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2017 Fiat 500X Owner Complaints

Updated May 30, 2026
Daniel Wilson

Complaint Summary

The 2017 Fiat 500X has 22 reported complaints.

  • Top issues involve electrical system and engine.

Reliability Score

Reliability Score

7.7/ 10

Based on 22 complaints

Most Frequent Issues

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

5 22.7%

ENGINE

5 22.7%

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

3 13.6%

STRUCTURE:BODY

2 9.1%

SERVICE BRAKES

2 9.1%

Quick Insights

  • The top category is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, accounting for 22.7% of all complaints.

  • Owners have reported issues across 10 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 2017 Fiat 500X

The 2017 Fiat 500X has 22 owner complaints in this dataset. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM is the most common complaint category, representing about 23% of the reports shown here.

Most common complaint categories

The top complaint groups for the 2017 Fiat 500X are ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (5), ENGINE (5), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (3).

Are these complaints a serious red flag?

Potentially. 13 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 2017 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 intervals2018 500X complaints2016 500X complaints2019 500X complaints

Detailed Complaint Log

Showing 10 of 10 systems

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

5 Reports23% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

REAR LIFT GATE UNEXPECTEDLY UNLATCHES. THIS HAPPENS WHEN PASSIVE LOCKING AND UNLOCKING IS ACTIVATED. THIS HAPPENS SOMETIMES WHILE THE CAR IS RUNNING AND CAN HAPPEN WHEN VEHICLE IS STATIONARY OR MOVING

4/17/2018

THE CAR STOPPED WORKING SUDDENLY IN THE MIAMI TURNPIKE, DRIVE MODE NOT AVAILABLE WENT ON, ALSO ABS, PARKING AND ENGINE LIGHTS WENT ON. IT WAS SCARY BECAUSE STOPPED WORKING WITHOUT PREVIOUS NOTICE. WE ALMOST HAVE AN ACCIDENT. IT HAPPENS THE SAME IN 2015, SAME MODEL IN TAMPA HIGHWAY.

2/27/2019

3 more complaints are available in this category.

ENGINE

5 Reports23% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

THE CAR STOPPED WORKING SUDDENLY IN THE MIAMI TURNPIKE, DRIVE MODE NOT AVAILABLE WENT ON, ALSO ABS, PARKING AND ENGINE LIGHTS WENT ON. IT WAS SCARY BECAUSE STOPPED WORKING WITHOUT PREVIOUS NOTICE. WE ALMOST HAVE AN ACCIDENT. IT HAPPENS THE SAME IN 2015, SAME MODEL IN TAMPA HIGHWAY.

2/27/2019

MY VEHICLE HAS ABRUPTLY SHUT OFF ON MY TWICE NOW. THE FIRST TIME, I HAD JUST MADE A TURN FROM A BUSY INTERSECTION NEAR MY HOME WHEN THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. THOUGH THE CAR STOPPED MOVING, NONE OF THE ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS OF WOULD SHUT OFF. I HAD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY TO MAKE IT SHUT OFF. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE CAR DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE, AND THEY RETURNED THE CAR TO ME, DOING NOTHING BECAUSE THE ISSUE DIDN'T HAPPEN WHEN THEY STARTED THE CAR A DAY LATER. FAST FORWARD SEVERAL WEEKS, THE CAR STOPPED -- THIS TIME ON THE FINAL SPACE OF A BRIDGE. BY THE GRACE OF GOD, WE COASTED TO THE BOTTOM OF THE BRIDGE WHERE THE CAR STOPPED COMPLETELY. AGAIN, THE CAR WOULDN'T SHUT OFF, BUT IT JUST DIDN'T MOVE. I HAD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY. THIS TIME, I LEFT THE CAR WHERE IT WAS, AND I RETURNED TO PICK UP THE CAR 24 HOURS LATER. THE CAR STARTED AND RAN JUST FINE. I THEN HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE I WAS FEELING UNCOMFORTABLE DRIVING IT. THEY HAVE KEPT THE CAR FOR FOUR DAYS, AND THEY CALLED ME TO SAY THEY DIDN'T DO ANYTHING BECAUSE THEY CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT. BECAUSE THERE'S AN OUTSTANDING RECALL (AND, COINCIDENTALLY, AN ENSUING CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT) ON THE CAR, THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD INITIATE THE RECALL ACTION. THIS IS TWO PART ACTION -- I BELIEVE -- BECAUSE FIAT HAS NO INTENTIONS OF PAYING FOR THESE REPAIRS. I DO NOT KNOW IF THIS IS WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY CAR, BUT THE MECHANIC DID INDICATE THAT THE OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUE MANIFESTS ITSELF IN THE WAYS I HAVE DESCRIBED. SO I HAVE TO KEEP MY CAR FOR 1,500 TO 1,700 MILES AND THEN ONLY RETURN TO THE DEALERSHIP IF I BELIEVE IT'S THE OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUE. I'M NOT SURE HOW I'M SUPPOSED TO DETERMINE THAT. ADDITIONALLY, BECAUSE WE'RE IN A PANDEMIC, AND I WFH, IT WILL TAKE ME TEN+ MONTHS TO ACCRUE THAT MANY DRIVE MILES.

