Fiat Punto Recall R/2001/105: Unintended Deployment Of Air Bag, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Urgent
- How serious
- 17 Aug 2001
- Launched
- 5,168
- vehicles in the UK
- 4218
- Manufacturer’s campaign code
Fiat recalled Punto vehicles built between 1 January 1994 and 31 December 1995. Possible water ingress into the electronic control unit (ECU) could result in unintentional deployment of the drivers air bag and passengers air bag where fitted. The dealer will check for water ingress into the ECU and replace if necessary. You won't usually pay for it.1
What’s Wrong
Possible water ingress into the electronic control unit (ECU) could result in unintentional deployment of the drivers air bag and passengers air bag where fitted.
DVSA's Original Wording
Concern: UNINTENDED DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG Defect: Possible water ingress into the electronic control unit (ECU) could result in unintentional deployment of the drivers air bag and passengers air bag where fitted. Remedy: Recall affected vehicles check for water ingress into the ECU and replace if necessary. Fit water protection to the ECU in all cases.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
The Risk
If the fault occurs, the recall notice says it could result in unintentional deployment of the drivers air bag and passengers air bag where fitted.
The Fix
The dealer will check for water ingress into the ECU and replace if necessary.
Are You Affected?
Punto built between 1 January 1994 and 31 December 1995 may be included. Fiat estimates 5,168 vehicles in the UK. Enter your registration to check, then confirm by VIN with Fiat, because not every car in the date range may be included.
Which Car Is It?
Choose the make and model so we can match recalls to your car.
What To Do Now
- Check your car by registration above, then by VIN with Fiat.
- Book with any franchised Fiat dealer, quoting the campaign code 4218 or the DVSA reference R/2001/105. See how to get a Fiat recall fixed.
- Follow the letter's instructions until the repair is done. See can you drive a car with a recall?.
Related Recalls
| Launched | Vehicle and fault | Severity | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| PuntoFront seat belt pretensioner may malfunction during deployment | Urgent | R/2017/229 | |
| PuntoVehicle may roll away | Urgent | R/2014/005 | |
| 500, Doblo, Fiorino, Punto and 1 moreBraking efficiency may be reduced | Urgent | R/2012/139 | |
| Abarth, Punto, Punto GrandeFire may occur | Urgent | R/2011/023 | |
| 500, Abarth, Punto, Punto GrandeThe wrong airbag may deploy in a collision | Urgent | R/2010/117 |
This is one of 199 Fiat recalls in DVSA’s data. The Fiat recall launched before it was R/2001/086 on 1 Aug 2001, for corrosion of metal brake pipes. The one launched after it was R/2002/034 on 25 Mar 2002, for steering arms may break. You can also see every Fiat recall, all recalls launched in 2001 and airbag recalls across every make.
Source: DVSA recall R/2001/105, launched 17 August 2001. Data updated 15 October 2026. How we grade urgency.
Sources
- The Code does not itself say repairs are free. GOV.UK guidance says "You will not usually have to pay for any repairs or parts under a safety recall." gov.uk Checked 15 Oct 2026.