2013 Fiat 500 Owner Complaints
Complaint Summary
The 2013 Fiat 500 has 213 reported complaints.
- Top issues involve power train and engine.
Reliability Score
Reliability Score
Based on 213 complaints
Most Frequent Issues
POWER TRAIN
76 35.7%
ENGINE
22 10.3%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
18 8.5%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
16 7.5%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
12 5.6%
Quick Insights
The top category is POWER TRAIN, accounting for 35.7% of all complaints.
Owners have reported issues across 23 distinct vehicle systems.
Note: Complaint data reflects owner reports and may not always indicate a verified defect. Compare with Recalls and TSBs for a complete picture.
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What owners keep reporting on the 2013 Fiat 500
The 2013 Fiat 500 has 213 owner complaints in this dataset. POWER TRAIN is the most common complaint category, representing about 36% of the reports shown here.
Most common complaint categories
The top complaint groups for the 2013 Fiat 500 are POWER TRAIN (76), ENGINE (22), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (18).
Are these complaints a serious red flag?
Potentially. 76 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems like brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection.
What should buyers inspect on a used 2013 Fiat 500?
Start with the top complaint systems, compare them against the recall report, then inspect service records for evidence that those same areas were already repaired or monitored.
Detailed Complaint Log
Showing 23 of 23 systems
POWER TRAIN
76 Reports36% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
TECH FOUND TRANSMISSION LEAKING AND SEALED WITH EPOXY. SECOND LEAK WAS UNAWARE A REPAIR HAD BEEN MADE UNTIL I RETURNED CAR TO DEALER FOR A LEAK FOUND MY OIL CAN HENRY'S
5/19/2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FIAT 500. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS A LOUD SCREECHING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD TO BE LIGHTLY DEPRESSED AND THE STEERING WHEEL HAD TO BE TURNED IN ORDER FOR THE NOISE TO SUBSIDE. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. A WEEK LATER, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT STRUT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AGAIN WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR BRAKES FAILED AND THE CALIPER SEIZED, WHICH CAUSED THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE ROTOR TO ABNORMALLY DETERIORATE. THE ROTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. A FEW MONTHS LATER, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CLUTCH COULD NOT BE DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT SHIFT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 3,171.
7/2/2015
ENGINE
22 Reports10% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FIAT 500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD INDEPENDENTLY DECELERATE. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND WHEN RESTARTED, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOUR TIMES FOR THE RECURRING FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,600.
3/25/2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FIAT 500. WHILE TURNING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED THAT THE COMPUTER BE REPROGRAMMED. THE REPAIR FAILED TO REMEDY THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000.
10/27/2014
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
18 Reports8% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
I RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM FCA US LLC REGARDING MY VEHICLE'S SAFETY RECALL (S34 / NHTSA 16V-302) ABOUT A MONTH A HALF NOW. EVERY TIME I TRY TO REACH FIAT OR THE FCA RECALL ASSISTANCE CENTER, THEY KEEP TELLING ME THAT THE PART HAS NOT BEEN RECEIVED. PER THE FCA'S NOTICE IT INDICATES THE FOLLOWING "THE INABILITY TO DISENGAGE THE CLUTCH, SHIFT GEARS AND/OR LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER COULD CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING". IT'S BEEN OVER A MONTH THAT I GET IN MY CAR WONDERING WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN --WILL I CRASH, GET HURT OR EVEN DIE DUE TO THIS?!!? YET NO ONE IS HELPING AND I KEEP GETTING THE RUN-AROUND. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET THE PART IN QUESTION? THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AS WE TRUST THE CARS WE BUY TO BE SAFE!!
