89 of the 1,118 complaints filed about the Fiat 500 are about the other systems — 8% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2012.
89
Complaints
8%
Share of all complaints
6
Crashes
3
Fires
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I have been dealing with identity theft and not really sure why when I put vin number to my vehicle I purchased September 25 2025 it says a different color
NHTSA complaint #11692186 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The vehicle had been stalling out on numerous occasions one being a freezing Xmas eve in Drive thru if it had happened somewhere isolated the driver could have frozen. I rented cars several times and replaced the alternator ,battery and at the final point at the dealership the mechanic suggested I purchase a $600 battery though I had a brand new one. The dealership gave me a $200 credit but it happened again, the mechanic in town said the Bluetooth component was draining the battery. They removed it and no problem since. The dealership mechanic talked around the issue and would not answer my questions about this. The safety issues related to this are dangerous and it appears to be known by mechanics about this model.
NHTSA complaint #11668228 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I was notified of the recall for my car and took it to the dealer. The dealer told me there is no fix for this recall and that they could not do anything about it sending me away.
NHTSA complaint #11601747 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The quality of the exterior door handle is an issue. My passenger side door handle has snapped completely off and my drivers side door handle has partially broken, but still functions. The rear door hatch also stopped working. The arm rests both broke rather easily as well. My last car was a 2013 fiat 500 pop and the exterior door handles both broke, the rear latch stopped working, and both arm rests broke. I live in Iowa and it gets extremely cold, but I'm unsure if that's related. I have not been aggressive with any of these parts so I don't know what the issue is.
NHTSA complaint #11569028 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
In March 2023 my wife was driving our Fiat 500 on the freeway and the sunroof exploded with a loud bang. Small pieces of glass shattered everywhere and fell all over here. The sound and glass caused her to swerve, luckily no other cars were around. We got insurance involved and sent the car to a body shop to get fixed. No one really knew what caused the problem, though they all suspected a pebble. There was no other evidence to suggest a pebble. In August 2023 when entering the freeway (speed was less than 45 mph) the sunroof exploded again with a loud bang. My wife and I were both in the car. Once again we got insurance involved and the car was sent to a different body shop. The body shop did not find and evidence that a rock or pebble did the damage and were not sure how it could have been caused. This is our family car and we need to drive it daily. It puts everyone’s safety at risk when driving since the shock of falling glass and the sound of the sunroof exploding can cause knee jerk reactions. Therefore, not only is our safety at risk but also the other drivers were we to swerve unintentionally into someone. This happened twice in a span of 6 months.
NHTSA complaint #11568727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
On Sept. 5, 2023 I took our Fiat 500 2013 model c in for air condition repair to Winter Haven Fiat service Dept. After I brought it home on Sept. 8th it started making strange noise, so i took it to local auto repair. They advised me that it was a clutch problem. I called Fiat service and they said they had good news and bad news. The clutch problem was under recall but they have been unable to get parts. they gave me the number for Fiat customer service and I called. At first I was told parts were available and to take car in for fix. Service dept. again said they couldn't get parts and not to drive car and not to bring it to them until they got parts. I was told to expect parts Oct 1st. then Oct. 13th , Then Oct. 23. Service dept also got these dates of delivery, but parts never came. then when i questioned parts not coming, i was told by case worker that service dept had cancelled my part order. The service dept denies this and since they are vin specific they couldn,t reorder. My caseworker has been unable to answer any questions as to if parts made, being made or if they even will. When i expect answers I am given a new case manager. I have an undriveable car that I need. I was told not to drive it by Fiat service manager as it could totally fail on highway and cause an accident and driving it can cause further damage to clutch.
NHTSA complaint #11551976 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I just purchased this 2012 Fiat 500 Cabrio. It seems it is widespread issue on the failure of the guiderails and components that work the convertible top are of poor quality and the tops become inoperable and the cost to repair can exceed the value of the vehicle. The safety issue is that if the top has failed and failed to complete the cycle to close the rear hatch locks and remains locked with no way to access rear of vehicle by emergency responders. The scenario would be inability to get to a passenger by blocked doors and only can access through the rear of the vehicle. This could require cutting through the top or some other method. This could impact time element to extract a passenger from a car.
NHTSA complaint #11546760 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
the electric vehicle was previously recalled for battery malfunction but now the OBCM module malfunctioned making the vehicle unable to charge(receive power) leaving me stranded in the charging station and unable to go home. The module is the brain of the battery and should have been replaced with the battery if it's what's causing a similar issue. OBCMFAILED CAUSING BPCMAND EVCU NOT TO WAKE UP . NEED TO REPLACE OBCMAND PROGRAMTO VEHICLE
NHTSA complaint #11524421 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The clutch pedal sticks to the floor and won't let me shift gears. There is a recall already but for some reason my car is not included the no.16v302000 please help if possible to get my car added to this recall thanks [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11508136 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I stepped out of my car and shut my door by accident with my keys still in the car and all the doors locked on my car and locked me out. This is not a normal thing. My keys, my phone, and my purse were all in the car I am very thankful a child was not in there locked in. It was very cold out and raining. I had to use Walgreens office phone and they were not supposed to allow that but did thankfully. The police came and got me in my car. Ever since my car locked me out my door handles do not work. I have to leave my passenger window down at all times to get in my car. It rains in my car and on my passenger seat. I use the passenger window so I am not sitting in a wet seat so I just crawl through the passenger side after I stick my hand in the hole where the window should be to open my door and actually get in my usually wet car. I was sitting in Walgreens parking lot car was off and keys in seat. Please let me know if you need a police report. I have to locate the officer and get him to send me the report then upload it. He got me back in my car
NHTSA complaint #11498250 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
In the morning (6AM) of September 19, my car car caught on fire while parked in my driveway. There were flames 3-4 feet height coming from the engine hood area. Once the fire was extinguished by the local fire department, I found the car was extensively damaged in the front outside and inside driver cabin. Upon further inspection I found the fire might have started with or around the battery, as it was completely melted. Further inspection on the back side of the car showed some stripped wiring in the assembly connecting to the rear hatch mechanism, lights, and other. In the days previous to this incident the battery had loss its charge completely twice in the span of a week and a half.
