Fiat 500 Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 811 consumer complaints across the 7 model years of the Fiat 500 (2012–2018) that have at least 5 complaints. 2012 has the most, with 396. Across all years, the part named most often is transmission and drivetrain (391 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All 500 model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 5 | 12,000 | 1 | 90 | — | Not enough data |
| 2017 | 14 | 15,873 | 1 | 101 | — | Not enough data |
| 2016 | 14 | 25,000 | 3 | 164 | — | Not enough data |
| 2015 | 92 | 26,000 | 3 | 167 | 36 · Typical | Falling |
| 2014 | 124 | 17,000 | 3 | 144 | 61 · Typical | Rising |
| 2013 | 166 | 44,000 | 3 | 133 | 21 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2012 | 396 | 47,566 | 3 | 132 | 69 · More | Falling |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Transmission and drivetrain391 44%
- Electrical system136 15%
- Engine109 12%
- Other or unknown90 10%
- Air bags52 5.8%
- Fuel system44 4.9%
- Steering38 4.3%
- Brakes34 3.8%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2012: “Having problems with the front end on vehicle-when I take off it wobbles-I was told that these cars are popular with front end problems- also I did read there was a recall to replace front end parts could you please look into this -hoprfully this defect will be addressed thanks the vehicle was in motion at the time and I was on a city street- I'm truly concerned on”
NHTSA complaint #11373810, filed 2020-11, 100,000 miles2015: “A few days after normandin chrysler did a recall clutch repair, the passenger side control arm came loose at the wheel causing vehicle to be uncontrollable and right tire to jam into wheel well. I had just turned left onto a road from a driveway. I heard a grinding sound and pulled the car over. Cv fluids on road. Axel disconnected at both ends.”
NHTSA complaint #11268427, filed 2019-10, 49,819 miles2013: “Fiat's check engine light came on,and upon being diagnosed no codes came up for this car. Soon after being diagnosed as a faulty code, my car suddenly stopped being able to change gears while the car is running, although it changes just fine whem it is turned off. The first incidence of this happening occured while I was driving and posed a huge safety hazard”
NHTSA complaint #11243137, filed 2019-08, 113,000 milesOther Fiat models
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology