29 of the
301 complaints filed about the Fiat 500L
are about the electrical system —
10% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2014.
Will not pass emissions due to sensors not going into "ready" state. We have taken it to 4 different mechanics and we were told that the abs module is not communicating. So we replaced it and still nothing. Now we are told that the PCM is not storing memory. There have been no lights illuminated on the dash this whole time, and no codes to determine the underlying electrical issue. With issues like these the car can stall, get stuck in gear, no Abs could cause a crash and not to mention once again will not pass emissions testing due to these issues. The issues have been confirmed by a mechanic at an independent service center. Again, no warming lights or codes, or pending codes for the issues listed above.
NHTSA complaint #11717370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was driving my car down a busy road when I approached a red light and slowed to a stop. I kept my foot on the brake and the car in drive until the light turned green. Then, I tried to use the gas pedal without success and got an error message about needing to switch the gear to neutral. I was stuck in the road, unable to make the drive or neutral options work with the gas. Then, I tried switching my car into park and turning it off and back on again. It flashed on the "P" several times before I turned it off and refused to switch to the driving gear when I turned it back on. I had to put it in neutral and have strangers help push my vehicle off the road into a parking lot. The incident occurred on a busy street in the middle of a holiday weekend afternoon and caused tons of traffic and inconvenience and honking and stress.
NHTSA complaint #11663243 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Engine randomly stalls and will not restart upon entering on-ramps. Automatic transmission randomly fails and slips into limp mode while accelerating from stop lights or accelerating into highway traffic. This issue has caused numerous light rear end collisions with other vehicles following too closely when the transmission malfunctions, causing the other vehicle to impact the rear bumper of the 500L. I had to have the vehicle towed out of traffic because it would not restart or move under it’s own power
NHTSA complaint #11638595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My car refuses to shift gears despite being able to start. The car and its gear shift (and transmission, power train, and any other potentially affected parts) are available for inspection upon request; however, the vehicle would have to be towed as it cannot be driven. There was zero prior warning, notice, etc. Cold weather may be a contributing factor, but this issue has been reported numerous time across this vehicle's make, model, and year (2014 FIAT 500L) by other owners to the NHTSA already. I've driven it sparingly since I moved states, so there is zero reason for the vehicle to stop shifting gears all of a sudden. Again, the car issued no warning lamps nor other messages nor symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, the failure simply occurred without warning. The vehicle is stuck in my driveway and blocking other cars. Had I been driving when this event occurred, there could have been a serious danger and/or disaster that could have put my life (and others) at risk.
NHTSA complaint #11635182 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Car will not shift into gear automatic transmissions will not shift readily out of park and won’t go into park sometimes. The transmissions does not receive, or is slow to receive, an intended gear selection. Vehicle came to a complete stop while driving. Get message there is no manual mode available.
NHTSA complaint #11627998 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2014 Fiat 500L. The contact stated while her daughter was driving 50 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The driver was able to coast to the shoulder of the roadway, and the contact became aware that the vehicle had shifted into neutral independently and was unable to shift back into gear. The transmission warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the body control module. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 69,000.
NHTSA complaint #11621386 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Issues with shifting out of park. Random acceleration, stalling, lagging, & jerking while on the road & in full speed traffic. When took car to dealership was told issues with my PCM. PCM had been recalled & fixed with previous owner in 2017. Now the second time having a PCM issue, couldn't do anything with the already fixed recall so i was forced to pay almost 2,000. Now still leaving me with the same issues. Cruise control accelerates on its own, almost causing accident with other cars on highway. Will be going 60 in traffic & it will randomly start to decrease in speed while foot is fully on gas. Possible throttle body issue, RMPS rev up to red while only going 35mph.
NHTSA complaint #11601547 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Was driving car on highway and car stopped no excelleration nothing just stopped. Pulled over with no visible signs of anything wrong. Car would not start. After a few moments car started drove down highway about 10 miles to my home car stopped again but this time would not start at all. Gave code for power train.
