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2011-2019 · 9 model years

Fiat 500 Problems by year

Owners have filed 812 complaints about the Fiat 500 across 9 model years, and it has 7 recalls. The 2012 has the most complaints once its age is allowed for (396), while 2011, 2018 have far fewer than a typical year. The most reported problem area is the transmission & drivetrain, followed by the electrical system.

Most complaints for its age2012396 complaints · 4 recallsSee the 2012
Complaints
812
Recalls
7
Crashes
48
Fires
16
Injuries
38
Deaths
0

500 complaints by model year

Highlighted: the year with the most complaints for its age. Older vehicles have had more time to collect complaints - the Safety Index grade allows for that.

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
20190200-A
20185200BrakesA
201714220Electrical systemB
201614430Transmission & drivetrainC
201592443Transmission & drivetrainF
2014124497Transmission & drivetrainF
2013166492Transmission & drivetrainF
20123964214Transmission & drivetrainF
20111100BrakesA

Most common 500 problems

Fiat 500 recalls 7

Equipment: labels

16V66700032 vehicles affected

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2016 Fiat 500 vehicles manufactured June 11, 2015, to July 27, 2016. The tire placard on the affected vehicles lists a tire inflation pressure for the spare tire that exceeds the maximum pressure listed...

Latest 500 complaints

2013 Fiat 500Transmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2013 Fiat 500. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was determined that the shifter cable bushing had failed. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V817000 (Power Train); however, the failure recurred 25 miles later. Upon inspection, the contact became aware that the shifter cable bushing under the hood had detached again. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was repaired...

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with the part provided by the manufacturer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and initially informed the contact that a case was pending authorization for a loaner vehicle, tow truck service, and repair assistance; however, the dealer later informed the contact that the manufacturer had only agreed to cover the repair. The failure mileage was 117,627.

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 11773031
2013 Fiat 500Transmission & drivetrain

Gear cable broke. Automatic engine could not allow gears to shift. Would like for my vehicle to be included under NHTSA TECALL 19V-817. FCA Campaign Vb4.Fiat 500c 2012-13. MOPAR Fiat case #98205553.

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 11767713
2012 Fiat 500Transmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2012 Fiat 500. The contact stated that upon shifting the gear shifter into drive(D), park(P), or reverse(R), the transmission failed to shift into the intended gear and shifted into a different gear. The vehicle was towed to the dealer after each failure. The dealer repaired the vehicle under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V817000 (Power Train); however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure several times by phone and by an online complaint. Several cases were filed and the contact was referred to the dealer for assistance.

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 11765817
2017 Fiat 500Electrical systemEngine & cooling

The contact owns a 2017 Fiat 500. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the check engine, TPMS, and several unknown warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle was jerking and making an abnormal sound. The failure was recurrent. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who was unable to duplicate or determine the cause of the failure. The dealer was contacted by phone. The failure mileage was approximately 15,873.

Filed Incident Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11764697
2012 Fiat 500Other & unknown

I am filing a complaint concerning a recurring gear shift failure in my 2012 fiat 500c. The same failure has occurred three times between June 10 and September 8, 2026. On June 10, 2026 I was able to move shift lever but the transmission remained in reverse and would not shift into another gear despite multiple attempts. I did not know what the cause or problem was and had no knowledge that it might be related to a safety recall. I had vehicle towed to an independent repair shop who subsequently diagnosed a faulty...

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gear shifter and replaced it and this restored the vehicles operation. The shop was able to replace the faulty part and the car was returned to me on June 12, 2026. On August 21, 2026the same failure occurred again. I was able to move the shifter but the transmission remained in neutral regardless of the selected shifter position and I had to push the vehicle onto the side of the road. Again the vehicle was undriveable and was towed to an authorized dealership who diagnosed a faulty gear shifter. The dealership performed the repair under safety recall VB4/NHTSA recall 19V-817 concerning the gear shifter cable adjust/bushing. The dealership then returned the vehicle to me as repaired on September 4, 2026. The vehicle sat parked for the following 3 days and was operated on September 8, 2026. On September 8, 2026 the exact same failure occurred a third time and after the authorized dealership completed the recall repaired. The gearshift lever moved, but the transmission would not change gears and the indicator remained in drive. The vehicle was again undriveable and had to be towed back to the dealership. Stellantis/FCAopened several case numbers and a case manager informed me the dealership would not be able to inspect the vehicle for 8 days. I was also informed that Stellantis/FCAand the dealership would not provide rental or alternate transportation assistance while the disabled vehicle awaited inspection.

Filed Incident Unknown or otherNHTSA 11763425
2012 Fiat 500Transmission & drivetrain

The clutch went out while downshifting upon making a turn onto a street. The gear shift became wobbly and would not shift into any gear. This happened without warning. Minutes before, my passenger and I were driving across town on a freeway.

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 11737416

Questions about the Fiat 500

Which Fiat 500 years have the most problems?

By the number of complaints owners filed with NHTSA: 2012 (396), 2013 (166), 2014 (124). Allowing for how long each has been on the road, the 2012 stands out most. Complaint counts also rise with sales, so compare years of the same model rather than different models.

Which Fiat 500 years have the fewest complaints?

Among model years that have been on the road for at least three years, 2011, 2019, 2018 have the best Safety Index - the fewest complaints, crashes and recalls for their age compared with other 500 years. Always check the exact vehicle's recalls by VIN before you buy.

What are the most common Fiat 500 problems?

Across every model year, owners report problems with the transmission & drivetrain (391), electrical system (136), engine & cooling (112) most often.

How many recalls does the Fiat 500 have?

NHTSA lists 7 recalls across all Fiat 500 model years. Each year's page lists the recalls for that year; check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether the repair has been done.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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