2013 Fiat 500: engine failure

Filed Mar 27, 2025 · Brakes, Electrical · CO

Office of Defects Investigation, I am filing this formal complaint to report the sale and interstate delivery of a dangerously defective and noncompliant vehicle sold to me by Arlington Auto Group, located at 3621 Columbia Pike, Arlington, Virginia. On [XXX], I purchased a 2013 Fiat 500 (VIN: [XXX] ). The vehicle was delivered to my home in Englewood, Colorado on [XXX]. Within 24 hours of taking possession of the car—and having driven fewer than 100 miles—I had the vehicle inspected by a certified mechanic at The Auto Repair Place in Boulder, Colorado. Their findings revealed multiple severe safety hazards, including: Rear brake pads completely worn to metal-on-metal contact Two bolts missing from the rear passenger wheel A destroyed and leaking turbocharger, which increases the risk of engine failure Inoperable tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) No Virginia safety inspection documentation provided Additionally, the car had been illegally tampered with to bypass emissions systems, including removal of the catalytic converter and installation of sensor bypass wiring, which also violates federal law and emissions standards. This vehicle was represented as safe and legally operable at the time of sale. However, these issues clearly indicate the vehicle poses a substantial risk to public safety and should not have been sold or shipped across state lines. Request for Investigation I respectfully request that the federal safety agency investigate this matter for violations of federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS) and to determine whether this dealership has a pattern or practice of selling unsafe or defective vehicles. I am prepared to provide: Full mechanic inspection report Purchase contract and shipping records Photos of the damage and mechanical issues Communications with the dealership and lender Thank you for your time and attention to this serious safety matter. Sincerely, [XXX] [XXX] (303) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Mar 19, 2019 · Engine · 34,780 miles · PA

Low oil pressure warning light. Oil level was fine. Then loss of power. Took it to dealership and need new engine

Filed Jan 27, 2018 · Engine · 75,097 miles · FL

About a month ago, my wife was driving to/from work and noticed a "check engine" light come on. We immediately scheduled an appointment with our local studio and continued to drive the car as normal. At this point, nothing was going on with the car, except that the light came on. A day or two later, the light went off, and the car continued to act normal. We ended up canceling the appointment, guessing that there was a glitch with the computer. The very next morning, my wife started the car to find the engine shaking and the exhaust making a strange sound, so she shut the engine off and we had the car towed to the dealership. A couple of days later, I got a call from the studio explaining that the car was very low on oil and that it appears the car's been consuming oil at an accelerated rate. He said they performed an oil change and that, per fiat's protocol, they'd perform an oil consumption test by letting us drive the car for 750 miles and then we'd have to bring the car back to let them check everything out. I went to pick up the car only to find the same issue that my wife had described (engine shaking, exhaust making noise). It was late and the service department was closed, so I left the key with the receptionist and explained that the car was in the same condition as when we had it towed and that I'd like them to find out what's going on. A few days later, the studio called to explain that the engine's oil pressure was shot and that the engine needed to be replaced. Cylinder 3's oil valve was stuck and the cylinder was mis-firing. The studio recommended replaced the engine as opposed to investigating what failed, since the investigation could take hours and cost more than an engine replacement. This is my second fiat; the first experienced the clutch recall that I had previously report to the federal safety agency and thanks to mine and others reports, a recall was issued.

Filed Aug 5, 2016 · Transmission · 24,000 miles · FL

Fiat 500 stick shift recall I have contacted chrysler corporate to inquire about my recall and they are stating that they have no parts. If I would like to pay for the repair I could then I could "battle it out" with chrysler for reimbursement. I never received a recall letter. I only found out when I contacted the dealer. I was driving my car when the stick seized up and I couldnt shift my car and it left me stranded in the street. I pushed my car out of harms way and I ended up falling on the street when I lost control of the car pushing it. 2 police officers came to my aid. I contacted the dealer and they had it towed. Then I was advised that there were no parts available/. I have called chrysler corporation but no one will address my complaint. I am without a car, a rental nothing. I was advised 3 times that a fiat manager from corporate would call me. They have not. No one wants to assist me.

Filed Jul 2, 2015 · Brakes, Transmission · 3,171 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 fiat 500. While driving at various speeds, there was a loud screeching noise coming from the rear passenger side of the vehicle. The contact stated that the brake pedal had to be lightly depressed and the steering wheel had to be turned in order for the noise to subside. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the failure could not be duplicated. A week later, the vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the front strut needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken back to the dealer again where it was diagnosed that the rear brakes failed and the caliper seized, which caused the rear passenger side rotor to abnormally deteriorate. The rotor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. A few months later, while driving approximately 60 MPH, the clutch could not be depressed and the vehicle could not shift. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the clutch failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 3,171.