AI DamageFiat 500: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Fiat 500 across 5 model years: 33 owner complaints and 119 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 33% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 24% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 18% of all complaints
- 4 Engine 15% of all complaints
- 5 Structure 12% of all complaints
- 6 Air bags 9% of all complaints
- 7 Visibility 6% of all complaints
- 8 Electronic stability control 6% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 11 complaints (33% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 26.
- Electrical system: 8 complaints (24% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 120.
- Service brakes: 6 complaints (18% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 5.
- Engine: 5 complaints (15% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 5.
- Structure: 4 complaints (12% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 69.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.3 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl 2019–2023
- 1.4 L · petrol · 4 cyl 2012–2017
- 1.4 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl 2012–2020
- 2.4 L · petrol · 4 cyl 2016–2018
- automatic, 6-speed 2012–2020
- automatic, 9-speed 2016–2023
- dual-clutch (DCT), 6-speed 2015
- manual, 5-speed 2012–2019
- manual, 6-speed 2014–2018
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 33 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 11 | 2 | 26 |
| Electrical system | 8 | 0 | 120 |
| Service brakes | 6 | 1 | 5 |
| Engine | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| Structure | 4 | 2 | 69 |
| Air bags | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| Electronic stability control | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Wheels | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 8 |
| Steering | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 108 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
My vehicle was t-boned on my driverside door. The vehicle that hit me was going 50mph according to the police report. I was crossing the street at about 10-15mph. Not a single airbag engaged, side curtain, seat, etc. It was on a city street and the car that hit me was speeding.
In addition upon impact the seatbelt did not lock causing the driver to be tossed to the windshield. Driver was wearing seat belt. Incident occurred at very low rate of speed.
The driver and passenger frontal air bags failed to deploy, causing the contact's head to strike the steering wheel. The contact injured her neck, left shoulder, and left foot. The contact was transported to the hospital by family members. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed.
Car has moved out of "park" 4 times and the last time rolled down my drive way and hit another car. I want to have this vehicle returned and get another car. We took this vehicle into the dealer about 4 months ago for electronic gauge and system problems. They said there was nothing wrong with it.
Upon moving the vehicle in the driveway later that same afternoon, the vehicle suddenly accelerated again when depressing the brake; had to engage the parking brake to bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
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.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Broken Exterior Driver And/Or Passenger Door Handles XB2 Warranty Extension Customers may comment the…
- High Voltage Air Conditioning Refrigerant Dye
- Aluminum Body Panel Corrosion Repair Aluminum corrosion or bubbling along the leading edge of hood, hinges…
- Aluminum Body Panel Corrosion Repair Aluminum corrosion or bubbling along the leading edge of hood, hinges…
- Aluminum Body Panel Corrosion Repair Aluminum corrosion or bubbling along the leading edge of hood, hinges…
- Verify Reman part number availability. Order the "R" part number for all orders
- "Aluminum Body Panel Corrosion Repair Aluminum corrosion or bubbling along the leading edge of hood,…
- Start Stop Charging Warning Lamp Illuminated On, Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS) State of Charge (SOC)…
- Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar Connector Repair…
- Aluminum Body Panel Corrosion Repair Aluminum corrosion or bubbling along the leading edge of hood, hinges…
- LIFTER, Hydraulic Roller Deactivating Please do not replace MDS lifters because the disconnecting pin is…
- Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar Connector Repair…
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
- I Bought a Damaged Not Recorded Fiat 500 from Copart… Hidden Faults!?amount per author: £14,500
- I Bought a CHEAP 2018 Fiat 500 on Copart… Will I make a Profit???amount per author: £900
- I Overpaid for a Damaged Fiat 500 at Copart… Was It Worth It?!amount per author: £2,600
- I Bought a Broken Fiat 500 on Copart… It Won’t Even Roll! Can I Fix It?
- PT 3 rebuilding my Copart crashed damaged 2016 fiat 500 And Ferrari
- Another Salvage Fiat 500 From Copart... Can We Save It?
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.