Fiat Ducato Series 8 & 9spd autobox
Discussion
Hi guys - got an open thread in Commercials Chat which hasn't had any traction. Wonder if any of you guys can shed any light on experiences with the series 8 X290 Ducato on a heavy chassis (5.4t) with the 2.2l engine (180bhp) and ZF 9spd gearbox?
I bought my brand new Dethleffs XL Family back in March 2025. Back in May I took it back to the supplying dealer as I was concerned the engine & gearbox was labouring between 2,100-2,800rpm, particularly in 4th and 5th gear under load. The dealer testdrove it, scanned the OBD and said it drove like they all do and found no error messages. They did a 6926 upgrade bulletin remap which evidently addresses a known issue with a torque mismatch between torque converter and 2.2l engine and sent me on my way.
About 600miles and a month later, I get a Check Transmission warning light, followed by Transmission Fluid Overheating message and Fault Code P1DB7 (Torque Converter) read by Roadside Tech. It's now with a Fiat Professional Workshop (who I trust).
I know there are a number of threads on the internet of issues but want to check how widespread a problem it is. Supplying dealer reckons that it's all been blown out of proportion and a small amount of cases get disproportionate amount of attention. Could be the case but wanted to check views and experiences.
To say I'm deeply disappointed is an understatement. Particularly given I've stayed clear of Fiats all my motorhoming career and now, with no other choice of chassis, I have this experience early on in my ownership.
I bought my brand new Dethleffs XL Family back in March 2025. Back in May I took it back to the supplying dealer as I was concerned the engine & gearbox was labouring between 2,100-2,800rpm, particularly in 4th and 5th gear under load. The dealer testdrove it, scanned the OBD and said it drove like they all do and found no error messages. They did a 6926 upgrade bulletin remap which evidently addresses a known issue with a torque mismatch between torque converter and 2.2l engine and sent me on my way.
About 600miles and a month later, I get a Check Transmission warning light, followed by Transmission Fluid Overheating message and Fault Code P1DB7 (Torque Converter) read by Roadside Tech. It's now with a Fiat Professional Workshop (who I trust).
I know there are a number of threads on the internet of issues but want to check how widespread a problem it is. Supplying dealer reckons that it's all been blown out of proportion and a small amount of cases get disproportionate amount of attention. Could be the case but wanted to check views and experiences.
To say I'm deeply disappointed is an understatement. Particularly given I've stayed clear of Fiats all my motorhoming career and now, with no other choice of chassis, I have this experience early on in my ownership.
Spuffington said:
Hi guys - got an open thread in Commercials Chat which hasn't had any traction. Wonder if any of you guys can shed any light on experiences with the series 8 X290 Ducato on a heavy chassis (5.4t) with the 2.2l engine (180bhp) and ZF 9spd gearbox?
I bought my brand new Dethleffs XL Family back in March 2025. Back in May I took it back to the supplying dealer as I was concerned the engine & gearbox was labouring between 2,100-2,800rpm, particularly in 4th and 5th gear under load. The dealer testdrove it, scanned the OBD and said it drove like they all do and found no error messages. They did a 6926 upgrade bulletin remap which evidently addresses a known issue with a torque mismatch between torque converter and 2.2l engine and sent me on my way.
About 600miles and a month later, I get a Check Transmission warning light, followed by Transmission Fluid Overheating message and Fault Code P1DB7 (Torque Converter) read by Roadside Tech. It's now with a Fiat Professional Workshop (who I trust).
I know there are a number of threads on the internet of issues but want to check how widespread a problem it is. Supplying dealer reckons that it's all been blown out of proportion and a small amount of cases get disproportionate amount of attention. Could be the case but wanted to check views and experiences.
To say I'm deeply disappointed is an understatement. Particularly given I've stayed clear of Fiats all my motorhoming career and now, with no other choice of chassis, I have this experience early on in my ownership.