7/26/2016
THE FIAT HAS CONTINUOUS DIFFICULTY SHIFTING GEARS. MANY TIMES IT WON'T SHIFT OUT OF 2ND OR 3RD GEAR AT ALL EVEN WHEN GOING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE RPM STAYS AT 3-4 WHEN THIS HAPPENS. IT IS ALSO DIFFICULT TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT FEELING LIKE THE CAR IS GOING TO EXPLODE. IN MID-NOVEMBER I WAS LOOKING ONLINE AS TO A POSSIBLE PROBLEM AND FOUND A RECALL "S34" THAT BEGAN ON 11/10/16 WHERE IT IS DESCRIBED AS "THE CLUTCH DIAPHRAGM SPRING CAN FRACTURE & FAIL, CAUSING AN INABILITY TO SWITCH GEARS". THE REMEDY WAS TO INSTALL A CLUTCH PEDAL LIMITER & CLUTCH PEDAL SWITCH. THE DEALER SAID THAT THERE WAS NO REMEDY AT THIS TIME. I WENT ON THIS WEBSITE AGAIN AND NOW THERE IS NO RECALLS LISTED? CALLED SEVERAL PEOPLE INCLUDING THE FCA RECALL LINE AND THERE ISN'T A RECALL FOR THIS CAR. WHEN I CHECKED ONLINE BEFORE I SAW MANY COMMENTS AND COMPLAINTS ABOUT NOT BEING ABLE TO GET THE RECALL S34 PART, SO A SOLUTION WAS NEVER REACHED.
12/28/2016
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
16 Reports8% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FIAT 500. WHILE TURNING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED THAT THE COMPUTER BE REPROGRAMMED. THE REPAIR FAILED TO REMEDY THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000.
10/27/2014
THE HEADLIGHTS AND TAILLIGHTS WILL NOT WORK. THE BULBS "BURN OUT" AS SOON AS THEY ARE REPLACED. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED, THE MANUFACTURER SIMPLY REPLACED THEM WHILE UNDER WARRANTY - NOW THAT THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND THEIR DEALERSHIPS ARE CLOSED IN THE STATE THEY WISH TO HAVE ME TAKE THE CAR OUT OF STATE, PAY FOR A RENTAL WHILE THEY ATTEMPT TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE GIVEN THEM 5 OPPORTUNITIES PRIOR TO THIS TIME TO DO SO AND EACH TIME WAS TOLD IT WAS "BAD BULBS". I CANNOT GET THE VEHICLE INSPECTED AND THERE IS ALSO A RECALL THAT I CANNOT GET SERVICED DUE TO THEIR OTHER FACILITIES BEING UNEQUIPPED TO SERVICE THIS PRODUCT. THERE ARE OTHER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS THAT HAVE PLAGUED THE VEHICLE AND STILL ARE, BUT WILL NOT CAUSE A SAFETY INSPECTION FAILURE. THESE TOO HAVE BEEN SUPPOSEDLY REPAIRED IN THE PAST ONLY TO REOCCUR. I AM SEEKING YOUR ASSISTANCE AS I HAVE RECEIVED NO RESOLUTION FROM THE MANUFACTURER AND DO NOT HAVE THE MEANS TO PAY FOR A RENTAL CAR OF UNKNOWN DURATION FOR THEM TO ATTEMPT TO DIAGNOSE THIS FOR THE 6TH TIME. ANY HELP I CAN GET IS APPRECIATED. THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE OCCURRENCES SINCE 2013.
9/5/2016
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
12 Reports6% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FIAT 500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THERE WAS A ROCK OR METAL PIECE THAT HIT THE FUEL TANK. THE FUEL FROM THE GAS TANK LEAKED OUT OF THE TANK AND ONTO THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE DIAGNOSIS ON THE VEHICLE WAS A FAULTY FUEL TANK. THERE WERE NO REPAIRS COMPLETED ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.
8/6/2014
MY 2013 FIAT ABARTH WAS REAR ENDED. I WAS STOPPED. THE OTHER DRIVER, IN A GRAND CHEROKEE, REAR ENDED ME. HIS SPEED WAS APPROXIMATELY 20-30 MPH. I WAS KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS BRIEFLY & HAD SEVERE HEAD PAIN. I AM STILL UNDERGOING TREATMENT. NONE OF MY CARS SAFETY FEATURES WORKED, INCLUDING THE FUEL PUMP SHUT OFF. I BELIEVE THE SEAT HIT ME IN THE HEAD. THE ABARTH HAS UNIQUE, HIGH BACKED SEATS WITH A FIXED / INTEGRATED HEAD REST WITH A HARD, PLASTIC INSERT. MY SEATBELTS FAILED TO TIGHTEN AND THE FUEL PUMP FAILED TO SHUT OFF. I WORKED FOR CHRYSLER FIAT AT THE TIME AND DID TELL PEOPLE IN ENGINEERING ABOUT THE CONCERN. I SUFFERED A CONCUSSION & NOW HAVE CONSTANT, DAILY HEADACHES AND MIGRAINES.