NHTSA complaint #11538227 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
So the dealer fixed the transmission / power train recall in 2020, my car is now doing exactly what the recall states, getting stuck in park, asking me to put engine in neutral and then drive without the car moving, so on and so forth. Fiat, as well as the repair dealer northside imports, is refusing to fix this issue as they state the car is out of warranty, and they feel they fixed the recall. This car only has 73k miles on it. The other issue of complaint is that the wire melted on the blower fan for the ac unit. Smelled burning wires in the car, and both fiat and dealer state that is normal wear and tear. That is not, as it could have caused a fire inside the car, luckily i was able to pull over and put out the smoldering wire. I need this fixed, and fiat is refusing to cover. They stated i need a new power train module and transmission which cost 12k which is 4k higher than the actual value of the car. During this whole time, fiat and the dealership was recommending that i purchase a new car. I want to know how i can get this fixed or the manufacturer to acknowledge they have a safety issue. I also got charged 326 dollars just for them to diagnose the issue. nothing fixed. 326 dollars to plug in a machine for 15 minutes. This is very wrong.
NHTSA complaint #11463463 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Recalls T19/NHTSA 17V-192 and P06/NHTSA 14V-103 I have taken mt Fiat 500L to Crown Fiat Dublin ohio for the same things that the above recalls show. I have looked on line and it showes that the recalls have been done, but I am still having the same problem with the vehicle. What should I do now if they can not remedy this problem. Any help on this is greatly appreciated.
NHTSA complaint #11422545 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM MANHATTAN ALFA ROMEO FIAT IN DEC 2017. IT HAD 17000 MILES AND I PURCHASED AND EXTENDED WARRANTY WITH ZURICH FOR POWER TAIN FROM MANHATTAN FIAT. THE CAR HAD 1 RECALLS FOR TRANSMISSION ISSUES ON IN MARCH 2014 AND ONE IN MARCH 2017. THE CAR NOW NEEDS A COMPLETE NEW TRANSMISSION AND IT ONLY HAS 52457 MILES. THE REPAIR IS OVER $7000. THE WARRANTY IS CLAIMING THAT IT WILL NOT COVER THE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE IT IS OUTSIDE PARTS OF THE TRANSMISSION -HYDRALLIC SUPPLY UNIT BUT THE PART CAN ONLY BE REPLACED AS A WHOLE UNIT. I CALLED CHRYSLER/FIAT HEADQUARTERS AND THEY WOULD NOT HELP ME. THE CAR HAS HAD TRANSMISSION ISSUES FROM WHEN IT WAS MADE. ALL THE RECALLS AND ISSUES WITH THE CAR THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO HELP ME. THE EXTENDED WARRANTY NOT COVERING THE TRANSMISSION REPAIR BECAUSE THEY DEEM IT AN OUTSIDE PART WHEN IT IS PART OF THE TRANSMISSION. WHO CAN A CONSUMER TURN TO. THIS IS FRAUD.