Haven't really seen anything like this, is it the 25MY base vehicle? We don't really see many 'vans over 3500/3850KG here. Should be the 8 speed which may be sourced from Toyota/Aisin I believe (correct me if im wrong!), which does drive quite differently.I bought my brand new Dethleffs XL Family back in March 2025. Back in May I took it back to the supplying dealer as I was concerned the engine & gearbox was labouring between 2,100-2,800rpm, particularly in 4th and 5th gear under load. The dealer testdrove it, scanned the OBD and said it drove like they all do and found no error messages. They did a 6926 upgrade bulletin remap which evidently addresses a known issue with a torque mismatch between torque converter and 2.2l engine and sent me on my way.
About 600miles and a month later, I get a Check Transmission warning light, followed by Transmission Fluid Overheating message and Fault Code P1DB7 (Torque Converter) read by Roadside Tech. It's now with a Fiat Professional Workshop (who I trust).
I know there are a number of threads on the internet of issues but want to check how widespread a problem it is. Supplying dealer reckons that it's all been blown out of proportion and a small amount of cases get disproportionate amount of attention. Could be the case but wanted to check views and experiences.
To say I'm deeply disappointed is an understatement. Particularly given I've stayed clear of Fiats all my motorhoming career and now, with no other choice of chassis, I have this experience early on in my ownership.
Hopefully your tame Fiat Professional agent will update you.
Thanks.
Mine is the very last of the series 8 with the 9spd XF. The van was coming in to stock as I was beginning to search and although I was considering holding off for the new Aisin 8spd box, I was told that the 9spd ZF was a known quantity had the 8spd was untested. I fell for it and the emotion of getting the van sooner. And here we are!
Mine is the very last of the series 8 with the 9spd XF. The van was coming in to stock as I was beginning to search and although I was considering holding off for the new Aisin 8spd box, I was told that the 9spd ZF was a known quantity had the 8spd was untested. I fell for it and the emotion of getting the van sooner. And here we are!
Thanks chaps.
From what I've read, it seems the early ZF 9spd boxes failing on the 2.3l engines were down to underfilled gearbox fluid from factory. However, this now seems to be replaced with a mismatching torque output from the 2.2l.
It seems that the last of the 2.3l with ZF 9spd are the most reliable once the transmission fluid issue was resolved. Which is ironic really, since we didn't buy a Burstner 747 on one of these because of issues with AdBlue!
A minefield!
From what I've read, it seems the early ZF 9spd boxes failing on the 2.3l engines were down to underfilled gearbox fluid from factory. However, this now seems to be replaced with a mismatching torque output from the 2.2l.
It seems that the last of the 2.3l with ZF 9spd are the most reliable once the transmission fluid issue was resolved. Which is ironic really, since we didn't buy a Burstner 747 on one of these because of issues with AdBlue!
A minefield!
So not yet had it fully in writing but high probability according to FIAT workshop that it will need a new gearbox. They’re just waiting for confirmation & signoff from Stellantis/FIAT.
Both annoyed beyond belief and happy that at least I’m not being fobbed off with “its just a sensor” or “they all do that sir”. But I’d be lying if my thoughts hadn’t turned to rejection since I’m not sure how I’m going to build trust with it again and the nagging feeling that a 3m old vehicle shouldn’t need a new gearbox.
Both annoyed beyond belief and happy that at least I’m not being fobbed off with “its just a sensor” or “they all do that sir”. But I’d be lying if my thoughts hadn’t turned to rejection since I’m not sure how I’m going to build trust with it again and the nagging feeling that a 3m old vehicle shouldn’t need a new gearbox.
At the start of the week I got a note from Premium telling me that it wasn't 100% signed off but they believed a new gearbox would be required. Since then, nothing. Premium have been on to Fiat daily for an update but nothing has progressed. In parallel I emailed Travelworld to ask them (as the retailer of the vehicle) to apply maximum pressure on Fiat UK from their side. And in the process disagreed with their assertion that "mechanical failures can happen at any time". Since then, no reply.
I have raised a case with Fiat UK Customer Services - they responded today saying they had looked into the case but were unable to provide an ETA on when parts would be available. And I have also been spamming Travelworld & Dethleffs Facebook adverts with complaints. Finally Dethleffs asked me to send details into their HQ Customer Services so I've done so, including complaining at Travelworld's lackadaisical attitude to aftersales. We'll see what happens, but I doubt very much at this stage.
So - where does that leave us?