6/5/2015
AIR BAGS
10 Reports5% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
EXPERIENCED REPEATED FAILURE OF THE AIR BAG SAFETY SYSTEM. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN FOR REPAIR FOUR TIMES AND FAILURE REOCCURED AT BETWEEN 1 AND 80 MILES DISABELING THE AIR BAG SAFETY SYSTEM. *TR
10/30/2013
MY 2013 FIAT 500 WAS HIT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE CAR. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND I BROKE MY ARM AND HAD A HEAD INJURY... UPDATED 08-20-14 *BF--UPDATED 08-26-14*BF UPDATED 09/2/2014 *JS
7/20/2014
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
9 Reports4% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FIAT 500. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS BURNED OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.
6/6/2016
WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT MY CAR I HAD ISSUES WITH A TAIL LIGHT GOING OUT WITHIN THE FIRST 6 MONTHS. THEN A HEADLIGHT 2 MONTHS AFTER THAT THEN 12 MONTHS A TAILLIGHT THEN ANOTHER TAILLIGHT AND HEADLIGHT WELL YOU SEE WHAT I MEAN THEN THEY RECALLED A CLUCH ON MY CAR BUT THEY DIDNT HAVE A REPLACEMNT PART YET AND THEY NEVER CONTACTED ME ABOUT THE RECALL I ASSUME IT WAS THIS ORGANIZATION BUT WHEN I WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT THE CLUCH JUST DROPPED OUT FROM UNDER MY FOOT AND ALMOST CAUSE ME TO CRASH WHEN I RECOVERED AND HAD TO STOPO BECAUSE OF A RED LIGHT I THROUGH ON MY EMERGANCIES AND ANOTHER TAIL LIGHT WENT OUT BUT THIS TIME I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED BECAUSE THEY THOUGHT I WAS SWITHCHING LANES I NEVER RECIEVED A WARNING LIGHT THAT MY TAILLIGHT WAS OUT NOW I HAVE HAD MY TAIL LIGHT GO OUT AGAIN AND A HEADLIGHT WITHIN A MONTH OF EACH OTHER AND STILL NO WARNING SIGN ALSO NOW THE BATTERY IS GOING OUT ON ME SOMETHIMES I CAN START THE SOMETIMES I CANT BUT NO WARNING SIGN UNLESS ITS NOT GOING TO TURN OVER AT ALL THEN I GET ALL THE BELLS GOING OFF FOR THAT WHEN THEY WERE REPAIRING THE CLUCH I ASKED ABOUT MY WARRENTY AND THEY SAID IT ALREADY RAN OUT BUT THAT WASNT TRUE I WAS CLOSE BUT I HAVE RUST PINHOLES COMING FROM UNDER THE PAINT ALL OVER MY WHITE CAR.
3/2/2017
STRUCTURE:BODY
8 Reports4% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
EXPRESSWAY DRIVING AT 55MPH WHEN TRAFFIC CAME TO AN ABRUPT HALT. HARD BREAKING TRANSPIRED, ATTEMPT AT EVASION, RESULTING IN A FRONT IMPACT INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND THEN A REBOUND IMPACT INTO A RETAINMENT WALL ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. NONE OF THE 7 AIRBAGS DEPLOYED...UPDATED 05/07/15 *BF UPDATED 9/16/2015 *JS *TR
4/21/2015
MY 2013 FIAT ABARTH WAS REAR ENDED. I WAS STOPPED. THE OTHER DRIVER, IN A GRAND CHEROKEE, REAR ENDED ME. HIS SPEED WAS APPROXIMATELY 20-30 MPH. I WAS KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS BRIEFLY & HAD SEVERE HEAD PAIN. I AM STILL UNDERGOING TREATMENT. NONE OF MY CARS SAFETY FEATURES WORKED, INCLUDING THE FUEL PUMP SHUT OFF. I BELIEVE THE SEAT HIT ME IN THE HEAD. THE ABARTH HAS UNIQUE, HIGH BACKED SEATS WITH A FIXED / INTEGRATED HEAD REST WITH A HARD, PLASTIC INSERT. MY SEATBELTS FAILED TO TIGHTEN AND THE FUEL PUMP FAILED TO SHUT OFF. I WORKED FOR CHRYSLER FIAT AT THE TIME AND DID TELL PEOPLE IN ENGINEERING ABOUT THE CONCERN. I SUFFERED A CONCUSSION & NOW HAVE CONSTANT, DAILY HEADACHES AND MIGRAINES.
