does sound like the power steering motor ,but make sure the battery alternator are 100% as a poor battery /charging system can give similar symptoms ,though most likely the motor ,think they retail at roughly £700,from what i have heard
phil
November 2010
This is a common fault with this model as I've discovered. Fiat know about the problem, so when you take it into the agent don't believe them if they say it's an isolated problem. Here in New Zealand one agent told me they had been replacing them on nearly every one they'd sold new. The problem is in the electric power steering pump. If the car is out of warranty see if Fiat will stump up for the parts cost which is very high. If they won't there is a company in England called BBA-Reman that will repair the unit at a reasonable cost. This is what I did. My '06 car had only travelled 25000km. May I suggest that you do as I did and fix the car and then sell it and buy something better made with better service back-up than Fiat provide.