Facebook Ducato Owners Club seems to refer to up to 2,500 gearboxes on back order. I spoke with a friend of mine who works for a large motorhome dealers who confirmed problem is widespread. And I had a good nosey through a German Ducato forum (sometimes it helps to be bilingual!) and found countless threads on similar symptoms to mine (i.e. the initial ones back in May) which led to not one, or two but in some cases vehicles being on their third gearbox!!
Up until this point, my wife has been resolute that we should give the fix a go. Upon hearing of the problems across Europe with this gearbox, she's now becoming more aligned with me and that we should be pressing to reject the van. It breaks my heart (and my bank balance) since we've had so many hopes and dreams for this van, not to mention just having dropped £3k on new electrics. But the issues are multiple:
- no-one seems able to guarantee that a new gearbox is a longterm solution;
- no-one is able to give me any idea whatsoever as to when the vehicle might be back on the road;
- whatever Travelworld say, this is a major failure of a major component, therefore under Consumer Rights laws, it would qualify for rejection;
- I believe with the high incidence of failure, the transmission is unfit for purpose; and,
- I really don't know how I could ever trust it again knowing the foregoing.
As far as I understand it, I am eligible to receive a replacement vehicle or a refund subject to a fair use deduction. At this stage, I would push for the replacement (like for like) vehicle; all the new ones should have the 8spd Aisin gearbox (which is what I had hankered after originally) but Travelworld Salesman talked me into the purchase with the following, now laughable line: "We have no first- hand experience of the new gearbox so cannot really comment, however the ZF 9 speed is an excellent proven unit from one of the world s leading automotive component manufacturers!"
I think I probably need to see if I get anything further from Fiat UK & Dethleffs today. But I think our minds are made up.
I have raised a case with Fiat UK Customer Services - they responded today saying they had looked into the case but were unable to provide an ETA on when parts would be available. And I have also been spamming Travelworld & Dethleffs Facebook adverts with complaints. Finally Dethleffs asked me to send details into their HQ Customer Services so I've done so, including complaining at Travelworld's lackadaisical attitude to aftersales. We'll see what happens, but I doubt very much at this stage.
So - where does that leave us?
Facebook Ducato Owners Club seems to refer to up to 2,500 gearboxes on back order. I spoke with a friend of mine who works for a large motorhome dealers who confirmed problem is widespread. And I had a good nosey through a German Ducato forum (sometimes it helps to be bilingual!) and found countless threads on similar symptoms to mine (i.e. the initial ones back in May) which led to not one, or two but in some cases vehicles being on their third gearbox!!
Up until this point, my wife has been resolute that we should give the fix a go. Upon hearing of the problems across Europe with this gearbox, she's now becoming more aligned with me and that we should be pressing to reject the van. It breaks my heart (and my bank balance) since we've had so many hopes and dreams for this van, not to mention just having dropped £3k on new electrics. But the issues are multiple:
- no-one seems able to guarantee that a new gearbox is a longterm solution;
- no-one is able to give me any idea whatsoever as to when the vehicle might be back on the road;
- whatever Travelworld say, this is a major failure of a major component, therefore under Consumer Rights laws, it would qualify for rejection;
- I believe with the high incidence of failure, the transmission is unfit for purpose; and,
- I really don't know how I could ever trust it again knowing the foregoing.
As far as I understand it, I am eligible to receive a replacement vehicle or a refund subject to a fair use deduction. At this stage, I would push for the replacement (like for like) vehicle; all the new ones should have the 8spd Aisin gearbox (which is what I had hankered after originally) but Travelworld Salesman talked me into the purchase with the following, now laughable line: "We have no first- hand experience of the new gearbox so cannot really comment, however the ZF 9 speed is an excellent proven unit from one of the world s leading automotive component manufacturers!"
I think I probably need to see if I get anything further from Fiat UK & Dethleffs today. But I think our minds are made up.
The motor home and camping van world is littered with engine and gear box tales of woe.
The engines and gear boxes on these vehicles might as well be made of cheese.
It is a £100K+ purchase but the reality is that these vehicles use a builders van base and a luxury yacht body has been built around it.
The engines and gear boxes on these vehicles might as well be made of cheese.
It is a £100K+ purchase but the reality is that these vehicles use a builders van base and a luxury yacht body has been built around it.