NHTSA complaint #11406734 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SOMETHING GOING ON WITH THE TRANSMISSION MODULE A IT'S RUNS BUT SOMETIMES WHEN IT APPEARS SOMETHING IS STUCK CAUSING TRANSMISSION LIGHT APPEAR AND SOMETIMES IT STOPS ME IN MIDDLE OF ROAD NOT GOING IT'S DISCONNECTED SOMEWHERE NOT SAFE IN MIDDLE OF ROAD SEEMS IT'S NEVER BEEN FIXED FROM RECALL?? IT DID TO ME IN MIDDLE OF ROAD EVEN IT'S NOT OVERHEAT AS WELL HAD TO SHUT OFF WAIT FOR LIKE 1 MINUTE THEN START AND GO IT WOULDN'T START RIGHT AWAY SOMETHING WITH THE SENSOR SOMEWHERE FOR NO APPEARLY REASON OVER ALL IT RUNS GREAT BUT SOMETHING TO DO WOTH MODULE A IS WHAT THEY SEEN ON THE CHECK UP WHEN ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. DID IT 3 TIMES IN ME IN MIDDLE OF ROAD WHEN TRANSMISSION WON'T GO LIKE I SAID I WAS TOLD WHEN THEY DID THE DEVICE CHECKING WHEN ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND CHECKED FROM THERE . BEEN DOING THIS MORE LAST MONTH AND THIS MONTHLIES IT NEED UPDATE OR WHAT NEED HELP PLEASE
NHTSA complaint #11388502 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I ALONG WITH MANY OTHER 2014 FIAT 500L HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. OUR OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS NOT READING CORRECTLY WHICH 100% AFFECTS THE HEATING AND COOLING. THE TEMPERATURE ALWAYS READS 30 DEGREES COLDER THEN THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE REALLY IS. SO MY AC WON'T RUN COLD ON A 90 DEGREE TEMPERATURE DAY (LIKE TODAY). BECAUSE THE CAR THINKS IT IS 60 DEGREES OUTSIDE. IT WILL ACTUALLY ONLY BLOW WARM AIR ON AN 80 DEGREE DAY BECAUSE THE TEMP SHOWS THAT IT IS 50 DEGREES OUTSIDE. HOW DOES THIS GET FIXED WHEN WE CAN NOT PURCHASE THE PART NEEDED. OTHERS BOUGHT THE WHOLE NEW DRIVERS SIDE MIRROR THAT HOUSES THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE SENSOR THAT IT 'THE PROBLEM'. AND WITHIN MONTHS, THIS SENSOR DOES THE SAME THING AND STARTS READING THE WRONG TEMPERATURE. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND FIXED. THE TEMPERATURE IS READING WRONG 100 PERCENT OF THE TIME. WEATHER MOVING OR STATIONARY. OR PARKED IN THE GARAGE OR OUTSIDE.
NHTSA complaint #11339458 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FIAT 500L. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL THE WARNING LIGHT FLASHED ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND WHEN DRIVING THE ENGINE LOST ENGINE POWER CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO DECREASE IN SPEED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITH NO WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE AND A PASSERBY HAD TO ASSIST WITH MOVING THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY. A DEALER HAD NOT DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE YET. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE OWNERS RESIDENCE DUE TO THE INTERMITTENT FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V192000 (POWER TRAIN) AND WAS WAITING TO DETERMINE FROM THE MANUFACTURER IF THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,299.
NHTSA complaint #11207253 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNSAFE VEHICLE: 1: CAR WAS STATIONARY FOR A SHORT PERIOD AT A RED LIGHT; TRIED TO ACCELERATE & CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. LEFT ME STRANDED FOR HALF HOUR. 2: CAR WAS STATIONARY AGAIN AT RED LIGHT & STALLED, LEAVING MY DAUGHTER STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. 3. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AT ALL. MOST OF MY ROAD TIME WAS HIGHWAY. DANGEROUS TO NOT BE ABLE TO MOVE OUT OF THE WAY OF PEOPLE TRAVELING 70-80MPH. 4. WHILE DRIVING, TURNING AT AN INTERSECTION, THE CAR STALLED AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE, PUTTING MY DAUGHTER AND I IN THE MIDDLE OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. 5. WHILE STATIONARY, CAR WOULD GO INTO GEAR, BUT WOULD NOT MOVE IN ANY DIRECTION. THIS IS THE 2ND FIAT I OWNED AND WILL NEVER RECOMMEND OR BUY ANOTHER ONE DUE TO SAFETY ISSUES. 1ST FIAT WAS FINE, THIS ONE IS UNSAFE. I HAVE BEEN CHEATED. I CANNOT SELL OR DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE ITS TRASH AND UNRELIABLE. MY HUSBAND IS IN THE MILITARY AND OUR FAMILY WAS TRANSFERRED TO HI. WE HAD TO LEAVE MY CAR BEHIND ON THE MAINLAND BECAUSE IT IS NOT DRIVABLE. IT IS SITTING, STRANDED IN A DRIVEWAY WHILE WE CONTINUE TO PAY THE LOAN AND FULL COVERAGE INSURANCE. A 5 YEAR OLD CAR THAT I HAVE TAKEN VERY GOOD CARE OF IS LITERALLY FALLING APART AND A THROW AWAY CAR. THE CAR WAS NOT 5 YEARS OLD WHEN THE ISSUES STARTED. THIS NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF AT THE EXPENSE OF THE DEALER. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS AND OTHER FIAT OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES. I HAVE BEEN TOLD I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION FOR $4,000. WHY WOULD I BE RESPONSIBLE TO PAY THAT WHEN THERE SHOULD NOT BE TRANSMISSION ISSUES ON IT TO BEGIN WITH? HOW MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE TO COMPLAIN FOR THIS TO COME TO LIGHT? VERY UNFAIR TO THE CONSUMER. MY RADIO ALSO POWERS DOWN BY ITSELF. MY AIR COMPRESSOR WENT OUT & COST 1,700 TO REPLACE. WHEN I PURCHASED THIS CAR, I WAS A SINGLE MOM. I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION I WAS BUYING A RELIABLE CAR THAT WAS GOOD ON GAS AND WOULD LAST MANY YEARS.
