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Electrical system

Fiat 500X Electrical problems by year

61 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Fiat 500X's electrical system. Dead batteries, warning lights, wiring, alternators, infotainment and electronic module failures.

Electrical complaints by model year

YearElectrical complaintsCrashesInjuriesRecalls
20201000
20185001
20177000
201648000

Electrical recalls

Latest 500X electrical complaints

2017 Fiat 500XElectrical systemLights

Both rearview lights stopped working, when I took my car to the shop, they said the component piece that the wires go into had melted through so had to get all new parts installed.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lightingNHTSA 11775649
2017 Fiat 500XElectrical system

1. The Body Control Module (BCM) failed internally. The dealership diagnosed the BCM as having an internal failure and replaced it. The original BCM was removed during the repair, so I do not know whether it is still available for inspection. 2. The vehicle became underivable & I was unable to shut the vehicle off. Multiple electrical functions stopped working, including the power windows & the steering wheel was frozen. IAAA dispatched a...

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specialty tow truck, & the tow operator was also unable to shut the vehicle off. The vehicle had to be towed to the dealership with the engine running. The vehicle was also leaking fluid at the time. I was concerned about the inability to shut the vehicle off and the loss of normal vehicle functions creating a safety hazard. 3. Yes. The Fiat dealership inspected the vehicle and diagnosed an internal failure of the Body Control Module & replaced the BCM. After replacement, the dealership identified a separate problem with the RF Hub. 4. The vehicle was inspected by the Fiat dealership. It was also handled by AAA roadside assistance and a specialty tow operator (not police or insurance rep.). 5. Prior to the vehicle becoming undrivable, the exterior lights and blinker activated on their own overnight while the vehicle was parked, which drained the battery. After AAA replaced the battery, multiple electrical functions were not working, including the power windows, and the steering wheel was frozen. At that point the vehicle could not be driven or shut off.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 11773413
2016 Fiat 500XElectrical systemEngine & cooling

3 times my car had died going under 30 mph, it must turns off or goes into this neutral position and won't let me change gears, when i restart it, the engine makes an awful squealing sound. all these "drive mode unavailable " "check esc system" "service electronic brake" it seems it is related to the S55 / 16V529000 safety defect .... "intermittent switch to neutral while driving"

Filed Incident Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11744651
2016 Fiat 500XBrakesElectrical system

The contact owns a 2016 Fiat 500X. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle using the Push-to-Start button, the engine failed to crank or start. The vehicle was started after the fifteenth attempt. Additionally, the contact stated that the brake pedal was extremely firm and difficult to depress while attempting to start the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but the cause of the failure was not determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000.

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulic · Electrical systemNHTSA 11744260
2016 Fiat 500XTransmission & drivetrainElectrical systemFuel system

I was driving vehicle and it all of a sudden get stuck in gear in either park gear or some other gear that wont allow me to turn engine off. Sometimes it just slow down to a stop and will not go into gear again for a while or appears the gears are not engaging putting me at risk for accident on highway. Once it slowed down in traffic and I nearly got hit trying to drive it off the highway. The gears were not engaging putting me at risk of many vehicles hitting me. I was praying someone noticed I had car trouble to slow down as I was no longer in full control of vehicle. After some

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical system · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11737019
2016 Fiat 500XTransmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine & cooling

The contact owns a 2016 Fiat 500X. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission unintendedly shifted from drive(D) to neutral(N). The RPM became elevated; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. While driving approximately 15 - 20 MPH, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. While in LIMP Mode, the contact coasted to the side of the road and waited for several minutes before continuing to drive. The failure had occurred twice. Additionally, the check engine warning light...

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illuminated intermittently. The vehicle had been taken to a certified mechanic, who determined that the transmission had failed and needed to be rebuilt. The dealer also diagnosed that there was a failure with the instrument cluster. The instrument cluster lights were cleared; however, the transmission was not repaired. The check engine warning light remained illuminated. The contact was made aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V529000 (Power Train), for the transmission for the same year, make, and model. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 144,000.

