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2016 Fiat 500X Owner Complaints

Updated May 30, 2026
Ryan Davis

Complaint Summary

The 2016 Fiat 500X has 247 reported complaints.

  • Top issues involve engine and power train.

Reliability Score

Reliability Score

5.3/ 10

Based on 247 complaints

Most Frequent Issues

ENGINE

50 20.2%

POWER TRAIN

46 18.6%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

43 17.4%

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

31 12.6%

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

13 5.3%

Quick Insights

  • The top category is ENGINE, accounting for 20.2% of all complaints.

  • Owners have reported issues across 24 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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Complaint Summary

What owners keep reporting on the 2016 Fiat 500X

The 2016 Fiat 500X has 247 owner complaints in this dataset. ENGINE is the most common complaint category, representing about 20% of the reports shown here.

Most common complaint categories

The top complaint groups for the 2016 Fiat 500X are ENGINE (50), POWER TRAIN (46), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (43).

Are these complaints a serious red flag?

Potentially. 120 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 500X?

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.

Read the full buyer guideRecall report and remedy notesMaintenance costs and intervals2017 500X complaints2018 500X complaints2019 500X complaints

Detailed Complaint Log

Showing 24 of 24 systems

ENGINE

50 Reports20% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

MY FIAT 500X IS BRAND NEW BARELY 350 MILES...IT HAS BEEN TOWED TWICE SO FAR AND IS PRESENTLY BEING WORKED ON NOW. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT SINCE IT STALLS OUT WHILE DRIVING AND EVENTUALLY WILL NOT RESTART. I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING ONLINE AND HAVE FOUND SIMILAR ISSUES. I FEEL UNSAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AND COULD END UP BEING IN OR CAUSING AN ACCIDENT SINCE I WAS ALMOST HIT BOTH TIMES MY CAR STALLED OUT...ONCE ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE OTHER TIME MOST RECENTLY IN HIGH CITY TRAFFIC. I JUST WANT A REPLACEMENT OF EQUAL VALUE.

3/6/2017

I WAS MAKING A SLOW TURN IN A PARKING LOT AND THE CAR TURNED ITSELF OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE RADIO REMAINED ON AND DASH LIGHTS/GEAR LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED BUT THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY UNRESPONSIVE OTHERWISE. I REALIZED IT HAD TURNED OFF SO I RESTARTED IT & IT CONTINUED TO DRIVE NORMALLY. ABOUT 50 MILES LATER I WAS DRIVING 35MPH AND A WARNING LIGHT CAME ON STATING "DRIVE MODE UNAVAILABLE" THEN ANOTHER SAYING "SERVICE ENGINE". I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY SAID IT JUST NEEDED SOME UPDATES, GAVE IT THE UPDATES, AND SENT ME HOME. ABOUT 50 MILES LATER THE DRIVE MODE AND SERVICE ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN. ABOUT 50 MILES LATER THEY TURNED OFF ON THEIR OWN, AND ANOTHER 20 MILES LATER THEY CAME BACK ON AGAIN. THE CAR SEEMS TO DRIVE NORMALLY BUT THE DIFFERENT DRIVE MODES SUCH AS "TRACTION +" AREN'T ACCESSIBLE. IT'S BEEN BETWEEN 60-80 DEGREES OUTSIDE & CLEAR ON EACH OCCASION. IT HASN'T TURNED ITSELF OFF AGAIN SINCE THE FIRST TIME.

6/2/2017

48 more complaints are available in this category.

