2016 Fiat 500 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 57%of 14 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 20,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2016 Fiat 500, 57% of the 14 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 20,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The car stopped working in the middle of the highway, started to give error messages and turned on engine service, transmission and parking brakes lights. A few seconds after we just got the message: drive mode unavailable and the car stopped. It was really dangerous and my family and I were in a terrible risk of have a pretty bad accident. We are really lucky that nothing happened to us, we could die that night.”
NHTSA complaint #10760850, filed 2015-09, 617 miles“While driving on the freeway and at freeway speeds the front passenger side suspension completely snapped with no accident or road debris involved. The wheel turned sideways and lost all control of the vehicle's ability to turn. The engine then gave a transmission failure warning and the engine cut out. Was able to get the car to the side lane and waited for triple a to show up until 5am. Took pictures of the front passenger side wheel which was basically dangling off of the vehicle. It was exceptionally dangerous.”
NHTSA complaint #10897463, filed 2016-08, 3,000 miles“Car switches into neutral unexpectedly creating a dangerous inoperable vehicle scenario where the car will not move for several seconds. This has happened to me several times on the open road and almost caused me to get hit from behind. This is a regular occurrence which I have to predictively allow for by anticipating this may happen.”
NHTSA complaint #11103035, filed 2018-06“Passenger side drive axle failed on 2016 500e with only 35650 miles but no longer under warranty. Method of failure: Bolts holding axle to transmission sheered resulting in a loss of power. Car was brought to Orange County Chrysler for repair. Dealer informed me that there was a Chrysler Recall N51 for 2013 Fiat 500e for the same problem, but it didn't apply to my year. Numerous blogs on the internet show similar failures for newer models. A sound engineering fix should be developed and implemented as a Safety Recall.”
NHTSA complaint #11464484, filed 2022-05“The contact owns a 2016 Fiat 500. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the transmission was slipping, and the vehicle lost motive power. No warning light was illuminated. The failure recurred several times. The contact restarted the vehicle and forcefully shifted the transmission into 2nd gear to prevent losing motive power. The contact was able to drive to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 53,350.”
NHTSA complaint #11531886, filed 2023-07, 53,350 milesRelated recalls
- 16V302000May 16, 2016Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2012-2016 Fiat 500 vehicles manufactured June 21, 2010, through January 12, 2016, equipped with a manual…Covers: Fiat 500 2012–2016
Related service bulletins
- 10221150Apr 16, 2021Gear Ratio DTC?s, Transmission Shift Concerns, Does Not Shift At Times, Shudders
- 10221097Apr 7, 2021Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles. If the transmission bracket to the transmission case fasteners are removed during…
- 10224899Oct 18, 20171.4L FIRE Service Engine (Normally Aspirated) This engine in this kit will contain one of 8 different production full dress engines, but labeled as component engine 68275870AA or…
- 10219814Jun 1, 20169-spd Transmission: FOR NAFTA Market Only: If you are ordering this transmission please follow all wiTECH pop ups and Warranty Payment Guidelines. If this vehicle contains 1 of…
- 10218250Jun 1, 20169-spd Transmission: FOR NAFTA Market Only: If you are ordering this transmission please follow all wiTECH pop ups and Warranty Payment Guidelines. If this vehicle contains 1 of…
- 10139936Jun 1, 20169-spd Transmission: FOR NAFTA Market Only: If you are ordering this transmission please follow all wiTECH pop ups and Warranty Payment Guidelines. If this vehicle contains 1 of…
- 10074979Mar 24, 2016Summary to be provided on a future date.
- 10151761Oct 17, 2015Flash: Drivetrain Control Module (DTCM) C2020-01 ECU Internal Fault setting in the DTCM This bulletin involves reprogramming the Drivetrain Control Module (DTCM) with the latest…
- 10216169Oct 14, 2015Flash: Vehicle Will Not Shift Out Of Park This bulletin involves reprogramming the Electronic Shift Module (ESM) with the latest available software. Some Customers may experience…
- 10151750Oct 14, 2015Flash: Vehicle Will Not Shift Out Of Park This bulletin involves reprogramming the Electronic Shift Module (ESM) with the latest available software. Some Customers may experience…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2016 Fiat 500
3 complaintsElectrical system
3 complaintsEngine
3 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsElectronic stability control
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaintsWheels
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 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