NHTSA complaint #11488743 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The PCM system does not work at all and brakes seem off—either they stop too hard or drag when pressing in them
NHTSA complaint #11474371 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Bought the vehicle used and it had zero issues. I bought 4 new tires and immediately after the RBS and ESC warning lights appeared but disappeared one day later. Fives days after the new tires the RBS & ESC warning lights reappeared but remained. I took it to the FIAT Dealership for a diagnostic and they stated that after following the flow chart it states to replace ABS Module due to internal failure. I held off on replacing the ABS module because a separate mechanic stated that it’s common with Fiats for the RBS & ECA warnings to appear after changing all tires. One month later the BRAKE warning light turned on (without the emergency brake in use) and the car began to jerk when in drive or when using the brakes (as I was driving). I had to drive slow with little pressure on the gas so that I would not have to use the brakes as every time I did the car would jerk very roughly and felt as if it was going to break.
NHTSA complaint #11473798 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MELTING DASKBOARD, FIRST TIME COVERED BY ORIGINAL MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY. We extended the vehicle warranty with the dealer and specifically asked if the prior problem was covered and they answered in the affirmative. We then renewed vehicle warranty with the dealer again. THE PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN, AND THEY DENIED COVERAGE. SINCE THIS IS THE FACE OF THE DASHBOARD AND NOT THE TOP WE ARE CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAG WILL NOT PROPERLY DEPLOY FOR THE PASSENGER. PART NOT COVERED ESTIMATE FOR PART IS $377.OO Labor charges unknown
NHTSA complaint #11467393 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Fiat made their 500e vehicles (electric) and sold them off as a tax relief. Unfortunately, many who have purchased this vehicles are experiencing similar issues. The car dies and the main battery is dead (not the small battery that you can replace/charge - the big one). Upon calling Fiat, they said it was covered under warranty - BUT- there is one part that is crucial to the install and the part costs $7,000. Our car is not worth 7k. We bought it for 10k four years ago and it has depreciated value. When we appealed with Fiat - they would not budge. We filed a claim for loss damages and it goes denied - twice. This is a known problem - many insurance companies and mechanics do not know how to process electric vehicles.
NHTSA complaint #11441646 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Transmission gear box. Having issues with shifting - 11/23/2021
NHTSA complaint #11441515 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
While seated in my Car on09/03/2021 my vehicle instrument panels warning lights began to flicker and I would describe it as recycle. This occurred in another vehicle that was taken and towed , except for with that vehicle I jump started the vehicle and it restarted perfectly. I am not near the jump start cable, as I am leaving the country for school. I am currently trapped in a strange city. There are people who keep threatening to have the car towed, but I will be repairing the vehicle. the Battery is a Duracell ultra SL147H6M 12 VOLT SERIAL NUMBER 840821033760. The store was a Batteries plus in Los Angeles CA, the store owners were Hattian or East African , at the time it seems that I was the victim of a ubiquitous sexual harassment case, now being investigate. There are other elements to the circumstances as the car being altered possibly in transit by Car Max from Brooklyn Park Minnesota to Memphis Tennessee possibly by Hispanic individuals as the inventory from "Autozone" shows that the car was made in Mexico, not that it was not, it is just that I thought that the guys telling me this were doing so trying to entrap me, so that they could tow the car, that was what they bothered me about the entire time. Then all of the males were not Hispanic, some were other ethnicities, inc. Caucasian. The crime was online
NHTSA complaint #11432632 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
When driving at 60mph, the vehicle lost power and would not accelerate. I do not know why this happened. I was endangered due to the inability to control the speed of my car in traffic. I have recognized a recall that I am going to pursue with a dealer. There was no warning lights on. Oil level was good. Engine temperature was in the OK zone.
NHTSA complaint #11429832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
BEGAN LOSING CLUTCH, CLUTCH/BRAKE ASSEMBLY HAD THE 2 CONNECTING BOLTS BROKEN IN HALF. HAVE PICTURES. CLUTCH INTERLOCK ARRIVED BAD, BYPASSED IT; NOW THE POWER STEERING, ENGINE LIGHT AND EOS LIGHTS STAY ON. CAR ENGINE DIED THEN CRANKED UP ON ITS OWN WHILE DRIVING 60MPH STATING HIGH TEMP (PULL OVER, TURN ENGINE OFF) - HAD BEEN IN THE CAR LESS THAN 1 MINUTE, JUST LONG ENOUGH TO GET TO 60 ON THE HIGHWAY. NOW CLUTCH INTERLOCK, AND BRAKE INTERLOCK MUST BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #11394973 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
CLUTCH PETAL TRANMISSION NOISE WHEN SHIFTING INDICATING DAMAGE IT MAY BE THE SAME PART THAT WAS RECALLED BUT I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AFTER RECALL PERIOD CLOSED FOR WORK DONE ON VEHICLE. I NEED TO KNOW IS THERE ANY TYPE OF EXTENSION OR WAIVER THAT CAN BE GIVEN TO FIX ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #11372682 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.