POWER TRAIN

46 Reports19% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

MY 500X THAT I PURCHASED IN JULY OF 2016 HAS SHIFTED GEARS TO THE + SYMBOL 4 DIFFERENT TIMES WHILE IM DRIVING. IT STARTED IN SEPT BUT I THOUGHT I HAD IT A BUMP OR SOMETHING. IT HAPPENED AGAIN 3 TIMES I DID GO BACK TO THE BETTENHAUSER DEALER FOR SERVICE 3 TIMES AND THEY SAID I HAD TO NOT TURN THE CAR OFF AND GET TO THEM BEFORE THEY CLOSED BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT SEE CODES TO THE PROBLEM .AT THIS POINT IN TIME THEY GAVE ME A LOANER TO DRIVE FOR ABOUT A WEEK WHILE THEY DROVE THE CAR. THEY SAID THEY FOUND NOTHING. I TOOK MY CAR BACK 2 WEEKS AGO AND I DRIVE WITH A PRAYER THAT IT DOESN,T HAPPEN AGAIN WHILE IM IN TRAFFIC AS IT DID BEFORE SCARING ME TO DEATH. DO YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS. I SEE NO RECALLS ON THIS PROBLEM SO FAR BUT SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH MY CAR. THANK YOU. ALL THIS HAPPENED WHEN I WAS IN TRAFFIC ON THE CITY STREETS OF CHICAGO. I DID COME VERY CLOSE TO HAVING A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT THREE TIMES.THE SERVICE DEPT HAS INCORRECT MILEAGE ON DATES I WAS IN FOR THIS PROBLEM. CORRECT DATE FOR 10/18/16 MILEAGE 2,378 FOR 10/26/16 INCORRECT MILEAGE 7,531 CORRECT MILEAGE FOR 1115/16 2,728 . *TR

12/8/2016

VEHICLE GOES INTO "LIMP MODE" ANYTIME WHEELS SLIP, UNTILL COMPUTER CLEARS NO THROTTLE OR MOTION, VEHICLE IS INOPERABLE FOR OVER 5+ SECONDS AND THEN ACCELERATED AT WHATEVER POSITION THROTTLE IS AT. DEALER AND MECHANICS SAY ALL NEW FIATS 2 AND 4WHEEL DRIVE ALL HAVE THIS ISSUE AND THEY CANNOT FIX. I PULLED OUT INTO TRAFFIC, WHEEL SLIPPED AND WENT INTO LIMP IN MIDDLE OF LANES UNTILL IT CLEARED AND TOOK OFF AT HALF THROTTLE AND ALMOST GOT SMEARED BY TRAFFIC. DEALER SAYS ALL FIATS HAVE SAME PROBLEM AND ONLY SOLUTION IS TO GIVE A LOT OF LEAD TIME BEFORE ENTERING TRAFFIC AND TRY NOT TO ACCELERATE AS TO MAKE WHEELS SLIP WHEN ROAD CONDITIONS MAY CAUSE SLIPPING. THIS HAS HAPPEND PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC AND WHILE ON RAMPS, HILLS. IF ON CURVE OR HILL VEHICLE WILL GO INT "LIMP MODE" AND WILL JUST SLIDE DOWN HILLS AND THROUGH CURVES!!!

12/28/2016

44 more complaints are available in this category.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

43 Reports17% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FIAT 500X. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 8 MPH, THE DRIVE MODE UNAVAILABLE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS DIAGNOSED THE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BUT THE VEHICLE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000.

3/2/2017

MY FIAT 500X IS BRAND NEW BARELY 350 MILES...IT HAS BEEN TOWED TWICE SO FAR AND IS PRESENTLY BEING WORKED ON NOW. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT SINCE IT STALLS OUT WHILE DRIVING AND EVENTUALLY WILL NOT RESTART. I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING ONLINE AND HAVE FOUND SIMILAR ISSUES. I FEEL UNSAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AND COULD END UP BEING IN OR CAUSING AN ACCIDENT SINCE I WAS ALMOST HIT BOTH TIMES MY CAR STALLED OUT...ONCE ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE OTHER TIME MOST RECENTLY IN HIGH CITY TRAFFIC. I JUST WANT A REPLACEMENT OF EQUAL VALUE.

3/6/2017

41 more complaints are available in this category.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

31 Reports13% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

MY 500X THAT I PURCHASED IN JULY OF 2016 HAS SHIFTED GEARS TO THE + SYMBOL 4 DIFFERENT TIMES WHILE IM DRIVING. IT STARTED IN SEPT BUT I THOUGHT I HAD IT A BUMP OR SOMETHING. IT HAPPENED AGAIN 3 TIMES I DID GO BACK TO THE BETTENHAUSER DEALER FOR SERVICE 3 TIMES AND THEY SAID I HAD TO NOT TURN THE CAR OFF AND GET TO THEM BEFORE THEY CLOSED BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT SEE CODES TO THE PROBLEM .AT THIS POINT IN TIME THEY GAVE ME A LOANER TO DRIVE FOR ABOUT A WEEK WHILE THEY DROVE THE CAR. THEY SAID THEY FOUND NOTHING. I TOOK MY CAR BACK 2 WEEKS AGO AND I DRIVE WITH A PRAYER THAT IT DOESN,T HAPPEN AGAIN WHILE IM IN TRAFFIC AS IT DID BEFORE SCARING ME TO DEATH. DO YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS. I SEE NO RECALLS ON THIS PROBLEM SO FAR BUT SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH MY CAR. THANK YOU. ALL THIS HAPPENED WHEN I WAS IN TRAFFIC ON THE CITY STREETS OF CHICAGO. I DID COME VERY CLOSE TO HAVING A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT THREE TIMES.THE SERVICE DEPT HAS INCORRECT MILEAGE ON DATES I WAS IN FOR THIS PROBLEM. CORRECT DATE FOR 10/18/16 MILEAGE 2,378 FOR 10/26/16 INCORRECT MILEAGE 7,531 CORRECT MILEAGE FOR 1115/16 2,728 . *TR