6/5/2015
SERVICE BRAKES
7 Reports3% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
AT LOW SPEEDS 20 MPH AND BELOW YOU COULD HEAR A GRINDING NOISE THAT SOUNDED MUCH LIKE BAD BRAKES BEARINGS. SECOND TIME WE SUGGESTED THIS PROBLEM. FIRST TIME THE TECH SAID HE COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE NOISE. THIS TIME THEY FOUND BOTH OF THE REAR BEARING HAD BEEN COMPLETELY EATEN AWAY BY BRAKE DUST INSIDE THE BEARING ASSEMBLY.
5/19/2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FIAT 500. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS A LOUD SCREECHING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD TO BE LIGHTLY DEPRESSED AND THE STEERING WHEEL HAD TO BE TURNED IN ORDER FOR THE NOISE TO SUBSIDE. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. A WEEK LATER, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT STRUT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AGAIN WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR BRAKES FAILED AND THE CALIPER SEIZED, WHICH CAUSED THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE ROTOR TO ABNORMALLY DETERIORATE. THE ROTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. A FEW MONTHS LATER, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CLUTCH COULD NOT BE DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT SHIFT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 3,171.
7/2/2015
STEERING
6 Reports3% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
CENTER EMBLEM KEEPS COMING OUT OF THE MIDDLE OF THE STEERING WHEEL REVEALING THE AIRBAG BEHIND IT. I KEEP "POPPING" IT BACK IN PLACE, BUT IT DOES NOT STAY. THE NEAREST DEALER FOR REPAIRS IS 90 MILES AWAY. I SCHEDULED A TIME FOR THEM TO LOOK AT IT, BUT NOW HAVE TO BRING IT IN AGAIN SO THEY CAN KEEP IT LONGER TO DETERMINE IF IT JUST NEEDS THAT PIECE REPAIRED OR IF I NEED A WHOLE NEW STEERING WHEEL. I CAN ONLY HOPE THE AIRBAG DOES NOT DEPLOY FROM BEHIND THIS LOOSE PIECE AS IT IS CLEARLY NOT ATTACHED TO ANYTHING. *TR
6/24/2014
AT LOW SPEEDS 20 MPH AND BELOW YOU COULD HEAR A GRINDING NOISE THAT SOUNDED MUCH LIKE BAD BRAKES BEARINGS. SECOND TIME WE SUGGESTED THIS PROBLEM. FIRST TIME THE TECH SAID HE COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE NOISE. THIS TIME THEY FOUND BOTH OF THE REAR BEARING HAD BEEN COMPLETELY EATEN AWAY BY BRAKE DUST INSIDE THE BEARING ASSEMBLY.
5/19/2015
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
5 Reports2% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FIAT 500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17. *TR
5/28/2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FIAT 500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. *TR
7/5/2013
TIRES
4 Reports2% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FIAT 500 SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE EXPERIENCED A BLOW OUT. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT THE SAME DEFECT OCCURRED WITH THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT TIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60.
4/15/2014
HAD TO REPLACE THE OEM TIRES ON MY 2013 FIAT 500 @ 5000 MI BECAUSE OF SIDEWALL BULGE,. TIRE SIZE IS 185 55 15 FIRESTONE FIREHAWK GT. NO LETTERS AFTER GT,FIRESTONE STORE TOLD ME ITS A ROAD HAZARD PROBLEM. I LOOKED ON THE WEB FOR FIAT TIRE PROBLEMS,OTHERS ARE HAVING SAME PROBLEM BUT SEEMS TO ONLY BE CARS WITH FIRESTONES.SO I BELIEVE THERE IS A PROBLEM,NONE OF MY 5 OTHER CARS,WHICH GO THE SAME PLACES HAVE A TIRE PROBLEM. I JUST TRIED TO CALL IN TO VSH HOTLINE AND GOT TREATED LIKE AN IDIOT. I'VE BEEN A MECHANIC FOR OVER 30 YEARS,I MAY HAVE SOME INSIGHT OF WHAT IS NORMAL TIRE PERFORMANCE. *TR
4/22/2014
SEAT BELTS
4 Reports2% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
THE BUCKLING MECHANISM IS JAMMED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE CAUSING ME NOT TO BE ABLE TO BUCKLE THE SEAT BELT IN MY CAR. THE CAR "THINKS" THERE IS ALREADY A SEAT BELT BUCKLED. I AM USING THE PASSENGER SIDE BUCKLE FOR THE DRIVER'S BELT AT THIS TIME. IF I HAVE A PASSENGER, BOTH OF US CANNOT BE BUCKLED IN.
