Fiat is an Italian giant that has been making cars for quite some time now. The Fiat 500 is their subcompact hatchback and people find it to have gone really low in size. For its proportions and class, the Fiat is priced slightly on the higher side at $16,195. However, sales of over 32,000 units seem to prove the Fiat 500 to be a sturdy and reliable car. Users have faced multiple issues but the majority of complaints have been related to the powertrain, but the car has had necessary recalls. NHTSA has reported a total of 140 complaints and 4 recalls on the Fiat 500. The major advantage that the rivals here hold against the Fiat is the fact that they are much more affordable. Major contenders include the Ford Fiesta, the Honda Fit, and the Toyota Yaris.
User complaints and problems
Electrical Problems
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Wiring – The wiring between the body and the trunk lid was said to break due to a poor design and shielding that does not protect the wires. This caused various electrical malfunctioning and also didn’t light the license plate up.
Mechanical Problems
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Engine – There were reports stating that the users heard a tapping noise from the engine bay area. The vehicle was dropped at the dealer’s and it was diagnosed. The mechanics stated that the clutch pressure plate had worn out and would need a relationship. Users also found the low oil pressure warning being flashed and this led to the car completely stalling. The mechanics suggested getting the engine valves replaced.
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Fuel system – The fuel pump clicks when is being filled and shuts off like the tank is full. Dealers requested users to fill the fuel in slowly and there was no other fix or solution to it available.
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Powertrain – Multiple users were facing issues with the gearshifts and they also received a recall notification. However, the vehicle could not be repaired as the recalled parts weren’t available.
Safety Problems
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Seatbelt – The users weren’t able to unlatch the seatbelt from its buckle. Even after using brute force, the belt was stuck and had to be cut. The buckle was said to be faulty due to internal damage. The entire seatbelt assembly had to be replaced.
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Airbags – The airbags failed to deploy during a crash, which led the driver to face multiple injuries. The dealers did nothing to resolve the issue and ignored it like nothing ever happened.
Exterior Problems
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Headlights – The bulbs that come with the car seem to be of poor quality and they often burn and stop working. This disturbs the nighttime visibility a lot.
2013 Fiat 500 recalls
|
S. No. |
Date |
NHTSA ID |
Issues Noticed |
Additional Remarks |
Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. |
15th November 2019 |
19V817000 |
Shifter cable bushing may detach from the transmission. |
This can lead to the gear not falling into the selected position. |
Dealers will replace the shifter cable adjuster. |
|
2. |
3rd July 2019 |
19E044000 |
Shifter shaft may break. |
If the shifter breaks while the car is moving, it can increase the risk of injury. |
A complete shifter assembly with an updated shaft. |
|
3. |
16th May 2016 |
16V32000 |
Clutch diagram spring may fracture. |
If the clutch diaphragm spring fails, the driver may not be able to shift the times. |
A clutch pedal limiter and a clutch pedal switch will be installed. |
|
4. |
18th May 2015 |
15V291000 |
Vehicle may unexpectedly shift into neutral. |
Unexpected shifts to neutral may lead to loss of drive control. |
Dealers will reprogram the EVCU |
Should you buy the 2013 Fiat 500?
The 2013 Fiat 500 feels like a well-built car and feels like a vehicle that would last a long time. The Fiat however has had multiple complaints regarding poor gearshifts and false neutral cases but the Italian manufacturer has rolled out recalls pertaining to the powertrain in order to make the car better than what it was for the users. Despite the tough competition, Fiat still holds its customers due to the upscale feel and polished build quality it provides. The only reason we would recommend the Ford or the Honda over the 500 is if you have a tighter budget but otherwise, the Fiat 500 is a great car. The only concern the 500 has is its tiny structure, which limits the occupant numbers and storage utility.