NHTSA complaint #11190913 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUMMARY FACTS: JANUARY 15, 2019 - TRAVELING IN A STATE ADJACENT TO WHERE THE FIAT WAS PURCHASED. TRAFFIC WAS AT A VIRTUAL STAND STILL AND AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, AFTER ABOUT 20 MINUTES DRIVING, WHITE SMOKE WAS EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE AREA. THERE WAS A DISTINCT BURNING SMELL, LIKE ELECTRICAL WIRING BURNING. THE AIR CONDITIONING WAS ON; WHEN THE WHITE SMOKE AND BURNING SMELL WAS OBSERVED, THE A/C WAS TURNED OFF AND THE BURNING AND SMOKE CEASED. BESIDES THE DRIVER, A PASSENGER IN THE FIAT OBSERVED THE WHITE SMOKE AND EXPERIENCED THE BURNING SMELL AS WELL. THE DEALER THAT SOLD THE FIAT AND WHERE THE FIAT HAS BEEN SERVICED WAS CALLED. THEIR ADVICE WAS TO EXIT THE MOTORWAY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND CALL THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT TO ENSURE THERE WAS NOT AN ONGOING ELECTRICAL FIRE WHICH MIGHT CAUSE THE FIAT TO EXPLODE. THE FIRST AVAILABLE EXIT WAS TAKEN AND THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT CALLED. UPON THEIR ARRIVAL, NO ELECTRICAL FIRE WAS OBSERVED; THEY ADVISED TAKING THE FIAT TO A QUALIFIED REPAIR SHOP IMMEDIATELY TO BE EXAMINED AND TESTED. LATER, THE A/C WAS TRIED, BUT DID NOT SEEM TO WORK. THE A/C WAS THEN TURNED OFF UNTIL THE FIAT WAS TAKEN TO THE FIAT DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN IN THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT SUPPOSEDLY RAN A FULL RANGE OF DIAGNOSTIC TESTS ON THE FIAT AND IN PARTICULAR THE A/C, INCLUDING TESTING ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS, AND FREON LEVELS WHICH WERE OKAY, INDICATING NO FREON LEAKS. THEY TESTED THE FUNCTIONALITY OF THE A/C; THEY INDICATED IT WAS PERFORMING AS IT SHOULD. THEREFORE, THE FIAT DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE FIAT AND COULD PROVIDE NO PLAUSIBLE EXPLANATION WHY WHITE SMOKE WAS BEING EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE AREA AND THE BURNING SMELL. THEIR ONLY ADVICE WAS TO BRING THE FIAT BACK IN FOR SERVICE SHOULD THE SAME SITUATION RE-OCCUR. THIS RAISES DOUBT ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS FIAT.