12/8/2016

I JUST FILED A COMPLIANT REGARDING MY CAR SHIFTING GEARS TO NEUTRAL SCINCE SEPT. I WAS DENIED MY COMPLIANT AND REQUEST OF A REPURCHASE BY THE NCDS THIS FEBURARY .I HOPE YOU GOT MY ORIGINAL COMPLAINT. I DID STATE THAT MY COMPUTER WON,T UPLOAD INFORMATION OR DOCUMENTS BUT I HAVE IT. I WAS DENIED BECAUSE FIAT OF TINLEY PARK SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND CODES TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM .MY CAR WAS IN MOTION EACH TIME ON A CITY STREET AND I CAME VERY CLOSE TO VERY SEROUS CRASHES. SOMETHIG IS WRONG WITH MY CAR BUT I CAN,T PROVE IT. IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE CODES AS WELL. THANK YOU. I DID SEE THE RECENT RECALL NOTICE FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM IN OTHER 500X CARS DATED THIS AUGUST.

3/5/2017

29 more complaints are available in this category.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

13 Reports5% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

VEHICLE FOG LIGHTS HAVE AN ISSUE WHERE ONE LIGHT GETS TOO MUCH VOLTAGE, CAUSING IT TO BURN OUT THE BULB AND THE HOLDING UNIT. SOMETIMES THE BULBS WILL RANDOMLY SWITCH (FOR EXAMPLE ONE DAY THE DRIVER'S SIDE WILL BE OUT, THEN THE NEXT DAY THE PASSENGER SIDE). I HAVE TAKEN IT TO GET REPAIRED: THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE BULB AND THE HOLDING UNIT AND ISSUE HAPPENED AGAIN A FEW MONTHS LATER. I THEN TOOK IT BACK, THE MECHANIC CHECKED MY ALTERNATOR WHICH WAS FINE AND PUTTING OUT CORRECT AC AND DC VOLTAGE. HE TOLD ME HE CALLED FIAT AND THEY WERE AWARE OF THIS BEING AN ISSUE BUT DON'T KNOW WHY. THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN ON BACK ROADS (SO GOING UNDER AND UP TO 45MPH) THE VERY FIRST TIME THE LIGHT WENT OUT. AFTER THE FIRST TIME, I WOULD TURN THE CAR ON AND IT WOULD BE OUT, OTHER DAYS IT WOULD BE ON AND WOULDN'T GO OUT AT ALL, OR IT WOULD GO OUT LATER WHEN I WAS DRIVING. THERE WAS REALLY NO CONSISTENCY TO THE ISSUE.

11/3/2018

DAYTIMERUNNING LIGHT. BRAKE LIGHT. PARKING LIGHT ALL OUT SAME TIME VEHICLE ONLY HAS 12,000 MILES ON IT.

3/8/2019

11 more complaints are available in this category.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

