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Vehicle safety record

2015 Fiat 500E Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 11 complaints about the 2015 Fiat 500E with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system (8) and the fuel system (4). Those complaints describe 1 crash and 1 injury. It is covered by 2 recalls, the latest in May 2016 for the traction battery. For comparison, the 2014 has 16 and the 2016 has 4.

NHTSA data checked

CAbout as many problems as a typical 500E year, for its age

#219 most complained-about 2015 vehicle

Complaints
11
Recalls
2
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
1
Deaths
0

Most common 2015 Fiat 500E problems

Share of all 11 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

2015 Fiat 500E recalls 2

Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do

Electrical system: traction battery

16V30300016,584 vehicles affected

The problem
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Fiat 500e vehicles manufactured March 22, 2012, to January 29, 2016. The power inverter module (PIM) may experience voltage spikes which can cause the propulsion system to shut down and loss of motive power.
The risk
Loss of motive power can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the PIM software, free of charge. The recall began on July 5, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S26.

Electrical system: 12v / 24v / 48v battery

15V1790005,660 vehicles affected

The problem
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Fiat 500 EV vehicles manufactured March 27, 2012, to November 1, 2014. If the vehicle goes in to limp home mode, incompatible software between Electric Vehicle Control Unit (EVCU) and Battery Pack Control Module (BPCM) may cause the electric propulsion system to fully shut down.
The risk
An electric propulsion system shut down will cause a stall-like condition, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle software to ensure compatability between components, free of charge. The recall began on May 21, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R15.

What owners say

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11 complaints about the 2015 Fiat 500E

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.

Electrical system

The 2013-2017 fiat 500e charger port [the part mounted on the vehicle] is a weak plastic part that breaks easily while the vehicle is parked & being plugged/unplugged from vehicle chargers. Indications are that most break due to the action of plugging & unplugging the vehicle. It is also bolted to the body in a way that stresses the material further, causing it to break even easier. It is also mounted in a poorly conceived position that leaves it susceptible to damage by other vehicles, passing pedestrians &...

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bicyclists, hard to plug/unplug charge units, & more. Broken connectors cause wire harness damage which can lead to electrical shorts, fires [including battery pack fires], & electrocution. Without even inspecting the involved vehicle chrysler/fiat refuses to repair them under warranty, & instead dealers are quoting $1800-$4000 [depending on location] to replace the entire harness, not just the broken connector body, which ahs led many owners to ignore the problem or try 'creative' ways of getting by, like glues.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 11061050
Visibility & wipers

My sunroof exploded while driving on the freeway. As I was driving (with sunroof closed), a loud "boom" sounded. My first thought was something hit me. But I quickly realized my sunroof exploded. Cars behind me scattered as glass flew all over the freeway. This explosion was quite jarring, and under different circumstances, this could have caused an accident. Fortunately, that didn't happen. I contacted fiat chrysler, but they will not claim fault. Sunroofs don't explode. And if they do, it has to be a manufacturing flaw. Fiat chrysler needs to be held accountable for this before an incident like this causes some one to get hurt.

Filed Incident Visibility / wiperNHTSA 10990846
Electrical system

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 fiat 500e. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v303000 (electrical system). The part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact did not have access to a dealer to perform the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10938353
Electrical system

Faulty charger (electric car) causing power outlet to melt - fire hazard. Charger rated for 12a, outlet rated for 20a but it still melted it. Suspect bad electirical connection in charger plug resulting in heating of metal contact.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10937788
Electrical systemFuel system

Vehicle will not start following a evening charge. 12 Volt system drains and charging system does not function. Following morning vehicle is not movable and key will not be removable. You can try jumping the 12 volt system, but does not always work. If vehicle becomes functional you will get a host of error messages including propulsion system error requiring a return to dealership. Chrysler/fiat is aware of the problem and suggest to plug the vehicle in as normal and add a trickle charger under the hood to...

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the 12 volt system!!! This problem occurs at least once/week and fiat does not have a solution. Filed a complaint with customer care which agreed to do a software fix, but instead closed the order without contacting us and said they did not have a fix. Vehicle is stationary at the time of failure, but if it does recover, error messages will suggest returning the vehicle to a authorized service center. We are concerned that something will fail during motion. Attached is the last service record indicating chrysler/fiat is aware of the problem as well as the suggestion to add an additional charger to maintain the 12 volt system. Vehicle was towed again this morning due to same failure.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 10871043
Electrical system

Received a r20 safety recall notice for my 2015 fiat 500e regarding a problem with the evcu (electirc vehicle control unit) that may set a diagnostic trouble cod (dtc) that can result in a shift to neutral condition. This could cause a loss of motor power, increasing the risk of a crash. I called premier fiat of fremont 7 times over the course of 1-2 months and was never able to reach anyone in their service department to schedule an appointment. I left a message each time noting the safety recall, but still...