NHTSA complaint #11171006 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CAR CONTINUES TO HAVE PROBLEMS 3/2/15 CAR STALLED MONTHS FOLLOWING PURCHASE OF THE CAR NEW TOLD IT WAS A ISSUE WITH THE COLD TEMPS AND BATTERY WAS NOT SWAPPED UPON ARRIVAL IN US. MONTHS LATER 11/17/15 THE CALL BEGAN TO STALL AGAIN IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND TOLD A RECALL WAS ISSUED AND HE CAR NEEDED TO BE UPDATED AND IT WILL CORRECT THE ISSUE. CAR IMMEDIATELY STARTED TO STALL 12/17/15 AND BACK IN THE SHOP DID NOT IDENTIFY ISSUE UNTIL 12/26/15 AND TOLD THE ISSUE WAS CONTROL MODULE 9/9/17 CAR STARTED TO STALL AGAIN DID NOT IDENTIFY ISSUE. 10/26/17 STALLING AGAIN DID NOT IDENTIFY ISSUE BE BELIEVE DEALER HAD RECALL. DECEMBER 2018 CALL STALLING ISSUES OCCURRED MORE FREQUENTLY AND IN JANUARY CODE STATED CONTROL MODULE WAS FAILING AGAIN. 6/1/2018 COMPLAINED TO FIAT ABOUT INEXPERIENCED SERVICE TECHS. 11/2/18 CAR BROUGHT TO DEALER FOR SERVICE, ROTATION AND INSPECTION CHECKS. 12/7/18 CAR IS NOT DRIVING PROPERLY LEARNED TODAY ONE BRAKE PAD OF ALL INSTALLED WORN DOWN COMPLETELY WHILE OTHERS ARE AT 10. VERY CONCERN WITH ONLY 26K MILES ON CAR FIAT LACK OF RESPONSE TO CONSUMER TO RESOLVE THE CAR CONCERNS. SERVICE ADVISOR INFORMED ME THE TECH DECIDED THE TIRES DID NOT ROTATE TIRES WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKE INSPECTION TO BE OVERLOOKED. VERY CONCERN CONSUMERS PAY FOR ADDITIONAL SERVICE FIAT DOES NOT PERFORM AND BRAKE ISSUE COULD HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AND NOW 6 DAYS OUT OF WARRANTY. CONSUMER FOOT THE BILL.
NHTSA complaint #11160897 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR TO ACCELERATE AFTER BRAKING. THIS RESULT INTO THE CAR GOING INTO TRAFFIC AND RISKING A CRASH DUE TO ITS INABILITY TO SHIFT INTO GEAR TO ACCELERATE FASTER. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE PURCHASE IN 2016. THE DEALER SAID THAT IT WAS NORMAL FOR FIATS. 2. THE CAR WILL NOT SHIFT IN GEAR. MOST TIMES IT DOES NOT ALLOW ME TO GO INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE FROM PARK. IT NOTIFIES ME TO GO INTO NEUTRAL FIRST THEN IN REVERSE/DRIVE. MOST TIMES THIS HAS TO BE DONE ABOUT 4-5 TIMES BEFORE IT ALLOWS ME TO MOVE. SOME DAYS IT DOESN'T MOVE AT ALL. SOME DAYS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND SOME DAYS IT DOESN'T. THERE IS SOMETHING HERE THAT IS NOT CONNECTING. THIS IS A HAZARD TO MYSELF AND MY CHILDREN BECAUSE THERE HAS BEEN TIMES WHEN THE CAR JUST TURN OFF ON ITS ON AND WHEN TRYING TO CRANK IT, IT WONT INITIALLY. OR ONCE RUNNING, IT WON'T MOVE AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHT. THERE HAVE BEEN COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE FROM OTHER OWNERS OF THIS CAR MAKE AND MODEL. I TOOK IT IN TO A FIAT DEALERSHIP/SERVICE AND THEY NOTIFIED ME THERE WAS NO RECALL BUT IT WAS INDEED SENSORS GOING OFF FOR THE THE TRANSMISSION. THEY THEN TRIED TO CHARGE ME. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED AND SERVICE AT NO COST. THIS WAS A PROBLEM SINCE I PURCHASED THIS CAR AND WAS MISLEAD BY THE RUNNING CONDITIONS OF THIS CAR.
NHTSA complaint #11114109 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.