Fiat 500 years to avoid (and the best years)
803 NHTSA owner complaints and 7 recalls across 6 model years, 2012 to 2017. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 803complaints
- 7recalls
- 48reported crashes
- 16reported fires
- 38reported injuries
Which Fiat 500 years should you avoid?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the Fiat 500 year to avoid is 2012. The typical Fiat 500 year has 108 complaints on file.
- 2012: 395 complaints, 3.7 times the typical year. Most complaints name the transmission and drivetrain (51% of complaints) and the electrical system (16% of complaints).
What are the best Fiat 500 years?
The Fiat 500 years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2017 (14), 2016 (14) and 2015 (92). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 14 | 0.1× | 2 | 2 | 1 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2016 | 14 | 0.1× | 4 | 3 | 2 | Few red flags | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2015 | 92 | 0.9× | 4 | 4 | 4 | Few red flags | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2014 | 124 | 1.1× | 4 | 9 | 8 | Few red flags | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2013 | 164 | 1.5× | 4 | 9 | 6 | Some concerns to check | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2012 | 395 | 3.7× | 4 | 21 | 17 | Approach with caution | Transmission and drivetrain |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 3 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Other systems3 (100%)
Recalls (7)
Tires · 24V474000 · Jun 2024 · model years 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
A TPMS warning light that fails to illuminate can result in the vehicle being driven with improperly inflated tires, increasing the risk of a crash.
Transmission · 19V817000 · Nov 2019 · model years 2012, 2013
If the shifter cable detaches from the transmission, the transmission may not shift into the gear selected by the driver. Additionally, despite selecting PARK with the shifter, the vehicle may roll away. These scenarios may increase the risk of a crash.
Transmission · 19E044000 · Jul 2019 · model years 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
If the shifter breaks while the vehicle is in motion, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Safety · 16V667000 · Sep 2016 · model year 2016
If the spare tire is used while overinflated, the tire may suddenly fail, increasing the risk of a crash.
Transmission · 16V302000 · May 2016 · model years 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
If the clutch diaphragm spring fails, the driver may not be able to shift gears or the vehicle may lose motive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Transmission · 15V291000 · May 2015 · model years 2013, 2014, 2015
If the vehicle unexpectedly shifts to neutral, the loss of drive could increase the risk of a crash.
Brakes · 11V550000 · Nov 2011 · model year 2012
THIS COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.