Fiat 500 engine failure problems

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 Feb 6, 2021 · Acceleration, Electrical · 160,000 miles · FL

Began losing clutch, clutch/brake assembly had the 2 connecting bolts broken in half. Have pictures. Clutch interlock arrived bad, bypassed it; now the power steering, engine light and eos lights stay on. Car engine died then cranked up on its own while driving 60mph stating high temp (pull over, turn engine off) - had been in the car less than 1 minute, just long enough to get to 60 on the highway. Now clutch interlock, and brake interlock must be replaced.

Filed May 25, 2019 · Engine · 65,000 miles · CA

I bought the car 2 years ago and driven it without any issues until a few months ago when the low oil pressure light showed. Being in traffic and in the rain, I did drive my car home. I took it to a local mechanic the next day who changed the low oil pressure sensor and changed the oil and it looked like the problem went away. But after a few weeks it appeared again. I tried to research the problem on the net and most posts I found indicated that the entire engine needs to be replaced. The car has 65000 miles, seems like an unfair problem to have for such a young engine. The problem occurrs only at idle. Since I drive the car very little and in no traffic I decided to continue driving it and look out for the light and turn off the engine when it comes on. But one day my car did not start so I towed it to my mechanic which found the starter had some corroded bolts (?) which he cleaned and the car runs fine now. But he warned me that the oil pressure problem is only going to get worse and that at some point I will have to replace the engine. I tried to figure out why this problem occurred in the first place by trying to find any sensible information on the internet. It seems like there is quite a few owners out there that have the same problem, but did not find any answers on what is the cause of it. I found this information on a recall regarding the starter: csn n15 starter motor mounting bolts 2012 (ff) fiat 500 the starter motor mounting bolts on about 3k of vehicles may not ground the starter motor to the transaxle case properly. This could cause the electrical energy from the starter motor during cranking to take an alternate path to ground across the engine crankshaft bearings. My car is not recalled for this problem. But is it still possible that my car was affected by the same problem? And if yes, who is responsible for the damages that result form it?

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 Oct 5, 2016 · Electrical · AL

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 fiat 200c (na). The contact experienced several electrical failures with the voice recognition and radio. Also, the vehicle shifted from drive to park and the vehicle was still moving even though the gear shifter stated it was in park. The vehicle seized in the drive position. The failures occurred between the speeds of 30 to 40 MPH. The VIN and failure mileage were unknown.

Filed Aug 26, 2016 · Transmission · 21,000 miles · KY

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 fiat 500. While driving 40 MPH, the contact depressed the clutch pedal and a loud noise was present. The clutch pedal stiffened and seized. As a result, the shifter failed. The vehicle was towed to a dealer service center where the vehicle was repaired. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 16v302000 (power train). The part needed for the repair 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 failure. The approximate failure mileage was 21,000. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

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 Aug 28, 2015 · Engine · 39,000 miles · CA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 fiat 500. While stopped at a traffic light, the vehicle jerked violently. A message appeared on the dashboard instructing the contact to place the transmission shifter in the neutral position and then into the drive position. The contact followed the instructions and the engine failed without warning. The contact attempted to restart the engine multiple times before succeeding. The check engine warning light then illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was reluctant to accelerate and drive slowly. The contact also noticed a burning odor. The contact discovered that the odor was coming from under the hood. The vehicle was towed to a dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 39,000. The consumer stated the vehicle was taken to the dealer on multiple occasions for the jolting. The dealer advised the computer was learning the driver's habits and was operating as designed. After the failure, the vehicle was towed to the dealer and was repaired under warranty. The manufacturer offered a 60,000 mile warranty, no deductible, free of cost and $500.00 for compensation. The consumer was dissatisfied with the offer. Upon retrieving the vehicle the dealer advised the consumer to put the vehicle in neutral while at a stop, because one of the clutches slightly drags and would eventually burn up, which is what caused the failure. The consumer believed that was unacceptable.

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.