Actual said:
The motor home and camping van world is littered with engine and gear box tales of woe.
The engines and gear boxes on these vehicles might as well be made of cheese.
It is a £100K+ purchase but the reality is that these vehicles use a builders van base and a luxury yacht body has been built around it.
But very few builder's vans come with an autobox!The engines and gear boxes on these vehicles might as well be made of cheese.
It is a £100K+ purchase but the reality is that these vehicles use a builders van base and a luxury yacht body has been built around it.
OP, have you checked up just how difficult/expensive it would be to convert to a six speed manual?
Would Fiat/converter/supplier help with cost?
Rough101 said:
It s bananas that Stellantis fit the ZF HP8 into all sorts of muscle cars, Ram pickups and Maseratis without trouble, yet they or ZF can t sort one out for a van, or are these FWD?
Yup. With a very tightly packaged engine bay.....I have a 16plate Boxer that throws turbo over boost for fun!
Put's into limp mode, so 45mph max... no fun on a euro two lane motorway.
I have just come across this thread and thought I’d reply as we have what I think is the same gearbox engine combo as the OP. Our motorhome is built around the 180hp fiat 2.2 diesel 9 speed auto. On a 4.4 ton chassis. It’s a 2024 model so assume the van side was originally built around 2023.
We’ve had it now for over a year and driven over 5000 miles around the UK.
We did have a recall earlier this year, January, where they had to check something around the engine bay and maybe a software update, sorry but I didn’t really go into it in detail as it’s all working okay.
The only problem I have with ours for the driving side is that it’s a bit more thirsty than I’d like at around 27 mpg, was hoping over 30 but that’s probably down to my heavy right foot…
. It actually pulls very well when overtaking and acceleration is surprisingly good too. It’s very happy sitting at 2000rpm. My previous motorhome had the Mercedes sprinter 9 speed auto which I thought was actually worse than this fiat one. Nobody says that so I must be a bit weird.
I’m only posting to say some do seem to work and sorry to hear about anyone having issues as these motorhomes are supposed to be happy places to use which ours is.
OP, hope you get a good outcome and keep pushing, me…. I’d reject it.
We’ve had it now for over a year and driven over 5000 miles around the UK.
We did have a recall earlier this year, January, where they had to check something around the engine bay and maybe a software update, sorry but I didn’t really go into it in detail as it’s all working okay.
The only problem I have with ours for the driving side is that it’s a bit more thirsty than I’d like at around 27 mpg, was hoping over 30 but that’s probably down to my heavy right foot…
. It actually pulls very well when overtaking and acceleration is surprisingly good too. It’s very happy sitting at 2000rpm. My previous motorhome had the Mercedes sprinter 9 speed auto which I thought was actually worse than this fiat one. Nobody says that so I must be a bit weird. I’m only posting to say some do seem to work and sorry to hear about anyone having issues as these motorhomes are supposed to be happy places to use which ours is.
OP, hope you get a good outcome and keep pushing, me…. I’d reject it.
BishBosh said:
I have just come across this thread and thought I d reply as we have what I think is the same gearbox engine combo as the OP. Our motorhome is built around the 180hp fiat 2.2 diesel 9 speed auto. On a 4.4 ton chassis. It s a 2024 model so assume the van side was originally built around 2023.
We ve had it now for over a year and driven over 5000 miles around the UK.
We did have a recall earlier this year, January, where they had to check something around the engine bay and maybe a software update, sorry but I didn t really go into it in detail as it s all working okay.
The only problem I have with ours for the driving side is that it s a bit more thirsty than I d like at around 27 mpg, was hoping over 30 but that s probably down to my heavy right foot. It actually pulls very well when overtaking and acceleration is surprisingly good too. It s very happy sitting at 2000rpm. My previous motorhome had the Mercedes sprinter 9 speed auto which I thought was actually worse than this fiat one. Nobody says that so I must be a bit weird.
I m only posting to say some do seem to work and sorry to hear about anyone having issues as these motorhomes are supposed to be happy places to use which ours is.
OP, hope you get a good outcome and keep pushing, me . I d reject it.