5/3/2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FIAT 500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT SEAT BELT DID NOT RETRACT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MCKEVITT CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (700 SHATTUCK AVE #100, BERKELEY, CA 94705, (510) 848-2206). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD BE REPAIRED FOR $400 AND THAT THE SEAT BELT WOULD RETRACT IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. CHRYSLER STATED THAT THEY WOULD OPEN A TICKET AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO FILE A VEHICLE SAFETY COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000. *TT
12/14/2017
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
3 Reports1% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT MY CAR I HAD ISSUES WITH A TAIL LIGHT GOING OUT WITHIN THE FIRST 6 MONTHS. THEN A HEADLIGHT 2 MONTHS AFTER THAT THEN 12 MONTHS A TAILLIGHT THEN ANOTHER TAILLIGHT AND HEADLIGHT WELL YOU SEE WHAT I MEAN THEN THEY RECALLED A CLUCH ON MY CAR BUT THEY DIDNT HAVE A REPLACEMNT PART YET AND THEY NEVER CONTACTED ME ABOUT THE RECALL I ASSUME IT WAS THIS ORGANIZATION BUT WHEN I WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT THE CLUCH JUST DROPPED OUT FROM UNDER MY FOOT AND ALMOST CAUSE ME TO CRASH WHEN I RECOVERED AND HAD TO STOPO BECAUSE OF A RED LIGHT I THROUGH ON MY EMERGANCIES AND ANOTHER TAIL LIGHT WENT OUT BUT THIS TIME I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED BECAUSE THEY THOUGHT I WAS SWITHCHING LANES I NEVER RECIEVED A WARNING LIGHT THAT MY TAILLIGHT WAS OUT NOW I HAVE HAD MY TAIL LIGHT GO OUT AGAIN AND A HEADLIGHT WITHIN A MONTH OF EACH OTHER AND STILL NO WARNING SIGN ALSO NOW THE BATTERY IS GOING OUT ON ME SOMETHIMES I CAN START THE SOMETIMES I CANT BUT NO WARNING SIGN UNLESS ITS NOT GOING TO TURN OVER AT ALL THEN I GET ALL THE BELLS GOING OFF FOR THAT WHEN THEY WERE REPAIRING THE CLUCH I ASKED ABOUT MY WARRENTY AND THEY SAID IT ALREADY RAN OUT BUT THAT WASNT TRUE I WAS CLOSE BUT I HAVE RUST PINHOLES COMING FROM UNDER THE PAINT ALL OVER MY WHITE CAR.
3/2/2017
MY CAR CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING OR BEING IDLED. I WOULD DRIVE IT IN THE CITY AND AFTER ABOUT 20-30 MINUTES OF DRIVING STOP AND GO. IT WOULD CUT OFF WHILE I'M STOPPED AT A LIGHT. THEN I WOULD PUT IT IN PARK AND IT WOULD RESTART. THEN AFTER THAT IT WOULD READ AS HIGH COOLANT. ALSO GOING UP STEEP HILLS IT WOULD CUT OFF WHEN I TURN IT AT THE TOP OF THE HILL AND READ NOTHING JUST COMPLETELY TURN OFF. I FINALLY GOT TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM WITH FIAT SERVICE AND THEY ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO STOP IT FROM CUTTING OFF. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL AND REPLACE BY FIAT
4/12/2017
STRUCTURE
2 Reports1% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
I PURCHASED MY FIRST CAR 2013 FIAT, I AM A STUDENT AND I DRIVE ABOUT 1.20 HRS TO MY UNIVERSITY FROM HOME. ON 3/17/14 I WAS DRIVING TO SCHOOL THAT I HAD A FLAT TIRE .I FOUND OUT THIS CAR IT DOES NOT COME WITH SPARE TIRE JACK AND TOOLS, THERE IS A SMALL AIR PUMP UNDER THE SEAT THAT YOU HAVE TO REMOVE IT AND PLUG IT IN TO THE OUTLET AND PUT AIR IN TO THE TIRE, I TRIED TO PUT AIR INTO THE TIRE BUT THE PUMP DID NOT WORK. I CALLED FIAT THEY TOLD ME THE PUMP IS GOOD ONLY WHEN YOU HAVE LOW AIR IN THE TIRE BUT IF YOU HAVE A FLAT YOU HAVE TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER TO CHANGE THE TIRE OR FIX IT I CALLED MY FATHER TO COME AND HELP ME BECAUSE I WAS STRANDED AND FRIGHTENED AND LATE FOR MY SCHOOL AND NO SPARE TIRE CAN YOU IMAGINE THIS ACCIDENT HAPPENED IN THE MIDDLE NO WERE OR I HAVE TO TAKE SOMEBODY TO THE HOSPITAL EMERGENCY OR....A YOUNG GIRL WITH OUT NO SPARE TIRE WHAT WOULD HAPPENED TO ME OR ANY OTHER FIAT OWNERS. MY FATHER CAME AND CHECK THE TIRE ALL OVER AND TOOK PICTURES OF IT THERE WAS NO SIGN OF NO NAILS INTO THE TIRES. HE CALLED FIAT ROAD SIDE ASSISTANT THEY TOLD HIM YOU HAVE TO WAIT FOR 90 MINUTES FOR TOW SERVICE AND WHEN HE COMPLAINT TO THEM FOR LONG HOUR WAIT THEY TOLD MY FATHER YOU CAN PAY FROM YOUR POCKET AND DEAL WITH IT..!! . I THINK THE SPARE TIRE AND JACK & TOOLS ARE NECESSITY AND A SAFETY ISSUE FOR A VEHICLE AND THEY MUST HAVE IT IN THE CAR IN CASE YOU ARE FAR AWAY AND NO ACCESS TO ANY DEALER AROUND YOU AND YOUR LIFE SAFETY ISSUE. MY FATHER ASK THE FIAT OVER THE PHONE WHY THE VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE SPARE TIRE PACKAGE THEY TOLD HIM YOU SHOULD ASK THE DEALER AT THE TIME OF THE SALE TO SELL IT TO YOU..??? ALL THE CARS MANDATORY BY LAW MUST HAVE SAFETY FEATURES FOR THE CONSUMERS ONE OF THEM IS SPARE TIRE PACKAGE. AT THIS TIME I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A FORMAL COMPLAINT AGAINST FIAT AND FIAT DEALERS FOR SELLING UNSAFE VEHICLE TO THE CONSUMER. *TR
3/17/2014
CENTER EMBLEM KEEPS COMING OUT OF THE MIDDLE OF THE STEERING WHEEL REVEALING THE AIRBAG BEHIND IT. I KEEP "POPPING" IT BACK IN PLACE, BUT IT DOES NOT STAY. THE NEAREST DEALER FOR REPAIRS IS 90 MILES AWAY. I SCHEDULED A TIME FOR THEM TO LOOK AT IT, BUT NOW HAVE TO BRING IT IN AGAIN SO THEY CAN KEEP IT LONGER TO DETERMINE IF IT JUST NEEDS THAT PIECE REPAIRED OR IF I NEED A WHOLE NEW STEERING WHEEL. I CAN ONLY HOPE THE AIRBAG DOES NOT DEPLOY FROM BEHIND THIS LOOSE PIECE AS IT IS CLEARLY NOT ATTACHED TO ANYTHING. *TR
6/24/2014
WHEELS
2 Reports1% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
I HAD TO HAVE MY FRONT TWO TIRES REPLACED ON MY 2013 FIAT 500 ABARTH IN MAY 2015 AFTER ONLY 17 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP (BOUGHT IT NEW AT THE END OF 2013) AND 12,666 MILES, AND WAS TOLD THEY WERE NOT COVERED BY ANY WARRANTY. THESE WERE THE PERELLI 205/40R17XL BSW 3 SEASON TIRES. THE WEAR WAS SO BAD THEY WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION. I PREVIOUSLY OWNED A 2012 FIAT 500 SPORT WITH PERELLI'S AND HAD IT FOR 17 MONTHS, BUT PUT 30,105 MILES ON IT, AND ONLY HAD TO REPLACE TWO TIRES BECAUSE ONE GOT A NAIL IN IT. I KNOW ROTATING THE TIRES WHEN RECOMMENDED IS IMPORTANT. I HAVE HAD MY RECOMMENDED SERVICES FOR BOTH CARS AS THE DEALERSHIP HAS RECOMMENDED.
9/26/2015
MY FIAT 2013 FIAT 500 HAS ABOUT 51,000 MILES ON IT AND I NOW HAVE HAD TO REPLACE 2 OF 4 WHEEL BEARINGS, I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS IS NOT ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND THAT ONE IS A FLUKE BUT TWO IS UNHEARD OF. *TR
6/26/2020
SUSPENSION
2 Reports1% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FIAT 500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V302000 (SUSPENSION). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 01/05/17*LJ CONSUMER HAS TAKEN CAR IN COUPLE TIMES DUE TO SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT REGISTER CORRECT MPH. ON 12/12/2016- VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO "DON JACKSON ALFA ROMEO & FIAT TO INSTALL RECALL PARTS. UPDATED 9/5/18*JB
11/21/2016
WHEN I TURN MY STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT I HEAR A CLICKING NOISE UNDER THE DRIVERS SIDE FLOOR MAT. IT ALSO MAKES A SNAPPING NOISE. I HAD A MECHANIC PUT MY CAR ON THE LIFT AND BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT RUBBER STRUT MOUNTS APPEAR TO BE QUITE LOOSE. THE CAR ONLY HAS 50K MILES ON IT. I HEAR THE POPPING AND SNAPPING NOISE AT SPEEDS LESS THAN 20 MPH AND WHEN GOING FORWARD OR BACKING UP. I NOW HAVE GREASE KICKING UP FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE.
3/1/2018
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
2 Reports1% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FIAT 500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE SUN ROOF SHATTERED ABRUPTLY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED BEFORE OR AFTER THE FAILURE. THE ALFA ROMEO OF MANHATTAN DEALER (629 W 54TH ST, NEW YORK, NY) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 36,000.
12/12/2017
The contact's daughter owns a 2013 Fiat 500. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the convertible sunroof retractor failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the convertible sunroof failed to close as needed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the convertible sunroof mechanical system had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the convertible sunroof mechanical system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
7/10/2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
1 Report0% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
WHILE ACCELERATING THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD NOT READ ANY HIGHER THAN 20 MPH, EVEN WHEN GOING SPEEDS WELL OVER 20 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE. COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD READ AT 0, HOWEVER ONCE ACCELERATING OR DECELERATING FROM OVER 20 MPH WOULD NOT BE REGISTERED. THE CAR WAS TURNED ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES, AND SHIFTED THROUGH ALL THE GEARS, STILL NO FIX. *TR
3/6/2014
TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE
1 Report0% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
I PURCHASED MY FIRST CAR 2013 FIAT, I AM A STUDENT AND I DRIVE ABOUT 1.20 HRS TO MY UNIVERSITY FROM HOME. ON 3/17/14 I WAS DRIVING TO SCHOOL THAT I HAD A FLAT TIRE .I FOUND OUT THIS CAR IT DOES NOT COME WITH SPARE TIRE JACK AND TOOLS, THERE IS A SMALL AIR PUMP UNDER THE SEAT THAT YOU HAVE TO REMOVE IT AND PLUG IT IN TO THE OUTLET AND PUT AIR IN TO THE TIRE, I TRIED TO PUT AIR INTO THE TIRE BUT THE PUMP DID NOT WORK. I CALLED FIAT THEY TOLD ME THE PUMP IS GOOD ONLY WHEN YOU HAVE LOW AIR IN THE TIRE BUT IF YOU HAVE A FLAT YOU HAVE TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER TO CHANGE THE TIRE OR FIX IT I CALLED MY FATHER TO COME AND HELP ME BECAUSE I WAS STRANDED AND FRIGHTENED AND LATE FOR MY SCHOOL AND NO SPARE TIRE CAN YOU IMAGINE THIS ACCIDENT HAPPENED IN THE MIDDLE NO WERE OR I HAVE TO TAKE SOMEBODY TO THE HOSPITAL EMERGENCY OR....A YOUNG GIRL WITH OUT NO SPARE TIRE WHAT WOULD HAPPENED TO ME OR ANY OTHER FIAT OWNERS. MY FATHER CAME AND CHECK THE TIRE ALL OVER AND TOOK PICTURES OF IT THERE WAS NO SIGN OF NO NAILS INTO THE TIRES. HE CALLED FIAT ROAD SIDE ASSISTANT THEY TOLD HIM YOU HAVE TO WAIT FOR 90 MINUTES FOR TOW SERVICE AND WHEN HE COMPLAINT TO THEM FOR LONG HOUR WAIT THEY TOLD MY FATHER YOU CAN PAY FROM YOUR POCKET AND DEAL WITH IT..!! . I THINK THE SPARE TIRE AND JACK & TOOLS ARE NECESSITY AND A SAFETY ISSUE FOR A VEHICLE AND THEY MUST HAVE IT IN THE CAR IN CASE YOU ARE FAR AWAY AND NO ACCESS TO ANY DEALER AROUND YOU AND YOUR LIFE SAFETY ISSUE. MY FATHER ASK THE FIAT OVER THE PHONE WHY THE VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE SPARE TIRE PACKAGE THEY TOLD HIM YOU SHOULD ASK THE DEALER AT THE TIME OF THE SALE TO SELL IT TO YOU..??? ALL THE CARS MANDATORY BY LAW MUST HAVE SAFETY FEATURES FOR THE CONSUMERS ONE OF THEM IS SPARE TIRE PACKAGE. AT THIS TIME I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A FORMAL COMPLAINT AGAINST FIAT AND FIAT DEALERS FOR SELLING UNSAFE VEHICLE TO THE CONSUMER. *TR
3/17/2014
VISIBILITY/WIPER
1 Report0% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
WIPER FLUID RESERVOIR LEAKING AND CAN NOT HOLD FLUID FOR WIPER. WENT TO DEALERSHIP UNDER WARRANTY BUT NO PARTS TO REPLACE AND NO ETA OF PARTS. CONTACTED THE FIAT USA ABOUT PARTS AND WAS TOLD NO PARTS AVAILABLE AND WILL NOT GIVE ANY ETA ON PARTS. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING IN HOUSTON IN RAINY SEASON AND CAN NOT CLEAR WINDSHIELD WITH WIPER FLUID WHEN DRIVING. WHEN CALLING THE FIAT USA, SERVICE REP CAN NOT HELP AND WILL NOT PROVIDE ANY UPPER LEVEL MANAGEMENT CONTACT TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. *TR
10/8/2014
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK
1 Report0% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FIAT 500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIFTGATE LATCH MALFUNCTIONED AND THE HATCHBACK COULD NOT BE OPENED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
5/23/2016
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:COLUMN SHIFT ASSEMBLY
1 Report0% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
The contact owns a 2013 Fiat 500 Abarth equipped with a Madness Autoworks Fiat 500 Short Shifter Kit/Adjustable/Madness. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH and attempting to shift the gear shifter, the vehicle was not responding. The shifter began to move in a circular motion making it impossible to drive the vehicle. The contact pushed the vehicle to the side and noticed that the shifter had fractured in half. The contact was able to obtain a different part and replaced the part at the location of the failure. The vehicle had not been taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been made aware of the failure and informed the contact that a recall had been issued on the part. The contact was offered the new replacement part. The failure mileage was unknown.
10/13/2023
Data and Methodology
Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.
What are the most common owner complaints for the 2013 Fiat 500?
Are complaints about the 2013 Fiat 500 a serious warning sign?
How should buyers use complaint data for the 2013 Fiat 500?
Are complaints about the 2013 Fiat 500 severe?
Complaint list entries are sourced from owner-submitted NHTSA ODI records.
Fiat 500: How should complaint data influence buying decisions?
Carfocal links complaint data directly to recall and maintenance routes for the same model year.
- Complaint entries
- 213
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- Primary source
- NHTSA ODI owner complaint records
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