10 Reports4% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

VEHICLE GOES INTO "LIMP MODE" ANYTIME WHEELS SLIP, UNTILL COMPUTER CLEARS NO THROTTLE OR MOTION, VEHICLE IS INOPERABLE FOR OVER 5+ SECONDS AND THEN ACCELERATED AT WHATEVER POSITION THROTTLE IS AT. DEALER AND MECHANICS SAY ALL NEW FIATS 2 AND 4WHEEL DRIVE ALL HAVE THIS ISSUE AND THEY CANNOT FIX. I PULLED OUT INTO TRAFFIC, WHEEL SLIPPED AND WENT INTO LIMP IN MIDDLE OF LANES UNTILL IT CLEARED AND TOOK OFF AT HALF THROTTLE AND ALMOST GOT SMEARED BY TRAFFIC. DEALER SAYS ALL FIATS HAVE SAME PROBLEM AND ONLY SOLUTION IS TO GIVE A LOT OF LEAD TIME BEFORE ENTERING TRAFFIC AND TRY NOT TO ACCELERATE AS TO MAKE WHEELS SLIP WHEN ROAD CONDITIONS MAY CAUSE SLIPPING. THIS HAS HAPPEND PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC AND WHILE ON RAMPS, HILLS. IF ON CURVE OR HILL VEHICLE WILL GO INT "LIMP MODE" AND WILL JUST SLIDE DOWN HILLS AND THROUGH CURVES!!!

12/28/2016

MY FIAT 500X 2016, HAS BEEN CHANGING FROM SPORT MODE, TO THE TRACTION MODE, THEN OUT OF NO WHERE IT SAYS DRIVE MODE UNAVAILABLE. WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE.

3/21/2018

8 more complaints are available in this category.

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

10 Reports4% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

I WAS MAKING A SLOW TURN IN A PARKING LOT AND THE CAR TURNED ITSELF OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE RADIO REMAINED ON AND DASH LIGHTS/GEAR LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED BUT THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY UNRESPONSIVE OTHERWISE. I REALIZED IT HAD TURNED OFF SO I RESTARTED IT & IT CONTINUED TO DRIVE NORMALLY. ABOUT 50 MILES LATER I WAS DRIVING 35MPH AND A WARNING LIGHT CAME ON STATING "DRIVE MODE UNAVAILABLE" THEN ANOTHER SAYING "SERVICE ENGINE". I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY SAID IT JUST NEEDED SOME UPDATES, GAVE IT THE UPDATES, AND SENT ME HOME. ABOUT 50 MILES LATER THE DRIVE MODE AND SERVICE ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN. ABOUT 50 MILES LATER THEY TURNED OFF ON THEIR OWN, AND ANOTHER 20 MILES LATER THEY CAME BACK ON AGAIN. THE CAR SEEMS TO DRIVE NORMALLY BUT THE DIFFERENT DRIVE MODES SUCH AS "TRACTION +" AREN'T ACCESSIBLE. IT'S BEEN BETWEEN 60-80 DEGREES OUTSIDE & CLEAR ON EACH OCCASION. IT HASN'T TURNED ITSELF OFF AGAIN SINCE THE FIRST TIME.

6/2/2017

CAR STATES 'DRIVE MODE UNAVAILABLE' AND A DAY AFTER CAR STOPPED COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING TURNED BACK ON AND DRIVE AS NORMAL ALSO RADIO SCREEN TURNS OFF AND ON BY ITSELF

11/27/2017

8 more complaints are available in this category.

STEERING

8 Reports3% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

I WAS MAKING A SLOW TURN IN A PARKING LOT AND THE CAR TURNED ITSELF OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE RADIO REMAINED ON AND DASH LIGHTS/GEAR LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED BUT THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY UNRESPONSIVE OTHERWISE. I REALIZED IT HAD TURNED OFF SO I RESTARTED IT & IT CONTINUED TO DRIVE NORMALLY. ABOUT 50 MILES LATER I WAS DRIVING 35MPH AND A WARNING LIGHT CAME ON STATING "DRIVE MODE UNAVAILABLE" THEN ANOTHER SAYING "SERVICE ENGINE". I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY SAID IT JUST NEEDED SOME UPDATES, GAVE IT THE UPDATES, AND SENT ME HOME. ABOUT 50 MILES LATER THE DRIVE MODE AND SERVICE ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN. ABOUT 50 MILES LATER THEY TURNED OFF ON THEIR OWN, AND ANOTHER 20 MILES LATER THEY CAME BACK ON AGAIN. THE CAR SEEMS TO DRIVE NORMALLY BUT THE DIFFERENT DRIVE MODES SUCH AS "TRACTION +" AREN'T ACCESSIBLE. IT'S BEEN BETWEEN 60-80 DEGREES OUTSIDE & CLEAR ON EACH OCCASION. IT HASN'T TURNED ITSELF OFF AGAIN SINCE THE FIRST TIME.