My six speed manual mapped out to 180bhp like the bigger 'maxi' vans is returning just 33mpg on a UK to Algarve run, I would expect the multi speed auto to equal or better that....We ve had it now for over a year and driven over 5000 miles around the UK.
We did have a recall earlier this year, January, where they had to check something around the engine bay and maybe a software update, sorry but I didn t really go into it in detail as it s all working okay.
The only problem I have with ours for the driving side is that it s a bit more thirsty than I d like at around 27 mpg, was hoping over 30 but that s probably down to my heavy right foot
. It actually pulls very well when overtaking and acceleration is surprisingly good too. It s very happy sitting at 2000rpm. My previous motorhome had the Mercedes sprinter 9 speed auto which I thought was actually worse than this fiat one. Nobody says that so I must be a bit weird. I m only posting to say some do seem to work and sorry to hear about anyone having issues as these motorhomes are supposed to be happy places to use which ours is.
OP, hope you get a good outcome and keep pushing, me . I d reject it.
tight fart said:
We bought our first motorhome 8 years ago, (Fiat) and still have it, we talk about replacing it all the time.
Currently on our way back from Croatia, my worry is spending £50k plus and then having a nightmare like this.
I m truly gutted for you.
My thoughts are the same. Mine has the Renault semi automatic gearbox and the frequent tales of woe around this was making me think of buying something newer with a torque convertor gearbox. Currently on our way back from Croatia, my worry is spending £50k plus and then having a nightmare like this.
I m truly gutted for you.
OP, sorry to hear things have not worked out so well with your purchase, I hope it gets sorted quickly.
So a small but positive update.
I spent the latter part of last week badgering all and sundry. Fiat U.K. / Stellantis, Dethleffs & Travelworld all received emails of complaint. Shamefully the only ones not replying with any seriousness was Travelworld who just responded with “your Service Advisor is on leave until next Weds, she’ll respond then”. Given this is way beyond the service desk at this point, I escalated to Head of Customer Service - then got an out of office referring to March!
Meanwhile Dethleffs has clearly spoken with Fiat and Fiat CS had been escalating internally also.
As a result of this, I received an update yesterday from Premium to say the gearbox was en route, arriving end this week. However the oil lines required were due 21/07. There is an outside hope that they could arrive sooner and Premium have undertaken to get everything fitted as soon as it’s received.
With this news in hand, a surprising wave of excitement came over myself and my wife (we’d already had tears from the two eldest kids about potentially getting rid of “Doug”) and thoughts immediately turned to our Austrian holiday.
Suffice to say, high risk strategy, but we’re going to give it a go (my repeated reading of Consumer Rights legislation makes me think I have to as well). Clearly if there’s the merest sign of the gearbox putting a foot wrong in future, we’ll activate the rejection process and I’ll happily spend money getting a lawyer involved. But let’s hope this solves it and we can get on with living what was supposed to be a dream (and had started out so positively).
Fingers crossed (y)
I spent the latter part of last week badgering all and sundry. Fiat U.K. / Stellantis, Dethleffs & Travelworld all received emails of complaint. Shamefully the only ones not replying with any seriousness was Travelworld who just responded with “your Service Advisor is on leave until next Weds, she’ll respond then”. Given this is way beyond the service desk at this point, I escalated to Head of Customer Service - then got an out of office referring to March!
Meanwhile Dethleffs has clearly spoken with Fiat and Fiat CS had been escalating internally also.As a result of this, I received an update yesterday from Premium to say the gearbox was en route, arriving end this week. However the oil lines required were due 21/07. There is an outside hope that they could arrive sooner and Premium have undertaken to get everything fitted as soon as it’s received.
With this news in hand, a surprising wave of excitement came over myself and my wife (we’d already had tears from the two eldest kids about potentially getting rid of “Doug”) and thoughts immediately turned to our Austrian holiday.
Suffice to say, high risk strategy, but we’re going to give it a go (my repeated reading of Consumer Rights legislation makes me think I have to as well). Clearly if there’s the merest sign of the gearbox putting a foot wrong in future, we’ll activate the rejection process and I’ll happily spend money getting a lawyer involved. But let’s hope this solves it and we can get on with living what was supposed to be a dream (and had started out so positively).
Fingers crossed (y)
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