Skip to content
MotorFiable
en

C510

Dualogic 5-speed (2003-present) gearbox: faults and reliability

Fiat Dualogic (Magneti Marelli) — en Lancia, D.F.N. version

With caution

There is no systemic fault acknowledged by the manufacturer, but owner testimonies repeatedly document jerking and an interruption of drive on every gearchange (inherent to the design of a single clutch), as well as minority cases of clutches worn out early and of actuator or hydraulic pressure faults that make the gearbox drop into neutral on its own while driving; the car should be thoroughly test-driven, weighing whether the driving comfort, very different from a conventional automatic, is worth its low cost.[1][2]

Years
since 2003
Power
No data
Faults that affect it
2
1 of high or critical severity
Cars that use it
9
in our database

14 sourcesHow we work

What changes in this version

This page documents a single version because the sources consulted do not describe distinct hardware generations with names of their own, unlike other dual-clutch gearboxes: it is the same mechanical base (a 5-speed manual gearbox) with an electrohydraulic actuator, first fitted to the Fiat Panda (2004) and Grande Punto (2005), extended to the Fiat 500 (2007) and Doblò (2010), adopted by Lancia under the name D.F.N. on the Ypsilon (from 2003) and renamed Comfort-Matic on the Fiat Qubo/Fiorino vans from 2016.[3][4][5][6][7][8][9]

Engine codes of this version: C510.

Faults of the C510 gearbox

The documented engine faults that affect this version and its years, from most to least important.

  1. 1High severityFrequency: OccasionalElectronicsActuator or hydraulic pressure fault: the gearbox drops into neutral on its own or refuses gearsYes: when the actuator, the position sensor or the electrohydraulic control pressure stop validating the engaged gear, the Dualogic can drop into neutral on its own while driving or refuse to engage gears. Several cases are documented, some described as very dangerous, on a bend or when leaving a motorway.
  2. 2Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalClutchPremature wear or breakage of the Dualogic clutchThe Dualogic clutch can wear out or break sooner than expected: there are documented cases of a failed clutch ("HS") at 27,000 km on a Fiat 500 0.9 TwinAir and of breakage at 35,000 km on a 1.2, far below the usual life of a clutch.Appears at around 27,000 km

Cars fitted with the C510 gearbox

Open each car to see all its faults with this engine and what to check before buying it.

Fiat

  • Fiat 5001.2 69 CV Dualogic · 1.4 100 CV Dualogic · 0.9 TwinAir 85 CV Dualogic2007–2024[5][10]
  • Fiat Panda II1.2 60 CV Dualogic2004–2010[4]
  • Fiat Panda III1.2 Dualogicsince 2012[11]
  • Fiat Punto III77 CV gasolina Dualogic (Grande Punto, desde 2005) · 90 CV diésel Dualogic (Grande Punto, desde 2005) · 1.4 Fire 8V 77 CV Start&Stop Dualogic (Punto Evo/Punto) · 1.3 Multijet 16V 90 CV Dualogic (Punto Evo) · 1.3 Multijet 16V 95 CV Start&Stop Dualogic (Punto Evo) · 1.3 Multijet 16V 85 CV Dualogic (Punto, desde 2012)2005–2018[6]
  • Fiat Punto IIDualogic2003[12]
  • Fiat Doblò II1.4 95 CV Dualogic2010–2022[7]
  • Fiat Qubo1.3 JTDm Dualogic · 1.3 Multijet Comfort-Matic (desde 2016)2008–2019[8][13]

Lancia

Frequently asked questions

Is the C510 gearbox reliable?

Our verdict is “With caution”. There is no systemic fault acknowledged by the manufacturer, but owner testimonies repeatedly document jerking and an interruption of drive on every gearchange (inherent to the design of a single clutch), as well as minority cases of clutches worn out early and of actuator or hydraulic pressure faults that make the gearbox drop into neutral on its own while driving; the car should be thoroughly test-driven, weighing whether the driving comfort, very different from a conventional automatic, is worth its low cost.[1][2]

What faults does the C510 gearbox have?

The documented ones that affect this version, by importance: actuator or hydraulic pressure fault: the gearbox drops into neutral on its own or refuses gears (high severity) and premature wear or breakage of the Dualogic clutch (medium severity).

Which cars use the C510 gearbox?

Fiat 500 (2007–2024), Fiat Panda II (2004–2010), Fiat Panda III (since 2012), Fiat Punto III (2005–2018), Fiat Punto II (2003), Fiat Doblò II (2010–2022), Fiat Qubo (2008–2019), Lancia Ypsilon II (2003–2011) and Lancia Ypsilon III (2011–2024).[4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14]

Are you buying a car with the C510 gearbox?

We will put you in touch with a partner only if you authorise it in the form.

Do you have a car with this engine? Tell us which faults you have had and at how many kilometres. Report your fault.

Sources

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

  1. Fiabilité et pannes de la Fiat 500Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  2. Fiat 500 (ab 2007) – alle bekannten Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 24 November 2023 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  3. DualogicWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  4. Fiat PandaWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  5. Fiat 500 (2007)Wikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  6. Fiat PuntoWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  7. Fiat DobloWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  8. Fiat FiorinoWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  9. Lancia YpsilonWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  10. Fiat 500 (2007)Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  11. Fiat PandaWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  12. Fiat PuntoWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  13. Fiat QuboWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  14. Lancia YpsilonWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish