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Press Release

Fiat recalls Grande Punto after pressure from Which?

5 October 2006

Fiat has agreed to recall UK models of its Grande Punto supermini, which has been promoted for its high level of safety, after Which? exposed how drivers could suffer severe knee injuries in a crash.

Which? appealed for the recall last month after its inspectors uncovered a missing safety device in right-hand-drive models of the car.

Which? car safety inspectors found that a crucial metal plate in the steering column, fitted to European left-hand drive models, was missing from UK cars. The plate is designed to spread the load of a knee impact in the event of a serious frontal collision, reducing the risk of crippling knee injuries.

Without this plate the car would only receive a four-star Euro NCAP occupant protection score — not the maximum five stars, which Fiat has promoted in its advertising campaign.
After Which? alerted both Euro NCAP and Fiat, the manufacturer has agreed to recall and update all affected vehicles. Fiat has yet to tell Which? how many cars are affected or confirm relevant vehicle identification numbers (VINs), but this information will be published on which.co.uk as soon as it is available.
Malcolm Coles, editor, which.co.uk, says:

“We were particularly disappointed to find this problem on a car that’s been so heavily promoted on the strength of its crash safety.

“We’re very pleased that Fiat has agreed to modify affected UK models, but now it’s important that the company contacts owners as soon as possible so they’re not driving around in a car that’s not as safe as was claimed. We’ll be putting all the information Fiat gives us on our website.”



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