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11710295
2016 Fiat 500XElectrical systemEngine & cooling

I am writing to you in regard to my 2016 FIAT 500X about multiple concerns. 1. There has been an open recall on the Emissions system since 2022. I immediately followed up and was put on a waitlist as I was told that the parts were on back order. I was told I was 27 on the waitlist. I followed up every 3-6 months for an update on getting the recall repaired but was told they have no update on the parts. It is now 2025 and my registration and inspection are expired. I was informed by FIAT service mechanic that the...

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open recall should not impact my inspection. Upon bringing it in for inspection, I needed to get the thermostat replaced, which was one of the first recalls that was rectified upon purchasing the car in 2017. My car failed inspection. I followed up with FIAT corporate and was assigned a case manager who followed up as well unable to rectify the situation. Now my car is unsafe to drive, I have gotten a ticket for expired inspection . I told the officer that there is an open recall and that I am at the mercy of FIAT. Secondly since I purchased the car I have brought it back multiple times, expressing concern that the car lags when you press the gas. If I am merging on the the highway and I am going 30mph the RPM will struggle to go over 3 in order for the car to accelerate and then it falls to 1-2 RPM. Attached are numerous photos of my constant communication of presenting issues. The entire electrical system will turn on and off on its own. Error I have gotten speeding tickets always when trying to switch lanes or am preparing for the exist because I have to compensate for the lag otherwise I will get smashed by another car. When driving 25-40 mph the engine will make a humming sound as if it is stuck in a gear. So my options are 50+ or 25 or less. Living in NY this is very difficult. I have even advocated that I believe my car is apart of the 2016 transmission recall on my particular make and model. My car is unsafe to drive and I need some guidance

Filed Incident Electrical system · Unknown or other · EngineNHTSA 11677336
2017 Fiat 500XElectrical system

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? - The component that failed is the RFHM module in the rear driver side wheel well of the car. Due to water leaking into the car, the RFHM module is taking on water damage causing several electrical systems to fail including power steering, airbags, and starter. Both current RFHM and previously damaged RFHM module are available I believe. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? - As the car...

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takes on water, the module fills internally with water as well. When this happens, several components of the car begin to go haywire including security, power steering, airbags, and other electronic readers. When this happens going down the road, my car has and can potentially shut itself off which is very dangerous going down a highway. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? - I first diagnosed what was going on through with my car through other online forums of people experiencing the same problems. I took my vehicle to my mechanic where he ordered a new RFHM Module and had a mobile locksmith acquire a new key. The locksmith was able to program one old key and one new key with the new module and the car was good to go again. Now, six months later, the same issue is happening with the same piece of equipment. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? - I have not pursued this yet but will be in touch with the manufacturer tomorrow. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? - There is no way to know when the car will work or when it won't after it rains or after a car wash. The symptoms come on suddenly and take time to dry out to be useable again.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 11664976
2016 Fiat 500XElectrical systemDriver assistance

Radio unit failed due to internal short which prevents the blind spot alert, parking sensors and backup camera to no longer function. Fiat no longer manufacturers the replacement part (P/N: 6RV00LXHAA) and states vehicle is not repairable. Car is less than 10 years old and has 25k miles but can no longer be safely operated due to the failed safety systems. Other than this issue car is essentially like new and could provide another decade of use but instead must be added to the overflowing landfills creating yet more pollution. Vehicle manufacturers should be held accountable for such egregious behavior.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Lane departure · Back over preventionNHTSA 11656809
2016 Fiat 500XTransmission & drivetrainElectrical system

The contact owns a 2016 Fiat 500X. The contact stated while driving 30-35 MPH, several messages stating that the 4-WD system and the drive mode selector system were not available were displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where a computer software update was performed, per the manufacturer's recommendation; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the failure recurred upon starting the vehicle. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 73,000.

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical systemNHTSA 11634312
2016 Fiat 500XTransmission & drivetrainElectrical system

While driving, the vehicle will randomly shift to Neutral with a message appearing about shifting gears. When this happens I cannot accelerate or brake, and cannot shift gears. The only way to get the car to operate properly again is to turn the engine off and back on. Suddenly losing the ability to drive the car while on the road like this is definitely a safety risk, to me and other drivers. This has happened on three separate occasions for me. I took it to a dealership that was unable to diagnose it as they...

