The 2019 Fiat 500 offers distinctive styling and city-friendly dimensions, but potential buyers should prioritize confirming that both its recalls have been addressed, particularly the manual transmission shifter shaft issue.
Calculated from 10,000+ NHTSA, EPA & owner-complaint data pointsHow we score
Specifications by model year
Every section below is populated from the available EPA, NHTSA, and vehicle-specification data for this model.
EPA-rated city, highway, and combined economy by year.
Powertrain specifications can vary between model years.
| Year | Body style | Cylinders | Displacement | Fuel type | Engine code | Transmission | Drivetrain | Horsepower | Engine configuration | Torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | hatchback | 4 | 1.4 | Premium | — | Electronic Continuously Variable (e-CVT) | FWD/Front-Wheel Drive | — | — | — |
| 2018 | hatchback | 4 | 1.4 | Premium | — | Automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | — | — | — |
| 2017 | hatchback | 4 | 1.4 | Premium | — | Manual/Standard | FWD/Front-Wheel Drive | 160 | In-Line | — |
| 2016 | hatchback | 4 | 1.4 | Premium | — | Automatic 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | — | — | — |
| 2015 | hatchback | 4 | 1.4 | Premium | — | Automatic 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | — | — | — |
| 2014 | hatchback | 4 | 1.4 | Premium | TJET | Automatic 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 101-160 hp | Inline-4 | 98-170 lb-ft |
| 2013 | hatchback | 4 | 1.4 | Premium | — | Automatic 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | — | — | — |
| 2012 | hatchback | 4 | 1.4 | Premium | — | Automatic 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | — | — | — |
Original pricing and model configuration where available.
Seating, cargo, and physical configuration by model year.
| Year | Seats | Doors | Cargo (L) | Cargo (cu ft) | Steering location | Entertainment system | Seat rows | GVWR | Axles | Wheels | Wheelbase | Front wheel | Rear wheel | Turbo | Brakes | bodyAndInterior |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 4 | — | — | — | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) | CD + Stereo | 2 | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | 2 | 4 | 90.6 | 16 | 16 | — | — | Steering location: Left-Hand Drive (LHD), Entertainment system: CD + Stereo, Seat rows: 2 |
| 2018 | 4 | — | — | — | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) | — | — | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | 2 | 4 | 90.6 | 15 | 15 | — | — | Steering location: Left-Hand Drive (LHD) |
| 2017 | 4 | 2 | 269 | 9.5 | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) | — | 2 | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | 2 | 4 | 90.6 | 15 | 15 | Yes | Front vented discs; rear solid discs | Steering location: Left-Hand Drive (LHD), Seat rows: 2 |
| 2016 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2014 | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2012 | 4 | 2 | 269 | 9.5 | — | — | — | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
NHTSA safety ratings and listed driver-assistance availability.
| Year | Frontal crash | Rollover | Rated vehicle | abs | esc | tractionControl | tpms | autoBrake | rearCamera | adaptiveDrivingBeam | autoReverseSystem | Overall rating | Side crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 4 | 4 | 2019 FIAT 500 3 HB FWD | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | — | — |
| 2018 | 4 | 4 | 2018 Fiat 500 3 HB FWD | standard | standard | — | — | — | standard | — | — | — | — |
| 2017 | 4 | 4 | 2017 Fiat 500 3 HB FWD | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | — | standard | standard | 4 | 5 |
| 2016 | 4 | 4 | 2016 Fiat 500 3 HB FWD | — | — | — | standard | — | — | — | — | 4 | 5 |
| 2015 | 4 | 4 | 2015 Fiat 500 3 HB FWD | — | — | — | standard | — | — | — | — | 4 | 5 |
| 2014 | 4 | 4 | 2014 Fiat 500 3 HB FWD | — | — | — | standard | — | — | — | — | 4 | 5 |
| 2013 | 4 | 4 | 2013 Fiat 500 3 HB FWD | — | — | — | standard | — | — | — | — | 4 | 5 |
| 2012 | 4 | 4 | 2012 Fiat 500 3 HB FWD Later Release | — | — | — | standard | — | — | — | — | 3 | 3 |
Model year reports
The 2019 Fiat 500 offers distinctive styling and city-friendly dimensions, but potential buyers should prioritize confirming that both its recalls have been addressed, particularly the manual transmission shifter shaft issue.
The 2018 Fiat 500 presents an average reliability profile, with a notable concern regarding **service brakes** that exhibit diving behavior under aggressive braking.
The 2017 Fiat 500 presents a mixed reliability picture.
The 2016 Fiat 500 presents a below-average reliability record, primarily due to significant concerns with its powertrain, specifically clutch failures that can lead to a loss of motive power.
The 2015 Fiat 500 presents a below-average reliability outlook, primarily due to significant powertrain concerns, particularly with the manual transmission clutch.
The 2014 Fiat 500 is a stylish subcompact with a city-friendly footprint, but its below-average reliability, particularly concerning the powertrain, demands careful consideration.
The 2013 Fiat 500 presents a below-average reliability profile, primarily due to significant powertrain and electrical system concerns.
The 2012 Fiat 500 is considered below average for reliability, with significant concerns centered on its **power train**, particularly clutch and transmission failures.
Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.
Carfocal currently has 8 published 500 reports, covering 2012 through 2019. Compare the year-specific reports directly to see how reliability, recalls, ownership costs, and value change over time. The newest published verdict says: The 2019 Fiat 500 offers distinctive styling and city-friendly dimensions, but potential buyers should prioritize confirming that both its recalls have been addressed, particularly the manual transmission shifter shaft issue.
Published year coverage: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019.
There is no single reliability answer for every Fiat 500. Carfocal's published year reports show why the model year matters, with verdicts that include the 2019 fiat 500 offers distinctive styling and city-friendly dimensions, but potential buyers should prioritize confirming that both its recalls have been addressed, particularly the manual transmission shifter shaft issue. and the 2019 fiat 500 can represent good value if purchased at a competitive price, especially given its unique styling. Compare the report for the year you are considering before you make a decision.
8 published year-specific reports are available for comparison.
Across Carfocal's published 500 guides, recurring problem areas include Manual Transmission Shifter Assembly, Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), and Brake Pads and Rotors. The exact risk depends on the model year, so open the report for the vehicle you are evaluating to see which issues, recalls, and repair concerns apply.
Common problem areas found in published repair predictions: Manual Transmission Shifter Assembly, Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), and Brake Pads and Rotors.