet (without MultiAir, 2007-2010)2007–2010 · 120–165 hp

    With caution

    We have not found reports documenting widespread faults specific to this first series without MultiAir, but it shares its turbocharger and block with the later series: the reliability pages we consulted for models with this engine (including the Fiat Tipo, which uses the non-MultiAir version) repeatedly document turbo wear and oil consumption. It is worth checking the service history before buying.[11][12][13]

Faults that affect the Tipo

Only those that affect the versions and years that this car used. The 1.4 T-Jet has 4 documented faults in total.

  1. High severityFrequency: CommonTurboPremature turbocharger failure or wearOn the Fiat 500X, Fiat Tipo, Jeep Renegade and Jeep Compass there are recurring reports of turbocharger failure, sometimes at very low mileage (from 15,000 km); the manufacturer has offered occasional goodwill discounts, but there is no official campaign.Repair: €1,100–€2,300Appears at around 15,000 km
  2. Medium severityFrequency: CommonLubricationHigh oil consumptionThe Fiat 500X, Fiat Tipo, Alfa Romeo MiTo and Giulietta have accumulated reports of above-normal oil consumption, in some cases up to 1 litre per 1,000 km; keep an eye on the level between services and do not wait for the warning light.Appears at around 60,000 km

Tipo 1.4 T-Jet pageAll versions and faults of the 1.4 T-Jet

1.0 T3 and 1.3 T4 FireFly Turbo

FCA/Stellantis FireFly Turbo GSE 1.0 T3 and 1.3 T4 (incl. 4xe) · Petrol

In the Tipo
since 2018[14][15]
Name
1.0 FireFly Turbo 100 CV
Faults that affect it
1
Risk index on this car
7
Low risk

Verdict for the version it uses

  • 1.0 GSE T3 Turbo 100-120 hp (FireFly, since 2018)since 2018 · 100–120 hp

    With caution

    There are owner accounts of jerking, loss of power and replacement of the MultiAir block in the Fiat 500X and Jeep Renegade; these are isolated cases, but check the engine's fault history before buying.[15][16]

Faults that affect the Tipo

  1. Medium severityFrequency: RareIntakeJerking and MultiAir block failures on the 1.0 T3Owners of the Fiat 500X and Jeep Renegade with the 1.0 T3 describe jerking, loss of power and stalling; in one case it was resolved by replacing the entire MultiAir block. These are isolated accounts, not a systemic defect.

Tipo 1.0 T3 and 1.3 T4 FireFly Turbo pageAll versions and faults of the 1.0 T3 and 1.3 T4 FireFly Turbo

0.9 TwinAir and 1.0/1.3 FireFly

Safest option

Fiat 0.9 TwinAir and 1.0/1.3 FireFly (GSE) · Petrol

In the Tipo
since 2018[14][17]
Name
1.0 FireFly 100 CV
Faults that affect it
1
Risk index on this car
7
Low risk

Verdict for the version it uses

  • The reports available for the Jeep Renegade and Fiat 500X document mainly electronic problems (Start&Stop, display) and the odd case of oil consumption or loss of power after a service, with no serious or recurring mechanical pattern.[1][2]

Faults that affect the Tipo

Only those that affect the versions and years that this car used. The 0.9 TwinAir and 1.0/1.3 FireFly has 5 documented faults in total.

  1. Low severityFrequency: OccasionalElectronicsStart&Stop system faultsThe Start&Stop system can stop working or become unreliable: there are cases in the Fiat Panda III and the Fiat Punto (unusable from 40,000 km) with the 0.9 TwinAir, and in the Jeep Renegade with the 1.0 GSE T3 Turbo. It does not affect normal driving, but the electrical system is worth checking.

Tipo 0.9 TwinAir and 1.0/1.3 FireFly pageAll versions and faults of the 0.9 TwinAir and 1.0/1.3 FireFly

Faults of the Fiat Tipo outside the engine

Suspension, brakes, tyres, electronics and the rest of the car. They occur with any engine.

Checklist for buying a used Fiat Tipo

Check the advert or the paperwork to see which engine the car has and go through its section. Each point comes from a documented fault; you can tick them off as you inspect.

If it has the 1.3 Multijet (2015–2024)

Timing chain stretch and tensioner failure

Critical severity

Incomplete particulate filter regenerations and oil dilution

High severity

Seized variable-geometry turbo

High severity

Injector and high-pressure pump wear from contaminated fuel

High severity

EGR valve blocked by soot

Medium severity

If it has the 1.6 and 2.0 MultiJet II (since 2015)

Saturated diesel particulate filter (DPF) from incomplete regenerations

High severity

Early tensioner wear and risk of timing belt failure

Critical severity

EGR valve blocked by soot in urban use

Medium severity

Injector faults and DPF particulate sensor failure

Medium severity

Dual-mass flywheel wear in manual versions

Medium severity

If it has the 1.4 T-Jet (2016–2020)

Premature turbocharger failure or wear

High severity

High oil consumption

Medium severity

If it has the 1.0 T3 and 1.3 T4 FireFly Turbo (since 2018)

Jerking and MultiAir block failures on the 1.0 T3

Medium severity

If it has the 0.9 TwinAir and 1.0/1.3 FireFly (since 2018)

Start&Stop system faults

Low severity

Buying a Fiat Tipo?

