1975 Fiat 131

The 1975 FIAT 131 has 4 recalls, the most serious involving drivetrain and transmission faults that can cause sudden loss of vehicle control with no warning.

Three of the four recalls center on the drivetrain and transmission. The driveshaft's front centering spline can wear from lack of lubrication, creating vibration that damages the rear transmission housing until the transmission jams and handling becomes unpredictable. Separately, the rear transmission bushing can fail during extended highway driving, which also carries a crash risk. These two issues share the same general area of the vehicle and can produce similar symptoms, but they involve different components and are covered under separate recalls. There is also a carburetor concern: the return spring on the throttle control lever can break, causing the throttle to stay open longer than it should after the driver lifts off the accelerator, leaving the engine pulling the car forward when the driver expects it to slow.

On the braking side, the rear rubber seal inside the brake master cylinder can wear out prematurely, allowing air into the hydraulic system. As air builds up, the brake pedal gradually travels farther before the brakes engage, reducing the vehicle's stopping ability over time. The rear brakes are not directly affected, but overall braking performance is diminished.