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no response. I am disappointed that a great sales experience was followed by a seriously unreliable service experience. Looks like I'll have to drive into the dealership unannounced at this point because phone calls to schedule an appointment apparently doesn't work here...And safety is at stake.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Unknown or otherNHTSA 10819444
Electrical systemEngine & coolingFuel system

On february 5, 2015 at 8:40 a.M. While driving south in the high speed lane at 55 mph on highway 101 from san rafael to san francisco, there was a total and catastrophic electrical failure and resulting zero motor power of my fiat 500e. I was able to coast the car to the shoulder area crossing four lanes of traffic. A fiat repair technician coincidentally appeared on the scene and offered assistance. I indicated I was unwilling to drive the car any further. He instead drove the fiat 500e and I drove his gasoline...

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fiat to the dealer in san francisco for repair. Dealership inspection and diagnosis indicated defective evcu. Dealer replaced evcu. On march 19, 2015 - evcu failure again; unable to change gears from park to drive with "not ready" and already in desired gear messages. Dealership discovered no fault code using scan tool. On may 26, 2015 service propulsion system warning light illuminated indicating malfunction with propulsion system. Dealership inspection revealed "code indicating battery positive circuit high resistance at b+ terminal and positive battery post at 0.11 V ok test fused b+ with test light; test pim case ground high resistance from pim case to battery ground; fault occurred once in snapshot data. Pim software update available and symptom/condition can cause problem; reprogram power inverter module to latest software." On june 23, 2015 r20 safety recall" and red plugged in indicator illustrated malfunction/interruption during vehicle charging process vehicle unable to charge to prior optimum level. Car brought to burlingame fiat dealership for flash evcu reprogramming/ updated software. On july 17, 2015 - service propulsion system warning light again appeared; unable to change gears; display indicated already in desired gear. On august 16, 2015 - already in desired gear; unable to change gears

Filed Incident Electrical system · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 10759005
AirbagsCrash1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 fiat 500e. While driving approximately 45 mph, the contact's vehicle was involved in a head on collision with another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained neck and chest injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to geico collision center. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vin was unavailable. The failure mileage was 600.

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 10734871
Electrical systemEngine & cooling

3 Days after driving my new fiat 500e which I am leasing , I began to notice extremely uncomfortable physical sensations. The only thing I can compare it to is taking on an old cellphone for a long period of time. It's a similar kind of feeling of power and radiation. I have taken at least 10 people for rides in the car. 3 Of them report similar sensations, without being prompted in any way while some are not aware of the the radiation. Effects/symptoms (partial list ) : head ache, tingling on face and...

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around ears ,pressure feeling in ears, pressure feeling in center of chest, foggy feeling in head, which continues for 15 to 60 minutes after driving. Notes: I have tested myself sitting in the car without it turned on for 30 minutes. There are no negative effects whatsoever. The symptoms are worse when: 1) the air conditioner is turned on 2) more acceleration is used, using more power. These are not due to the feeling of the air, or g force from acceleration. I have made sure to rule out both of these factors. I have stopped driving the car because it is not safe for me to drive. It had been tested as "normal" by fiat mechanics. There is nothing at all normal about this and something has to be done.

Filed Incident Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 10722097
Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemFuel system

Car suddenly lost power without warning and stalled in middle of road and had to be pushed to the side. Car was only 3 weeks old. Fiat chrysler has known about defect for years but choose to hide defect instead of recall/fixing. They did recall only after dumping hundreds in a group lease suspiciously days/week just before notifying nhtsa/dot of defect and problems. I've had the "fix" done and it didn't work !

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical system · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 10716792
Fuel system

Vehicle suddenly stopped, no more power, error message propulsion system service. Happened at a dangerous intersection, middle of turning left, which danger of other cars running into me. Could avoid an accident, pulled to side. Turned car off, 5 minutes later error was gone and car drove normally. Without error message. Exactly as described for previous recalls named p23. It appears that the problem has not been solved. Car is not safe to drive. *Tr

Filed Incident Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 10691351

Fiat 500E: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
20164100Electrical systemA
201511210Electrical systemC
201416320Electrical systemC
201316410Electrical systemC
All 500E years

2015 Fiat 500E vs rivals

VehicleComplaintsRecallsCrashesGrade
2015 Fiat 500E1121C
2015 Fiat 5009244FCompare
2015 Fiat 500 Abarth9004FCompare
2015 Fiat 500 Abarth Cabrio9004FCompare
2015 Fiat 500L2320DCompare

More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.

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Questions about the 2015 Fiat 500E

Does the 2015 Fiat 500E have any recalls?

Yes - NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2015 Fiat 500E: traction battery (May 2016); 12v / 24v / 48v battery (March 2015). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.

What are the most common problems with the 2015 Fiat 500E?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the electrical system (8), fuel system (4), engine & cooling (2).

How many complaints has the 2015 Fiat 500E had?

11 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on March 1, 2015 and the latest on January 7, 2018. Of these, 1 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 1 injury and 0 deaths.

Is the 2015 Fiat 500E a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 57 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Fiat 500E year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.

Which Fiat 500E years have the most complaints?
What should I do if my 2015 Fiat 500E has a problem?

If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.

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

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