The contact owns a 2013 Fiat 500. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was determined that the shifter cable bushing had failed. The vehicle was repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V817000 (Power Train); however, the failure recurred 25 miles later. Upon inspection, the contact became aware that the shifter cable bushing under the hood had detached again. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was repaired with the part provided by the manufacturer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and initially informed the contact that a case was pending authorization for a loaner vehicle, tow truck service, and repair assistance; however, the dealer later informed the contact that the manufacturer had only agreed to cover the repair. The failure mileage was 117,627.
2013 Fiat 500 transmission problems
80 complaints (48% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 66,000. 1 crash reported.
- owner complaints
- 80
- of this car's complaints
- 48%
- typical mileage
- 66,000
- crashes
- 1
- recalls
- 3
Which part fails
- Manual transmission: column shift assembly1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Fiat 500 transmission problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2013 Fiat 500 transmission
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Fiat 500 vehicles equipped with 6-speed automatic transmissions. The shifter cable bushing may fail allowing the cable to detach from the transmission.
- Risk
- 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.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter cable adjuster, free of charge. The recall began January 9, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is VB4.
Recall number 19V817000 · Recall details
Power train: manual transmission
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2012-2016 Fiat 500 vehicles manufactured June 21, 2010, through January 12, 2016, equipped with a manual transmission. The clutch diaphragm spring may fracture and fail, causing an inability to switch gears.
- Risk
- 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.
- Remedy
- The remedy for this recall will include the installation of a clutch pedal limiter and a clutch pedal switch. The recall began on November 10, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S34.
Recall number 16V302000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Fiat 500 battery electric vehicles manufactured March 8, 2013, to March 7, 2015. The Electric Vehicle Control Unit (EVCU) of the affected vehicles may set a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) that may cause the transmission to unexpectedly shift to neutral.
- Risk
- If the vehicle unexpectedly shifts to neutral, the loss of drive could increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EVCU, free of charge. The recall began June 19, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R20.
Recall number 15V291000 · Recall details
What 2013 Fiat 500 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Gear cable broke. Automatic engine could not allow gears to shift. Would like for my vehicle to be included under the federal safety agency TECALL 19V‑817. FCA Campaign Vb4.Fiat 500c 2012-13. MOPAR Fiat case #98205553.
Systemic Hydraulic Defect & Safety Recall Circumvention I am reporting a critical safety defect in the clutch hydraulic system of my 2013 Fiat 500 Abarth, which directly mirrors the failures described in the federal safety agency Recalls 16V‑302 and 20V‑124. Diagnostic measurements confirm a 1.23mm hydraulic over-travel in the clutch release bearing/slave cylinder assembly. This over-travel causes the diaphragm spring to be over-extended, leading to the catastrophic failure of the pressure plate and subsequent inability to disengage the clutch. This poses an immediate safety risk of vehicle surge or inability to shift gears while in motion. Despite this objective engineering data, Stellantis (FCA US, LLC) Executive offices (specifically Mike Macdonald) have formally refused to perform the safety recall repair, citing my status as the "5th owner" as a justification for exclusion. This represents a willful circumvention of a federal safety recall, as the hydraulic over-travel is a latent design defect present since manufacture and is entirely unrelated to ownership history or vehicle maintenance. The vehicle is currently available for inspection to verify these measurements.
While driving 40mph, pressed clutch and the transmission would not shift into gear. Car began to slow in traffic ans I was unable to accelerate as the clutch would not engage a gear. Mamaged to sagely get iff road. No fluid leaks found. Would shift into gear with car off. Gear selection works, not a shift cable issue.
2013 FIAT 500 - Manual Transmission. The clutch cover diaphragm spring on the vehicle has fatigue and/or fracture. A failed clutch cover diaphragm spring has resulted in the inability to disengage the clutch, or shift gears. There is an inability to disengage the clutch, shift gears. It is potentially available for inspection if needed. This occurred while driving at low speed (thank goodness). The car became stuck in place when the failure occurred (obviously a safety concern). The issue has been confirmed by a professional. The component has been inspected by service technician. There were no warnings (lamps, messages, etc.). I believe this failure is described in Recall S34 (the federal safety agency), and this vehicle should be included in that recall. FIAT disagrees and has denied responsibility. Can you help?
The contact owns a 2013 Fiat 500. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 16V302000 (POWER TRAIN); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the clutch pedal was depressed; however, the pedal was sticking and failed to respond as designed. The contact was almost involved in a crash due to the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle then started operating as needed after the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage 195,000. VIN tool showed no open recall.
The contact owns a 2013 Fiat 500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the clutch was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The contact stated that there was a jingling sound coming from the engine compartment. In addition, the contact stated that while the clutch was depressed, the vehicle jerked and then rolled forward. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the hard braking warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that parts were not available to repair the vehicle. The contact was fearful of driving the vehicle due to the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 16V302000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 90,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2013 Fiat 500. The contact stated that while reversing, the vehicle failed to shift into park after stopping. While shifting into gear, the vehicle failed to move after the gear selector was placed in the desired gear. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V817000 (Power Train). The contact called a towing company. The tow truck driver was able to re-attach the gear shifter cable, but the failure recurred. While reversing slowly to parallel park, the gear shifter cable detached again. The contact reattached the shifter cable. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 128,300.
Manual Transaxle Clutch Pedal
The contact owns a 2013 Fiat 500. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 16V302000(Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had experienced the failure causing the clutch to fail. The failure mileage was 103,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Questions about the 2013 Fiat 500 transmission
Does the 2013 Fiat 500 have transmission problems?
Owners have filed 80 complaints about the transmission of the 2013 Fiat 500, 48% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2013 Fiat 500 transmission problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 66,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2013 Fiat 500 transmission?
Yes, 3 recalls: 19V817000, 16V302000, 15V291000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Fiat 500 have bad transmission?
The Fiat 500 model years with the most transmission complaints are 2012 (201 complaints), 2013 (80 complaints) and 2014 (67 complaints).
Other 2013 Fiat 500 problems
Engine 22Electrical 17Fuel system 12Airbags 10Body 10Lights 9Brakes 7Steering 7Acceleration 5Tires 5Seat belts 4Driver assistance 3Visibility 3Suspension 2Wheels 2Locks 1
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