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Frequently asked questions

Is the Fiat Tipo reliable?

We have documented 5 engines for the Fiat Tipo; the 1.3 Multijet, the 1.6 and 2.0 MultiJet II and the 1.4 T-Jet have high or critical severity faults. The safest option is the 0.9 TwinAir and 1.0/1.3 FireFly, with a «Buy» verdict. The Fiat Tipo (2015-present) has accumulated several safety campaigns outside the engine: the airbag control unit (2021), the brittleness of certain wheels (2022) and, on Hybrid versions, the MHEV system battery (2023). Owner testimonies with manual gearboxes also describe premature clutch wear from around 38,000 km.

Which Fiat Tipo engine is the most reliable?

Among the 5 engines we have documented, the safest option is the 0.9 TwinAir and 1.0/1.3 FireFly, with a «Buy» verdict. The reports available for the Jeep Renegade and Fiat 500X document mainly electronic problems (Start&Stop, display) and the odd case of oil consumption or loss of power after a service, with no serious or recurring mechanical pattern.[1][2]

What problems does the Fiat Tipo have apart from the engine?

The Fiat Tipo (2015-present) has accumulated several safety campaigns outside the engine: the airbag control unit (2021), the brittleness of certain wheels (2022) and, on Hybrid versions, the MHEV system battery (2023). Owner testimonies with manual gearboxes also describe premature clutch wear from around 38,000 km. The most important documented faults are: potentially faulty airbag control unit (April 2021 campaign) (airbags and safety, critical severity), abnormal brittleness in the wheels of certain cars (March 2022 campaign) (tyres and wheels, critical severity), risk of overheating of the MHEV system battery (2023 campaign) (electrical system, critical severity) and steering wheel airbag wiring badly routed on the Fiat Tipo (2015-2016 campaign) (airbags and safety, critical severity).[3][4]

What faults does the Fiat Tipo have?

The most important by severity and frequency, on the engines we have documented, are: timing chain stretch and tensioner failure (1.3 Multijet, critical severity), incomplete particulate filter regenerations and oil dilution (1.3 Multijet, high severity), saturated diesel particulate filter (DPF) from incomplete regenerations (1.6 and 2.0 MultiJet II, high severity), premature turbocharger failure or wear (1.4 T-Jet, high severity) and early tensioner wear and risk of timing belt failure (1.6 and 2.0 MultiJet II, critical severity).

What is the best year to buy a Fiat Tipo?

According to our rating by year, the best are 2026, 2025 and 2024 (7.9/10); the worst rated is 2015 (5.9/10). Each year's rating counts only the engines sold that year and the faults that affect those units: open each year to see what changes.

Does the Fiat Tipo have recalls?

Yes: we have documented 4 campaigns for the Fiat Tipo, such as mild-hybrid (MHEV) system battery check (2023). Check with your VIN at the official service centre whether yours has been done.[3]

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. Fiabilité et pannes du Jeep RenegadeFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  2. Fiabilité et pannes de la Fiat 500XFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  3. Fiabilité Fiat Tipo : pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  4. Fiat Tipo (2016)Wikipedia (es) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  5. Moteur Fiat 1.3 MultiJetWikipédia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  6. Fiat 1.3 JTD/Multijet: corrente folgada e entupimento dos canais de lubrificaçãoProvmec · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Portuguese
  7. 1.3 CDTi Opel (Z13DT) Multijet: ficha técnica, problemas y tuningMotordinámico · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  8. Fiat JTD engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  9. Fiat Tipo: problemas, fallos y averías más frecuentesTotalrenting · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  10. Jeep Renegade: problemas, fallos y averías más frecuentesTotalrenting · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  11. Fiat Tipo : les plus et les moinsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  12. Fiat Bravo (2007-2014) : les plus et les moinsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  13. Fiat 500 (2007) : les plus et les moinsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  14. Fiat Global Small EngineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026
  15. Fiabilité Fiat: témoignages de propriétairesfiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026 · in French
  16. Fiabilité Jeep: témoignages de propriétairesfiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026 · in French
  17. Fiabilité et pannes de la Fiat TipoFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  18. Fiat 1.3 Multijet: ficha técnica, problemas y tuningMotordinámico · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  19. Quando sostituire la catena di distribuzione sul 1.3 Multijet: riconoscere i sintomiRettifica Pompeo · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Italian
  20. Fiat 1.3 Multijet: problemas, fallos y averías más frecuentesTotalrenting · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  21. FIAT 500 1.3 MultiJet II: EGR Valve Problems and How to Fix ThemAutoricambi Tritella · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026
  22. Jeep Compass: problemas, fallos y averías más frecuentesTotalrenting · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  23. Fiat Doblò: problemas, fallos y averías más frecuentesTotalrenting · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  24. Jeep Renegade (seit 2014) – Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · published 2 March 2025 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  25. Fiat 500X : les plus et les moinsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French