Vehicles from Fiat’s stable were always about classy Italian styling with a decent hint of performance, and the Fiat 500 is a cute little example of the same. The Fiat 500 has been doing decently in the reliability department, and the number of complaints it faced in the recent past is on the lower side as compared to the dismal sales figure. The 2015 Fiat 500 has 79 complaints and three recalls to date but it also has an open investigation regarding the Airbag ACU electrical overstress issue. Among its problems, the powertrain issues and the electrical system issues take up a major share of the total reports. In its class, the Fiat 500 faces competition from the Mini Cooper and the Volkswagen Beetle.
Fiat 500 user complaints and problems
Engine problems
- Intake actuator failure: One owner mentions this issue in his report. The report states that the engine stalled while driving and the owner was unable to restart it. Upon further investigation, the intake actuator failure was determined and the part was replaced.
- Transmission malfunction: electrical system One case of a transmission issue is there against the 2015 Fiat 500. The electrical system of the car overheated which caused the transmission to shift to park automatically from drive mode while driving. Also, there was a burning odor due to the overheating ass well.
- Engine stall: Multiple complaints regarding engine stall are brought forward by the affected owners. The engine stalls occurred due to various reasons such as battery failure and transmission problems.
- Oil leak: One owner reports an oil leak against the 2015 Fiat 500. The complaint says that the engine started to leak oil after covering about 74,000 miles.
Electrical problems
- Electrical system overheating: A few owners have faced this issue while driving. The electrical system of the affected vehicles overheated and resulted in the transmission shifting out of drive mode while driving.
- Instrument panel malfunction: Reports regarding instrument panel malfunctioning are present with the NHTSA against the Fiat 500. The owners complain that the instrument panel on their vehicles failed intermittently or completely while driving. In a few cases, the dealerships carried out a software fix but it failed to resolve the issues.
- Exterior lighting malfunction: Some owners have faced issues with the exterior lighting in their vehicles. The complaints mention that the headlamps malfunctions most of the time while driving such as turning off when turned on and turning on when turned off.
- Faulty infotainment system: Apart from the instrument panel failures some owners also faced troubles with the infotainment system on their vehicles too. The problems include several features ceasing to work such as Bluetooth and radio.
2015 Fiat 500 recalls
|
S.No. |
Recall Date |
NHTSA Campaign ID |
Issues noticed |
Additional remarks |
Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
May 18, 2015 |
15V291000 |
Vehicle may Unexpectedly Shift into Neutral |
If the vehicle unexpectedly shifts to neutral, the loss of drive could increase the risk of a crash. |
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EVCU, free of charge. The recall began on June 19, 2015. |
|
2 |
May 16, 2016 |
16V302000 |
Clutch Diaphragm Spring May Fracture |
If the clutch diaphragm spring fails, the driver may not be able to shift gears or the vehicle may lose motive power, increasing the risk of a crash. |
The remedy for this recall will include the installation of a clutch pedal limiter and a clutch pedal switch. The recall began on November 10, 201 |
|
3 |
July 3, 2019 |
19E044000 |
Shifter Shaft May Break |
If the shifter breaks while the vehicle is in motion, it can increase the risk of a crash. |
DLT has notified owners, and will provide a complete replacement shifter assembly with an updated shaft, free of charge. The recall began on July 24, 2019. |
Should you buy a used Fiat 500?
The Fiat 500 is a preferable option for those who seek a personal vehicle with comfortable seating for two that is a bit different from the rest. The compact and quirky styling of the 500 sure appeals to the right crowd but its impracticality limits its sales numbers. In the reliability department, the vehicle has been doing decently but there are disappointed buyers too who have faced several issues with their brand 500s as well. Going for a used example makes sense only if you wish to have a Fiat 500 in your garage and look out for the electrical and powertrain issues if you decide to go ahead with one.
