2016 Fiat 500X Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2016 Fiat 500X most often describe the engine shutting off while driving, often with warnings such as "service engine" or "drive mode unavailable" appearing before or after, and a 9-speed transmission that shifts harshly or slips into neutral on its own. Many also report oil consumption between changes and electrical problems, including warning lights, a touchscreen that cycles on and off, and exterior lamps failing in groups. Reports in the sample span both very low mileage and well past 70,000 miles.

1. 1
   Engine

   Engine shutting off while driving

   • 43 complaints (28%)
   • median 39,900 mi at 4.0 yrs old (31 state mileage)
   • filed 2017–2026

   Owners describe the engine cutting out without warning at speeds ranging from parking-lot pace to highway speed, leaving steering, brakes and throttle unresponsive until the car is stopped, shifted into park and restarted. Some say the car stalls repeatedly in a short period, and several link it to "service engine" or "drive mode unavailable" messages on the dash. According to the complaints, dealers often responded with software updates, battery or cable work, or an oil change rather than a repair that stopped the stalling. Reported from a few hundred miles up to roughly 98,000 miles, with many cases between 20,000 and 50,000 miles and little apparent dependence on weather.

   What to check: Ask whether the vehicle has ever stalled and what the dealer did about it, and request any stored diagnostic codes be read before purchase. A test drive should include a stop-and-restart cycle and a check that no warning messages appear on the dash.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Car will randomly turn itself off while driving. This has happened 3 times (I currently have just over 70k miles on the car). There are also electrical issues (seizure warning should come with this car- the touch screen radio will turn itself off and on continuously while driving). As with most other complaints, my drivers side door handle came off as well.”

   NHTSA complaint #11362373, filed 2020-10, 60,000 miles

   “During a normal driving conditions a couple weeks ago, my Fiat 500X's engine turned off / stalled while I was driving. I was in the city and getting ready to turn, so I was at a slow speed - around 8 MPH. I had to turn the car off and on again and it seemed to be fine after that. But this was very alarming and if I had been going a higher speed, it could have been very dangerous.”

   NHTSA complaint #11306240, filed 2020-01, 26,500 miles
2. 2
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Harsh shifting and unexpected neutral (9-speed)

   • 39 complaints (25%)
   • median 38,000 mi at 3.8 yrs old (29 state mileage)
   • filed 2016–2026

   Complaints describe hard shifting, especially from first to second gear, jerking or hesitation during acceleration, and the transmission dropping into neutral by itself while driving, sometimes at highway speed. Drivers say they have to coast to the shoulder, brake, shift to park and restart to get moving again, and some report a delay before reverse or drive engages. Several owners say software updates or reprogramming were performed but the behavior returned. Mostly reported between about 15,000 and 80,000 miles, though some complaints come from cars with very low mileage; a few note it appears more at low-speed stop-and-go driving.

   Recall 16V529000

   What to check: Ask whether recall 16V529000 was performed and whether any transmission software updates were applied. During a test drive, note any clunk between first and second gear and any pause before the car engages when shifting from park.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving my Fiat 500X, it jerks when it's shifting gears or accelerating. I took it into the dealership and there was a bulletin concerning the transmission I believe. But whatever update was done, it did not take care of the problem. I've looked for info regarding this issue and have found there are several other people having the same problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #11309789, filed 2020-02, 40,000 miles

   “The car randomly jumps into neutral while driving down the road. I must try to coast to the shoulder, as the dash is telling me to press the brake pedal to put the car in gear. Once I've stopped I have to move the gear shift to park, shut the car off and restart it.”

   NHTSA complaint #11366363, filed 2020-10, 98,000 miles
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Warning lights, battery and stalling electrical faults

   • 61 complaints (40%)
   • median 41,500 mi at 3.8 yrs old (46 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2017–2026

   Owners describe clusters of warning lamps appearing at once, including service engine, drive mode unavailable, 4WD unavailable and battery or charging messages, along with a touchscreen that turns itself off and on. Some report the car failing to start or needing a jump, and a few say a new battery did not resolve it. Complaints also mention dealers applying software updates or replacing sensors without a lasting fix. Spread from roughly 13,000 to 80,000 miles, with several reports in the 30,000 to 50,000 mile range.

   6 related service bulletins

   What to check: With the engine running, confirm no warning lamps stay lit and test the touchscreen and every switch. Ask whether the battery and charging system have been checked, and whether any electrical service bulletins were applied.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Car has approx 26k miles. Driving under normal conditions this morning and warning came on service engine. Drive mode unavailable . I had the sun roof open as I was driving and I kept thinking I was smelling a hot or burning smell, but couldn't be sure. I popped the hood when I got home and didn't smell anything obvious. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11078895, filed 2018-03, 26,000 miles

   “The other day my check engine light came on and said that my coolant level was low. I went a grabbed coolant and filled it up to the max line. For two days in a row now, I have been having lights randomly pop up on my dash. Such as drive mode unavailable, service engine, 4wd unavailable. It has also randomly stalled while driving with my son in the car. The dealership said there is nothing wrong with the car. Which there obviously is. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11296979, filed 2020-01, 80,000 miles
4. 4
   Engine

   Excessive oil consumption between changes

   • 23 complaints (15%)
   • median 37,200 mi at 3.8 yrs old (14 state mileage)
   • filed 2017–2025

   Owners report needing to add oil well before the next scheduled change, in some cases about a quart every couple of weeks, with no visible leak under the car. Some mention low oil pressure warnings or the engine shutting down when the level drops. Complaints describe dealers performing oil consumption tests, and service bulletins covering the 2.4L engine describe a consumption test and warranty extension for this symptom. Typically reported between about 30,000 and 80,000 miles, with some owners noticing it earlier.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check the oil level and look for a fuel or burnt smell on the dipstick, and ask the seller how often oil is added between changes. Ask whether an oil consumption test has been documented.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “2016 Fiat 500X easy sport awd. I took my car in last year due to a code it was threw relating to engine cooling fan & found it was on an updated recall; car was stalling both while driving & while at a complete stop, had excessive oil consumption (1 qrt needed every 2 wks), shifted hard from 1st to 2nd and also had odd idling sound at speeds btwn 15-25mph with sudden 'power burst' and last, excessive heat from engine right before it threw the code. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11408478, filed 2021-04, 36,400 miles

   “I own a 2016 Fiat 500X, unsure of the model because I was told I was purchasing a trekking but paperwork states lounge 2. The VIN number has brought up the different two models depending on what VIN search you use. One issue with the vehicle, are the exterior lights. At the current time, it has a blinker, rear taillight and a brake light out. And when one light goes out, usually 2-3 other lights follow. This will be the 3rd time it's going in for repairs for that electrical issue. It is also consuming too much oil. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11350898, filed 2020-08, 47,000 miles

Buying note. A pre-purchase inspection that includes reading stored fault codes, an oil level check and a thorough test drive through stop-and-go traffic is worthwhile on this model year, and ask for documentation of recall 16V529000 and any transmission or electrical software updates. Service records showing how the car was maintained between oil changes help show whether oil consumption has been an issue.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.