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could not replicate the issue themselves during a test drive. It appears to be the same issue that is described in recall S55. However, even though my car is listed in the recall, I was told my specific VIN is not included. The dealership says there is nothing they can do.

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical systemNHTSA 11630317
2016 Fiat 500XTransmission & drivetrainElectrical system

Driving on the highway approximately 55 MPH and the vehicle went automatically went into neutral thankfully I was able to pull off to the shoulder. I put it in park and shut the vehicle off and turned it back on again, when I shifted into drive it felt like somebody just picked up the car and dropped it. This has been an ongoing issue. Dealerships don't know what it is. I've done research on this specific vehicle from other owners and they have been experiencing the same thing with this make and model of vehicle

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical systemNHTSA 11616211
2018 Fiat 500XTransmission & drivetrainElectrical system

THE Transmission Valve Body Solenoid was diagnosed as not working. while i was driving on the highway without any indication the car just started slowing down . There was not a warning or anything, then the transmission service lights up, i had to have my car towed to a dealership however they informed me that there was never any service they were supposed to do on my transmission because of the type of vehicle i have. this part is expensive and not easily obtainable. car is still showing transmission issue.

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical systemNHTSA 11595749
2016 Fiat 500XSteeringElectrical systemEngine & cooling

The day after we had a bad storm, my car's electrical system went haywire. I was driving to work and all kinds of warning lights started flashing. Then when I came to a stop sign, stopped, then proceed to go again the car car would not go. I was still in drive but the car would not go when I pressed the pedal. So I put the car in park then back in drive and it started driving again. Then a warning came on about my power steering. I get further down the road to a stop light. I stopped and when the light turned green...

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it would not go again while it drive. So I put it in park and back in drive and it went.i get to a stop sign about 1 mile down the road and my steering wheel locked up. So I put the car in park and back in drive and it started turning a little bit so I was able to pull off the road into an abandoned parking lot. I tried to turn the car off and it would not turn off. So I unhooked the battery cable and it cut off. I had the car towed to my house. They hooked the cables back up yo get the car onto the tow truck. Once the car was home, the wheel was fine but it had some warning messages on the dashboard. So the next day it rained again. And I went outside later that evening and my tail lights and the dashboard was illuminated. My air conditioner was running but the car was not crank. So I finally got it to the shop and they are saying water got into the RHA hub; but how? I don't have a leak in my car. I've never seen water in my car and on top of that, why is my RHA hub in the trunk? Anyway, after that I looked it up and come to find out a lot of people with Fiats have been having the same problem. And they are just as upset and lost as I am.

Filed Incident Steering · Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11589850
2017 Fiat 500XElectrical systemBody, doors & structureBrakes

February 2023 the Fiat breaks and transmission locked up and all of the lights on the dashboard started flashing in the middle of the road. filed claim with geico. turned out to be a leak somewhere in the body frame of the car which leaked water into the RF module of the car causing water damage inside the RF module causing the car transmission to lock up emergency brake lockup and all lights flashing and horn beeping uncontrollably. Geico paid Fiat dealership to replace RF module but not the leak. again in...

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September 2023 this happened in the middle of busy [[redacted]]. the car completely locked up and screeched to a halt on the interstate nearly causing a crash. The car was taken back to the same dealership. they determined the RF module had water damage again caused by a leak. Geico refused to pay anything for repairs this time. after speaking with Fiat customer service representative, Fiat agreed to pay for diagnosis of leak, location and repair of leak and replacement of RF module. [[redacted]] the dealership said they found the leak. The leak was located somewhere on the back portion of the car. there was a crack on both sides of the back portion of the car. [[redacted]] the dealership cannot find the leak. The dealership wants to give the car back. we are terrified to drive the car because it could lock up at any moment again for a third time. after research, we discovered this leak into the RF module has happened many times in the Fiats around the world including UK. this car was purchased brand new by my [[redacted]] who cannot afford to buy another car and is terrified to drive this car. after posting the malfunction on YouTube, we discovered other people are having the same issue with Fiat. it sounds like a manufacturer defect somewhere in the welding or weather stripping. we have no idea. the dealership took photos of crack, leak. location, attached INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Incident Electrical system · Structure · Service brakesNHTSA 11568631

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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