6/2/2017

MY TIE ROD HAS BENT 2 TIMES NOW. I HAVE DONE NOTHING TO IT. THE FIRST TIME IS THAT MY WHOLE TIRE FELL OFF WHEN I WAS DRIVING. THE NEXT IT JUST BARELY NOT EVEN A YEAR AFTER MY TIRE FELL OFF I WAS DRIVING IN THE SNOW AND MY DRIVE MODE STOP WORKING. ONCE I PARKED I LOOK AT MY TIRE AND SAW IT WAS COCKEYED. I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING. I WAS ONLY GOING MAX 5 MILES AN HOUR. IT HAS BEEN A YEAR FROM HELL WITH MY CAR.

1/25/2019

6 more complaints are available in this category.

STRUCTURE:BODY

6 Reports2% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

WHEN OPENING THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR, YOU FEEL A SLIGHT DROP, IT FEELS AS IF THE DOOR IS UNHINGED. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAD ADDRESSED IT. THE DOOR IS STILL DOING THE SAME THING. IS THIS A VEHICLE ISSUE OR COULD THE CAR HAVE BEEN DAMAGED AT THE DEALER? I HAVE ADDRESSED THIS TWICE AND NOTHING IS BEING CORRECTED.

3/9/2018

THE VEHICLE DRIVER'S DOOR HANDLE BREAKS EASILY. I WENT TO OPEN THE DOOR WHILE IT WAS PARKED.

10/9/2019

4 more complaints are available in this category.

SERVICE BRAKES

5 Reports2% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FIAT 500X. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE GEAR SELECTOR ERRONEOUSLY SWITCHED FROM DRIVE INTO NEUTRAL, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (RICK CASE FIAT/CHRYSLER OF DAVIES, FLORIDA), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE, THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED, LOCKED UP, AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE PADS WERE FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V529000 (POWER TRAIN), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 700.

7/12/2017

BRAKE PADS REPLACED AT 4,600 MILES. BRAKES WERE SCREAMING. STARTING CAR SETS OFF SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT AND DRIVE MODE UNAVAILABLE MESSAGE. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIGURE THE PROBLEM AFTER 5 RETURN VISITS..

10/30/2017

3 more complaints are available in this category.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

4 Reports2% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

HAZARDOUS DELAY IN DOWNSHIFTS WHEN AN EXTRA BURST OF SPEED IS NEEDED. THIS HAPPEN OFTEN. DANGEROUS WHEN TRYING TO MERGE.

5/9/2017

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY IN A MIDDLE LANE GOING ABOUT 50MPH WHEN I NOTICED THE CAR WAS NO LONGER RESPONSIVE TO GAS OR STEERING. BRAKES WERE HARDER TO PRESS THAN USUAL & I REALIZED THE CAR HAD TURNED ITSELF OFF. THE ONLY WAY I COULD GET IT STARTED AGAIN WAS TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP & PUT IT IN PARK, RE-START, DISENGAGE THE AUTO-EMERGENCY BRAKE, THEN PUT IT IN DRIVE. ALL WHILE CARS WERE FLYING AROUND THE BEND OF THE HIGHWAY ALMOST HITTING ME AND ALMOST HITTING EACH OTHER TRYING TO AVOID HITTING ME.

2/15/2018

2 more complaints are available in this category.

SUSPENSION

4 Reports2% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

SERVICE ENGINE DRIVE MODE UNAVAILABLE SOME TIME TRANSMISSION NOT ENGAGING WHEN YOU START ENGINE AND GO. SCREECHING NOISE FROM PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR

3/6/2018

MY TIE ROD HAS BENT 2 TIMES NOW. I HAVE DONE NOTHING TO IT. THE FIRST TIME IS THAT MY WHOLE TIRE FELL OFF WHEN I WAS DRIVING. THE NEXT IT JUST BARELY NOT EVEN A YEAR AFTER MY TIRE FELL OFF I WAS DRIVING IN THE SNOW AND MY DRIVE MODE STOP WORKING. ONCE I PARKED I LOOK AT MY TIRE AND SAW IT WAS COCKEYED. I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING. I WAS ONLY GOING MAX 5 MILES AN HOUR. IT HAS BEEN A YEAR FROM HELL WITH MY CAR.

1/25/2019

2 more complaints are available in this category.

AIR BAGS

4 Reports2% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

I PURCHASED A 2016 FIAT 500X IN DECEMBER 2016. I AM A HOME CARE NURSE SO I DRIVE A LOT. I HAVE HAD THIS SAME ISSUE SINCE BUYING THIS CAR AND IT'S BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP. IT IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY AND I AM HAVING TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. HERE IS THE STORY: WHEN IT RAINS HEAVILY, IN ARIZONA, MY ELECTRONICS IN MY CAR GO HAYWIRE. ACCORDING TO AUTONATION, I HAVE HAD THE CAR IN APPROXIMATELY 9 TIMES. MY POWER STEERING BECOMES DISABLED AND MY AIRBAGS BECOME DISABLED. THIS TIME, I WAS DRIVING DOWN 7TH STREET AT 7:30AM AND THIS HAPPENED. I WAS LUCKILY ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO STOP. NO ONE SEEMS TO CARE WHAT IS EVENTUALLY GOING TO HAPPEN TO ME, IS THAT I GET KILLED. THIS CAR IS A LEMON. I NEED HELP BEFORE I DIE.

9/24/2019

My vehicle collided with another vehicle. The other car air bag deployed while the Fiat front busted radiator, number etc damaged but the driver side did not deploy even on impact.

4/1/2022

2 more complaints are available in this category.

SEAT BELTS

2 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

DRIVERS SEAT BELT WILL NOT LATCH ANYMORE

7/25/2018

THE SEAT BELT ARE NOT FESTERING GOT IN MY CAR TO GET READY TO LEAVE AND THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT FESTERING I KEEP TRYING TO FESTERING AND FINALLY DID THEN I LEFT AND WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT POPPED A LOOSE...SO I HAD TO PULL OVER AND TRIED TO FESTERING IT A AGAIN IT TOOK ABOUT 10 MINUTES BEFORE IT LATCH AGAIN I HAD TO KEEP REPEATING THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER

8/11/2020

LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION

2 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

1 year after purchase the car started having electrical issues, hard gear shifting, turns off or fails to start on first try, car has been serviced at South Miami FIAT since the issues started. The dealer could not identify the issues and told me that they would leave a warranty order open in the event that the warranty expired and the issue was not addressed. The dealer is basically not assisting. I have recently taken my car in for the oil consumption test; at first it failed to later be told that it's working just fine. Problems do no fix themselves and I feel that the dealer is not being totally honest with the situation. I am aware that the consumer is on the losing end of this story, but I will say that I along with many others have had a less than desirable experience with FIAT vehicles. Can someone please respond regarding these issues. I know that the past 2 years have been strenuous on all, but this is my last effort to find a solution to this matter. I have reviewed many other owners with almost identical issues with their cars. Thank you for your attention

8/24/2021

Radio unit failed due to internal short which prevents the blind spot alert, parking sensors and backup camera to no longer function. Fiat no longer manufacturers the replacement part (P/N: 6RV00LXHAA) and states vehicle is not repairable. Car is less than 10 years old and has 25k miles but can no longer be safely operated due to the failed safety systems. Other than this issue car is essentially like new and could provide another decade of use but instead must be added to the overflowing landfills creating yet more pollution. Vehicle manufacturers should be held accountable for such egregious behavior.

4/25/2025

WHEELS

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

MY TIE ROD HAS BENT 2 TIMES NOW. I HAVE DONE NOTHING TO IT. THE FIRST TIME IS THAT MY WHOLE TIRE FELL OFF WHEN I WAS DRIVING. THE NEXT IT JUST BARELY NOT EVEN A YEAR AFTER MY TIRE FELL OFF I WAS DRIVING IN THE SNOW AND MY DRIVE MODE STOP WORKING. ONCE I PARKED I LOOK AT MY TIRE AND SAW IT WAS COCKEYED. I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING. I WAS ONLY GOING MAX 5 MILES AN HOUR. IT HAS BEEN A YEAR FROM HELL WITH MY CAR.

1/25/2019

TIRES

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

BOTH FRONT TIRES SAY SAILUN ON ONE SIDE AND ALTREZZO ON OTHER SIDE. I BOUGHT THE CAR AT CARMAX.

5/12/2019

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

Since the car was purchased, the electrical system seems to have an issue that no dealership has been able to diagnose or fix. The forward collision warning system will intermittently turn itself off upon starting or even while driving. The car also frequently blows passenger side lights. More recently at about 67,000 miles, the check engine and transmission warning lights came on while highway driving 2.5 hrs away from home. The car has been in and out of the shop at least 3 times over the past month and a half to try and fix the issue but they have been unable to determine what is wrong with it. They said they found metal in the transmission and therefore replaced the torque converter and valve body. However, the issue persists. A burning smell can now be detected when driving. Car is going into the shop for a 3rd time to try and fix it - leaving owner without a vehicle for another undetermined amount of time and many miles away from home (this time >500 miles away from home). The car supposedly passed all previous recalls - cooling fan, oil consumption, etc. All regular service/maintenance intervals have been kept by the owner.

11/29/2021

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

The contact owns a 2016 Fiat 500X. The contact stated that on multiple occasions, the vehicle would not start, and the vehicle had to be jumped. Additionally, while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would stall without warning. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the battery was faulty and needed to be replaced. The battery was replaced; however, immediately after retrieving the vehicle, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 33,000.

2/21/2023

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HANDLE:EXTERIOR

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

The contact owns a 2016 Fiat 500X. The contact stated that the cover over the button needed to open the driver’s side door would frequently fall off. Over time, the driver’s side door handle had fractured upon an attempt to open the door. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

7/30/2024

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

The contact owns a 2016 Fiat 500X. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed that the rear taillights failed to function as intended. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the motherboard had failed, and the connecting wires had melted. The contact was informed that the motherboard and connecting wires needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 68,308.

11/26/2024

POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

The contact owns a 2016 Fiat 500X. The contact stated while driving 30-35 MPH, several messages stating that the 4-WD system and the drive mode selector system were not available were displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where a computer software update was performed, per the manufacturer's recommendation; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the failure recurred upon starting the vehicle. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 73,000.

1/6/2025

BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

Radio unit failed due to internal short which prevents the blind spot alert, parking sensors and backup camera to no longer function. Fiat no longer manufacturers the replacement part (P/N: 6RV00LXHAA) and states vehicle is not repairable. Car is less than 10 years old and has 25k miles but can no longer be safely operated due to the failed safety systems. Other than this issue car is essentially like new and could provide another decade of use but instead must be added to the overflowing landfills creating yet more pollution. Vehicle manufacturers should be held accountable for such egregious behavior.

4/25/2025

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS:HOSES/VALVES/SENSORS

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

The contact owns a 2016 Fiat 500X. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the fuel gauge indicator failed to function as intended. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with DTC: P0456 and P0452. The evaporative emission system pressure sensor/switch had failed. Additionally, a leak was detected in the evaporative emission control system (EVAP). The dealer replaced unknown parts on the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the fuel filler neck was fractured. The vehicle was repaired three more times after the first failure. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked while driving in second gear and occasionally in third gear. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired after the most recent failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 145,297.

10/24/2025

About This Data

Data and Methodology

MethodologyHow we score →

Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.

FAQ

What are the most common owner complaints for the 2016 Fiat 500X?

The most reported complaint category for the 2016 Fiat 500X is ENGINE, with 50 owner reports. That is about 20% of all complaints logged here. Other recurring themes include ENGINE, POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Are complaints about the 2016 Fiat 500X a serious warning sign?

Potentially. 120 complaint reports fall into higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components. That does not prove every vehicle has a defect, but repeated complaints in those systems justify a more careful pre-purchase inspection.

How should buyers use complaint data for the 2016 Fiat 500X?

Use complaints as an early pattern to investigate, not a standalone verdict. Start with the top complaint categories, compare those themes against the recall report and maintenance guide, then inspect service records for evidence that the same problem areas were already addressed. If the same issue appears repeatedly across complaints and recalls, treat it as a real ownership-risk flag.

Are complaints about the 2016 Fiat 500X severe?

120 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection before purchase.

Complaint list entries are sourced from owner-submitted NHTSA ODI records.

Read complaint summaries

Fiat 500X: How should complaint data influence buying decisions?

Use complaint patterns together with recalls and maintenance guidance to estimate ownership risk and inspection priorities.

Carfocal links complaint data directly to recall and maintenance routes for the same model year.

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Complaint entries
247
Top-topic view
5 grouped topics shown
Primary source
NHTSA ODI owner complaint records

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In this guide

  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Common Problems
  3. 03Owner Complaints
  4. 04Data and Methodology

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