2/16/2021

3 more complaints are available in this category.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

3 Reports14% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

I HAVE HAD SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS THAT HAVE COME ON SEVERAL DIFFERENT TIMES WHILE IN MOTION AND WHILE PARKED SINCE I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE A FEW MONTHS AGO. SERVICE ABS, DYNAMIC STEERING TORQUE, SERVICE ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE, SERVICE HILL HOLD CONTROL. THE FIRST TIME THESE LIGHTS CAME ON I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID THE LIGHTS DIDN'T COME ON DURING THE WEEK THEY HAD IT. SINCE THEN THE LIGHTS HAVE COME ON SEVERAL DAYS WHILE DRIVING ON THE CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS.

7/1/2018

MY VEHICLE HAS ABRUPTLY SHUT OFF ON MY TWICE NOW. THE FIRST TIME, I HAD JUST MADE A TURN FROM A BUSY INTERSECTION NEAR MY HOME WHEN THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. THOUGH THE CAR STOPPED MOVING, NONE OF THE ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS OF WOULD SHUT OFF. I HAD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY TO MAKE IT SHUT OFF. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE CAR DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE, AND THEY RETURNED THE CAR TO ME, DOING NOTHING BECAUSE THE ISSUE DIDN'T HAPPEN WHEN THEY STARTED THE CAR A DAY LATER. FAST FORWARD SEVERAL WEEKS, THE CAR STOPPED -- THIS TIME ON THE FINAL SPACE OF A BRIDGE. BY THE GRACE OF GOD, WE COASTED TO THE BOTTOM OF THE BRIDGE WHERE THE CAR STOPPED COMPLETELY. AGAIN, THE CAR WOULDN'T SHUT OFF, BUT IT JUST DIDN'T MOVE. I HAD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY. THIS TIME, I LEFT THE CAR WHERE IT WAS, AND I RETURNED TO PICK UP THE CAR 24 HOURS LATER. THE CAR STARTED AND RAN JUST FINE. I THEN HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE I WAS FEELING UNCOMFORTABLE DRIVING IT. THEY HAVE KEPT THE CAR FOR FOUR DAYS, AND THEY CALLED ME TO SAY THEY DIDN'T DO ANYTHING BECAUSE THEY CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT. BECAUSE THERE'S AN OUTSTANDING RECALL (AND, COINCIDENTALLY, AN ENSUING CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT) ON THE CAR, THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD INITIATE THE RECALL ACTION. THIS IS TWO PART ACTION -- I BELIEVE -- BECAUSE FIAT HAS NO INTENTIONS OF PAYING FOR THESE REPAIRS. I DO NOT KNOW IF THIS IS WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY CAR, BUT THE MECHANIC DID INDICATE THAT THE OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUE MANIFESTS ITSELF IN THE WAYS I HAVE DESCRIBED. SO I HAVE TO KEEP MY CAR FOR 1,500 TO 1,700 MILES AND THEN ONLY RETURN TO THE DEALERSHIP IF I BELIEVE IT'S THE OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUE. I'M NOT SURE HOW I'M SUPPOSED TO DETERMINE THAT. ADDITIONALLY, BECAUSE WE'RE IN A PANDEMIC, AND I WFH, IT WILL TAKE ME TEN+ MONTHS TO ACCRUE THAT MANY DRIVE MILES.

2/16/2021

1 more complaint is available in this category.

STRUCTURE:BODY

2 Reports9% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

ON JANUARY 9TH, 2018 I LEASED A NEW 2017 FIAT 500X FROM FIAT AUTO GALLERY VAN NUYS AT 5711 VAN NUYS BLVD, VAN NUYS, CA 91401. TWO WEEKS LATER WHILE WASHING MY CAR FOR THE FIRST TIME, I NOTICED SOME CLOUDY SPOTS ON THE CAR'S EXTERIOR PAINT (3 SPOTS) AND WHAT APPEARED TO BE A BURN SPOT ON THE LEFT PASSENGER DOOR. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS A MANUFACTURING ISSUE THAT NEEDED TO BE HANDLED BY FIAT. THEY TOOK PICTURES AND WERE SUPPOSED TO CONTACT THE APPROPRIATE DEPARTMENT AT FIAT TO HANDLE MY CASE. AFTER SEVERAL WEEKS OF NO ACTIVITY, I CALLED CUSTOMER SERVICE AT FIAT DIRECTLY AND HAD THEM OPEN A CASE FOR ME. THE CASE AGENT COORDINATED WITH THE DEALERSHIP TO SEND THE PICTURES TO THE APPROPRIATE DEPARTMENT AT FIAT, AN INSPECTOR CAME OUT TO INSPECT MY VEHICLE AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT IN FACT, MY CAR'S PAINT HAD A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. THIS WAS DETERMINED BACK IN APRIL AND FIAT HAS FAILED TO RESOLVE MY CASE. I HAVE CALLED SEVERAL TIMES AND HAVE BEEN LIED TO REPEATEDLY THAT SOMEONE WOULD BE IN TOUCH WITH ME TO EITHER REPLACE MY VEHICLE OR HAVE ME TURN IN THE VEHICLE FOR A FULL REFUND. IT HAS BEEN 10 MONTHS SINCE I ALERTED FIAT OF THE ISSUE AND THEY REFUSE TO RESOLVE MY CASE.

10/18/2018

February 2023 the Fiat breaks and transmission locked up and all of the lights on the dashboard started flashing in the middle of the road. filed claim with geico. turned out to be a leak somewhere in the body frame of the car which leaked water into the RF module of the car causing water damage inside the RF module causing the car transmission to lock up emergency brake lockup and all lights flashing and horn beeping uncontrollably. Geico paid Fiat dealership to replace RF module but not the leak. again in September 2023 this happened in the middle of busy [XXX]. the car completely locked up and screeched to a halt on the interstate nearly causing a crash. The car was taken back to the same dealership. they determined the RF module had water damage again caused by a leak. Geico refused to pay anything for repairs this time. after speaking with Fiat customer service representative, Fiat agreed to pay for diagnosis of leak, location and repair of leak and replacement of RF module. [XXX] the dealership said they found the leak. The leak was located somewhere on the back portion of the car. there was a crack on both sides of the back portion of the car. [XXX] the dealership cannot find the leak. The dealership wants to give the car back. we are terrified to drive the car because it could lock up at any moment again for a third time. after research, we discovered this leak into the RF module has happened many times in the Fiats around the world including UK. this car was purchased brand new by my [XXX] who cannot afford to buy another car and is terrified to drive this car. after posting the malfunction on YouTube, we discovered other people are having the same issue with Fiat. it sounds like a manufacturer defect somewhere in the welding or weather stripping. we have no idea. the dealership took photos of crack, leak. location, attached INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

1/29/2024

SERVICE BRAKES

2 Reports9% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

THE CAR STOPPED WORKING SUDDENLY IN THE MIAMI TURNPIKE, DRIVE MODE NOT AVAILABLE WENT ON, ALSO ABS, PARKING AND ENGINE LIGHTS WENT ON. IT WAS SCARY BECAUSE STOPPED WORKING WITHOUT PREVIOUS NOTICE. WE ALMOST HAVE AN ACCIDENT. IT HAPPENS THE SAME IN 2015, SAME MODEL IN TAMPA HIGHWAY.

2/27/2019

February 2023 the Fiat breaks and transmission locked up and all of the lights on the dashboard started flashing in the middle of the road. filed claim with geico. turned out to be a leak somewhere in the body frame of the car which leaked water into the RF module of the car causing water damage inside the RF module causing the car transmission to lock up emergency brake lockup and all lights flashing and horn beeping uncontrollably. Geico paid Fiat dealership to replace RF module but not the leak. again in September 2023 this happened in the middle of busy [XXX]. the car completely locked up and screeched to a halt on the interstate nearly causing a crash. The car was taken back to the same dealership. they determined the RF module had water damage again caused by a leak. Geico refused to pay anything for repairs this time. after speaking with Fiat customer service representative, Fiat agreed to pay for diagnosis of leak, location and repair of leak and replacement of RF module. [XXX] the dealership said they found the leak. The leak was located somewhere on the back portion of the car. there was a crack on both sides of the back portion of the car. [XXX] the dealership cannot find the leak. The dealership wants to give the car back. we are terrified to drive the car because it could lock up at any moment again for a third time. after research, we discovered this leak into the RF module has happened many times in the Fiats around the world including UK. this car was purchased brand new by my [XXX] who cannot afford to buy another car and is terrified to drive this car. after posting the malfunction on YouTube, we discovered other people are having the same issue with Fiat. it sounds like a manufacturer defect somewhere in the welding or weather stripping. we have no idea. the dealership took photos of crack, leak. location, attached INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

1/29/2024

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

1 Report5% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

I HAVE HAD SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS THAT HAVE COME ON SEVERAL DIFFERENT TIMES WHILE IN MOTION AND WHILE PARKED SINCE I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE A FEW MONTHS AGO. SERVICE ABS, DYNAMIC STEERING TORQUE, SERVICE ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE, SERVICE HILL HOLD CONTROL. THE FIRST TIME THESE LIGHTS CAME ON I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID THE LIGHTS DIDN'T COME ON DURING THE WEEK THEY HAD IT. SINCE THEN THE LIGHTS HAVE COME ON SEVERAL DAYS WHILE DRIVING ON THE CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS.

7/1/2018

STEERING

1 Report5% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

I HAVE HAD SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS THAT HAVE COME ON SEVERAL DIFFERENT TIMES WHILE IN MOTION AND WHILE PARKED SINCE I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE A FEW MONTHS AGO. SERVICE ABS, DYNAMIC STEERING TORQUE, SERVICE ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE, SERVICE HILL HOLD CONTROL. THE FIRST TIME THESE LIGHTS CAME ON I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID THE LIGHTS DIDN'T COME ON DURING THE WEEK THEY HAD IT. SINCE THEN THE LIGHTS HAVE COME ON SEVERAL DAYS WHILE DRIVING ON THE CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS.

7/1/2018

SEAT BELTS

1 Report5% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

THE SEAT BELT WILL NOT BUCKLE. BUT SHOWS THAT IT IS BUCKLED.

2/3/2019

POWER TRAIN

1 Report5% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

SERVICE TRANSMISSION LIGHT APPEARS FOLLOWED BY "DRIVE MODE UNAVAILABLE." WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE VEHICLE IS BASICALLY IN "NEUTRAL." THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING, INCLUDING CITY STREETS AND ON A 65 MPH HIGHWAY. THE ONLY RECOURSE IS TO IMMEDIATELY PULL OVER (WHILE DRIFTING) AND TURN THE CAR OFF AND ON SEVERAL TIMES UNTIL THE DISPLAY CLEARS. FIAT SERVICE UPDATED VEHICLE CONTROL MODULES TO NO AVAIL. TCM WAS REPLACED TO NO AVAIL.

7/23/2019

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

1 Report5% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

THE FORWARD COLLISION WARNING SYSTEM DOES NOT FUNCTION AT ALL. TOOK IT TO TWO DIFFERENT FIAT DEALERS AND SINCE THERE ARE NO CODES SYSTEM OPERATING, BUT DOES NOT WORK AT ALL.

2/26/2021

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 2017 Fiat 500X?

The most reported complaint category for the 2017 Fiat 500X is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, with 5 owner reports. That is about 23% of all complaints logged here. Other recurring themes include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

Are complaints about the 2017 Fiat 500X a serious warning sign?

Potentially. 13 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 2017 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 2017 Fiat 500X severe?

13 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.

Return to full vehicle report
Complaint entries
22
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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