Check a VIN

Fiat 500 problems by year

Owners have filed 812 complaints about the Fiat 500 since 2011, and 6 recalls have been issued. The 2012 model year has 396 complaints, more than any other year, led by transmission and electrical problems.

1 year to avoidWorst: 2012
Owner complaints
812
Recalls
6
Worst year
2012
Model years
2011-2018

Fiat 500 years to avoid

More than twice the 500's typical complaint count for a model year.

Best Fiat 500 years

Not enough model years on the road yet to compare.

Fiat 500 complaints by model year

Owner complaints by model year. Newer years have had less time on the road, so expect them to grow.

20112012201320142015201620172018

How we calculate this

Year to avoidFewest complaintsOther years

Most common Fiat 500 problems

All model years combined.

  • Transmission
    391
  • Electrical
    136
  • Engine
    112
  • Airbags
    52
  • Fuel system
    44
  • Steering
    38
  • Brakes
    35
  • Body
    32
  • Lights
    30
  • Acceleration
    29
  • Suspension
    27
  • Visibility
    22

Most reported problems on the Fiat 500

Check engine light 47Stalling 44Won't shift 38Fire or smoke 29Overheating 11Ball joint 11

Fiat 500 problems year by year

Tap a year to see its problems, recalls and what owners say.

YearScoreComplaintsTop problemTypical mileageRecallsCrashes
2018955Brakes10
20179014Electrical15,87312
20168314Transmission25,00033
20157492Transmission26,00034
201461124Transmission17,00039
201353166Transmission44,00039
201221396Transmission47,700321Avoid
2011951Brakes00

Recalls 6

See all 6 recalls for the Fiat 500

Questions about the Fiat 500

What years of the Fiat 500 should you avoid?

2012. It has more than twice the Fiat 500's typical number of owner complaints for a model year; 2012 alone has 396, mostly about transmission and electrical.

What is the best year for a used Fiat 500?

There are not enough model years on the road yet to compare.

What is the most common problem with the Fiat 500?

Transmission, with 391 complaints across all years, followed by electrical (136) and engine (112).

How many recalls does the Fiat 500 have?

6 recalls between 2011 and 2018. The 2016 model year has the most, with 3.

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used Fiat 500?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history
Is this car on a recall?Check VIN