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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2013 Fiat 500 Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
80about this part
Share
48%of 166 total for the year
Median mileage
64,554miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 80 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2013 Fiat 500, 48% of the 166 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 64,554 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers. 3 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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 miles

“While driving to my house, I put my vehicle in revers (a 5-speed stick shift), and my stick shift cable broke. My vehicle will not shift out of reverse. Luckily, this occurred right outside of my house, but could have resulted in serious injury if I was on the road. The car now is stuck in reverse and cannot be used.”

NHTSA complaint #11337879, filed 2020-07, 7 miles

“My vehicle is experiencing the exact problem described in recall 16v302000 so I contacted Fiat. They will not repair the transmission because my VIN is not registered as an effected vehicle. I have on more than one occasion run into problems shifting, the car would physically not go into gear until a downshift first occurred. This has caused drastic slowdowns while driving in traffic.”

NHTSA complaint #11161294, filed 2018-12, 70,000 miles

“Since I bought the car when I put it into reverse it slips out of gear. Ive had it since 2014. I've looked up recalls but it hasn't been recalled yet. It looks as though several model close mine are having the same issue and have been recalled already. I will be trying to reverse on a street and it pops out of gear and grindes. This issues happens frequently and has gotten me close to accidents.”

NHTSA complaint #11104233, filed 2018-06, 500 miles

“Loss of motive power while I drive and I have to pull over on the highway. This has happened many times. I have taken the car to Fiat and they have not fixed the issue. Fiat has a recall on my type of car except FCA us llc said my VIN is not included. Nhtsa campaign id # 16v302000. I do not want passengers to be in my car because of the risk of death. There is a significant danger to myself and others.”

NHTSA complaint #11152547, filed 2018-11, 21,000 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2017321%
2016857%
20153235%
20146754%
20138048%
201220151%

Other parts of the 2013 Fiat 500

Engine
22 complaintsOther or unknown
18 complaintsElectrical system
17 complaintsFuel system
12 complaintsAir bags
10 complaintsBody and structure
10 complaintsExterior lighting
9 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsSteering
7 complaintsTires
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsSeat belts
4 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2013 Fiat 500

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology