2016 Fiat 500 Owner Complaints
Complaint Summary
The 2016 Fiat 500 has 27 reported complaints.
- Top issues involve power train and engine.
Reliability Score
Reliability Score
Based on 27 complaints
Most Frequent Issues
POWER TRAIN
8 29.6%
ENGINE
3 11.1%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
3 11.1%
SERVICE BRAKES
3 11.1%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
2 7.4%
Quick Insights
The top category is POWER TRAIN, accounting for 29.6% of all complaints.
Owners have reported issues across 11 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 2016 Fiat 500
The 2016 Fiat 500 has 27 owner complaints in this dataset. POWER TRAIN is the most common complaint category, representing about 30% of the reports shown here.
Most common complaint categories
The top complaint groups for the 2016 Fiat 500 are POWER TRAIN (8), ENGINE (3), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (3).
Are these complaints a serious red flag?
Potentially. 12 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 2016 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 11 of 11 systems
POWER TRAIN
8 Reports30% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
THE CAR STOPPED WORKING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY, STARTED TO GIVE ERROR MESSAGES AND TURNED ON ENGINE SERVICE, TRANSMISSION AND PARKING BRAKES LIGHTS. A FEW SECONDS AFTER WE JUST GOT THE MESSAGE: DRIVE MODE UNAVAILABLE AND THE CAR STOPPED. IT WAS REALLY DANGEROUS AND MY FAMILY AND I WERE IN A TERRIBLE RISK OF HAVE A PRETTY BAD ACCIDENT. WE ARE REALLY LUCKY THAT NOTHING HAPPENED TO US, WE COULD DIE THAT NIGHT.
9/1/2015
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND AT FREEWAY SPEEDS THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SUSPENSION COMPLETELY SNAPPED WITH NO ACCIDENT OR ROAD DEBRIS INVOLVED. THE WHEEL TURNED SIDEWAYS AND LOST ALL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE'S ABILITY TO TURN. THE ENGINE THEN GAVE A TRANSMISSION FAILURE WARNING AND THE ENGINE CUT OUT. WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO THE SIDE LANE AND WAITED FOR TRIPLE A TO SHOW UP UNTIL 5AM. TOOK PICTURES OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WHICH WAS BASICALLY DANGLING OFF OF THE VEHICLE. IT WAS EXCEPTIONALLY DANGEROUS.
8/21/2016
ENGINE
3 Reports11% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
THE CAR STOPPED WORKING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY, STARTED TO GIVE ERROR MESSAGES AND TURNED ON ENGINE SERVICE, TRANSMISSION AND PARKING BRAKES LIGHTS. A FEW SECONDS AFTER WE JUST GOT THE MESSAGE: DRIVE MODE UNAVAILABLE AND THE CAR STOPPED. IT WAS REALLY DANGEROUS AND MY FAMILY AND I WERE IN A TERRIBLE RISK OF HAVE A PRETTY BAD ACCIDENT. WE ARE REALLY LUCKY THAT NOTHING HAPPENED TO US, WE COULD DIE THAT NIGHT.
9/1/2015
ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS MY WIFE'S CARE HAS REFUSED TO SRMTART WITH NOW ANSWER FROM THE DEALERSHIP WHY, THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY FIAT UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY STILL SQUEAK WHEN IN REVERSE, AND LATELY IT SAYS THERE IS A TIRE SENSOR THAT IS DAMAGED OR LOW ALONG WITH DRIVE MODE UNAVAILABLE, THIS KEEPS US FROM USING THE AWD SYSTEM EFFECTIVELY, AND FIAT SAID THEY FIXED THE ISSUE ONCE BEFORE AND IT CAME BACK WITHIN THE WEEK. THE CAR HAS HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS FROM THE DAY SHE BOUGHT IT ALONG WITH MULTIPLE OCCASIONS WITH NOT STARTING AND MULTIPLE COMPUTER PROBLEMS WITH NOW HELP FROM THE DEALERSHIPS, THIS CAR IS STILL COVERED UNDER ALL WARRANTIES AND STILL CAUSES PROBLEMS WITH MY WIFE GOING TO WORK. ON TWO OCCASIONS THE DRIVE MODE UNAVAILABLE ERROR CAME UP WHILE DRIVING, THIS DOESN'T ALLOW THE CAR TO OPERATE THE AWD SYSTEM LIKE IT SHOULD
12/3/2017
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
3 Reports11% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FIAT 500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOORS FAILED TO UNLOCK WHILE USING THE KEY FOB. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000.
8/9/2016
ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS MY WIFE'S CARE HAS REFUSED TO SRMTART WITH NOW ANSWER FROM THE DEALERSHIP WHY, THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY FIAT UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY STILL SQUEAK WHEN IN REVERSE, AND LATELY IT SAYS THERE IS A TIRE SENSOR THAT IS DAMAGED OR LOW ALONG WITH DRIVE MODE UNAVAILABLE, THIS KEEPS US FROM USING THE AWD SYSTEM EFFECTIVELY, AND FIAT SAID THEY FIXED THE ISSUE ONCE BEFORE AND IT CAME BACK WITHIN THE WEEK. THE CAR HAS HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS FROM THE DAY SHE BOUGHT IT ALONG WITH MULTIPLE OCCASIONS WITH NOT STARTING AND MULTIPLE COMPUTER PROBLEMS WITH NOW HELP FROM THE DEALERSHIPS, THIS CAR IS STILL COVERED UNDER ALL WARRANTIES AND STILL CAUSES PROBLEMS WITH MY WIFE GOING TO WORK. ON TWO OCCASIONS THE DRIVE MODE UNAVAILABLE ERROR CAME UP WHILE DRIVING, THIS DOESN'T ALLOW THE CAR TO OPERATE THE AWD SYSTEM LIKE IT SHOULD
12/3/2017
SERVICE BRAKES
3 Reports11% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
THE VEHICLE WAS APPROACHING A STOPLIGHT AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH AND SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHILE THE BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED, CAUSING A MINOR ACCIDENT (LITTLE DAMAGE TO BUMPERS OF BOTH VEHICLES). CAR WAS RETURNED HOME (1 MILE AWAY) WITHOUT INCIDENT. UPON MOVING THE VEHICLE IN THE DRIVEWAY LATER THAT SAME AFTERNOON, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AGAIN WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE; HAD TO ENGAGE THE PARKING BRAKE TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP. *BF *TR
11/28/2017
ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS MY WIFE'S CARE HAS REFUSED TO SRMTART WITH NOW ANSWER FROM THE DEALERSHIP WHY, THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY FIAT UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY STILL SQUEAK WHEN IN REVERSE, AND LATELY IT SAYS THERE IS A TIRE SENSOR THAT IS DAMAGED OR LOW ALONG WITH DRIVE MODE UNAVAILABLE, THIS KEEPS US FROM USING THE AWD SYSTEM EFFECTIVELY, AND FIAT SAID THEY FIXED THE ISSUE ONCE BEFORE AND IT CAME BACK WITHIN THE WEEK. THE CAR HAS HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS FROM THE DAY SHE BOUGHT IT ALONG WITH MULTIPLE OCCASIONS WITH NOT STARTING AND MULTIPLE COMPUTER PROBLEMS WITH NOW HELP FROM THE DEALERSHIPS, THIS CAR IS STILL COVERED UNDER ALL WARRANTIES AND STILL CAUSES PROBLEMS WITH MY WIFE GOING TO WORK. ON TWO OCCASIONS THE DRIVE MODE UNAVAILABLE ERROR CAME UP WHILE DRIVING, THIS DOESN'T ALLOW THE CAR TO OPERATE THE AWD SYSTEM LIKE IT SHOULD
12/3/2017
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
2 Reports7% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
THE CAR STOPPED WORKING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY, STARTED TO GIVE ERROR MESSAGES AND TURNED ON ENGINE SERVICE, TRANSMISSION AND PARKING BRAKES LIGHTS. A FEW SECONDS AFTER WE JUST GOT THE MESSAGE: DRIVE MODE UNAVAILABLE AND THE CAR STOPPED. IT WAS REALLY DANGEROUS AND MY FAMILY AND I WERE IN A TERRIBLE RISK OF HAVE A PRETTY BAD ACCIDENT. WE ARE REALLY LUCKY THAT NOTHING HAPPENED TO US, WE COULD DIE THAT NIGHT.
9/1/2015
FIAT 500E VEHICLE BRAKING BEHAVIOR IS UNEXPECTEDLY HARD, SUDDEN, OR UNPREDICTABLE UNTIL THE USER USES AN OBD SCAN TOOL WITH APPROPRIATE DIAGNOSTIC SOFTWARE- AND INITIATES BRAKE CONTROLLER SENSOR RE-CALIBRATION. THIS OPTION IS FOUND UNDER THE DIAGNOSTIC MENU UNDER: ABS>RENENERATIVE BRAKE CONTROLLER>ACTIVE DIAGNOSTICS, AND THEN SELECTING THE PROCEDURE TO START (RBC SENSOR CALIBRATION). ONLINE FORUM USERS (PLEASE SEE LINK BELOW) ARE CURRENTLY USING 3RD PARTY SOFTWARE, AT THEIR OWN EXPENSE, TO CORRECT THE BRAKING DEFICIENCY (APPROXIMATELY $49). MY PERSONAL VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED USED AND WAS EXHIBITING SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED BRAKING ISSUES AT APPROXIMATELY 8,500 MILES; THIS IS IN MY OPINION A VERY LOW NUMBER OF MILES TO BE EXPERIENCING REGENERATE BRAKING AND CONTROL ISSUES. PLEASE REFERENCE THE ONGOING DISCUSSION THREAD AT FIAT 500E ONLINE FORUMS: HTTPS://WWW.FIAT500OWNERS.COM/THREADS/FIX-GRABBY-BRAKES-FOR-70.149282/#POST-1292483
12/11/2019
AIR BAGS
2 Reports7% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FIAT 500. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE MANUAL CLUTCH FAILED AND PREVENTED THE CONTACT FROM CHANGING GEARS. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT DROVE INTO A CEMENT BARRIER TO AVOID TRAFFIC. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY, CAUSING THE CONTACT'S HEAD TO STRIKE THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT INJURED HER NECK, LEFT SHOULDER, AND LEFT FOOT. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY FAMILY MEMBERS. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000. *DT *TR *DT*JB
9/27/2019
MY VEHICLE WAS T-BONED ON MY DRIVERSIDE DOOR. THE VEHICLE THAT HIT ME WAS GOING 50MPH ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT. I WAS CROSSING THE STREET AT ABOUT 10-15MPH. NOT A SINGLE AIRBAG ENGAGED, SIDE CURTAIN, SEAT, ETC. IT WAS ON A CITY STREET AND THE CAR THAT HIT ME WAS SPEEDING.
3/31/2020
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2 Reports7% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FIAT 500. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE MANUAL CLUTCH FAILED AND PREVENTED THE CONTACT FROM CHANGING GEARS. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT DROVE INTO A CEMENT BARRIER TO AVOID TRAFFIC. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY, CAUSING THE CONTACT'S HEAD TO STRIKE THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT INJURED HER NECK, LEFT SHOULDER, AND LEFT FOOT. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY FAMILY MEMBERS. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000. *DT *TR *DT*JB
9/27/2019
MY VEHICLE WAS T-BONED ON MY DRIVERSIDE DOOR. THE VEHICLE THAT HIT ME WAS GOING 50MPH ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT. I WAS CROSSING THE STREET AT ABOUT 10-15MPH. NOT A SINGLE AIRBAG ENGAGED, SIDE CURTAIN, SEAT, ETC. IT WAS ON A CITY STREET AND THE CAR THAT HIT ME WAS SPEEDING.
3/31/2020
SUSPENSION
1 Report4% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND AT FREEWAY SPEEDS THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SUSPENSION COMPLETELY SNAPPED WITH NO ACCIDENT OR ROAD DEBRIS INVOLVED. THE WHEEL TURNED SIDEWAYS AND LOST ALL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE'S ABILITY TO TURN. THE ENGINE THEN GAVE A TRANSMISSION FAILURE WARNING AND THE ENGINE CUT OUT. WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO THE SIDE LANE AND WAITED FOR TRIPLE A TO SHOW UP UNTIL 5AM. TOOK PICTURES OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WHICH WAS BASICALLY DANGLING OFF OF THE VEHICLE. IT WAS EXCEPTIONALLY DANGEROUS.
8/21/2016
WHEELS
1 Report4% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND AT FREEWAY SPEEDS THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SUSPENSION COMPLETELY SNAPPED WITH NO ACCIDENT OR ROAD DEBRIS INVOLVED. THE WHEEL TURNED SIDEWAYS AND LOST ALL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE'S ABILITY TO TURN. THE ENGINE THEN GAVE A TRANSMISSION FAILURE WARNING AND THE ENGINE CUT OUT. WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO THE SIDE LANE AND WAITED FOR TRIPLE A TO SHOW UP UNTIL 5AM. TOOK PICTURES OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WHICH WAS BASICALLY DANGLING OFF OF THE VEHICLE. IT WAS EXCEPTIONALLY DANGEROUS.
8/21/2016
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
1 Report4% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FIAT 500. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE MANUAL CLUTCH FAILED AND PREVENTED THE CONTACT FROM CHANGING GEARS. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT DROVE INTO A CEMENT BARRIER TO AVOID TRAFFIC. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY, CAUSING THE CONTACT'S HEAD TO STRIKE THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT INJURED HER NECK, LEFT SHOULDER, AND LEFT FOOT. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY FAMILY MEMBERS. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000. *DT *TR *DT*JB
9/27/2019
STRUCTURE:BODY
1 Report4% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
MY VEHICLE WAS T-BONED ON MY DRIVERSIDE DOOR. THE VEHICLE THAT HIT ME WAS GOING 50MPH ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT. I WAS CROSSING THE STREET AT ABOUT 10-15MPH. NOT A SINGLE AIRBAG ENGAGED, SIDE CURTAIN, SEAT, ETC. IT WAS ON A CITY STREET AND THE CAR THAT HIT ME WAS SPEEDING.
3/31/2020
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 2016 Fiat 500?
Are complaints about the 2016 Fiat 500 a serious warning sign?
How should buyers use complaint data for the 2016 Fiat 500?
Are complaints about the 2016 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
- 27
- Top-topic view
- 5 grouped topics shown
- Primary source
- NHTSA ODI owner complaint records
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