Fiat 500 fire or smoke problems

Filed Oct 11, 2022 · Electrical · PR · fire

In the morning (6AM) of September 19, my car car caught on fire while parked in my driveway. There were flames 3-4 feet height coming from the engine hood area. Once the fire was extinguished by the local fire department, I found the car was extensively damaged in the front outside and inside driver cabin. Upon further inspection I found the fire might have started with or around the battery, as it was completely melted. Further inspection on the back side of the car showed some stripped wiring in the assembly connecting to the rear hatch mechanism, lights, and other. In the days previous to this incident the battery had loss its charge completely twice in the span of a week and a half.

Filed Apr 7, 2021 · Transmission · 74,000 miles · TX

Vehicle was acting a little strange on a trip to the store. I saw smoke coming from under the hood when I pulled into the parking spot. Upon this happening the car would not go back into gear. Had it towed to a dealership and was informed of the s34 recall on the clutch. The spring had failed causing the clutch to fail. The recall fix was completed and when I picked my car up I noticed it was very hard to shift into gears-but thought it was due to the new clutch. I went to the store and when I went to leave it grinded so loud when I put it in reverse. I waited so I could pull forward instead. I took it back to the dealership and was told that my transmission was going out but was instructed on how to just push it into gear through the grinding until I could get a new transmission. That the recall had nothing to do with the transmission issue. I found this absolutely unacceptable and opened a case with fiat-who is still trying to tell me that the two issues have nothing to do with each other. I am attaching documentation I have found that shows fca stating that the recall can cause excessive clutch travel and that over time cause damage to the transmission-limiting a driver's ability to change gears!!!!! I am getting nowhere with them and basically have a hunk of metal now.

Filed Jun 22, 2020 · 28,044 miles · CA · fire

I was driving a total of 4 and a half hours back home from a trip. Most of the trip was via straight freeway. I was 2 hours in when the check engine light started blinking. I called my dad who said to pull over immediately. I let my car glide through the exit that was coming up and I noticed smoke flowing behind my car. I pulled over and got out to see smoke coming out of the hood. I opened the hood and discussed what was happening with my dad. All of a sudden I heard a noise that sounded like a blow torch and flames came up out of the engine. I ran about 50-100 meters away and called 911. Quickly, the whole hood was on fire. Thankfully the fire department must have been close by because they were able to put out the fire before it got too far inside the car. The windshield melted and shattered. I found glass stuck on my purse and hat sitting in the passenger seat. I had to throw them away as I could not get the glass off. The car was taken to a tow yard where my insurance company inspected it. They could not find the cause for the damage. Since the car was a 2015 model that I had purchased new and it was 2018, I thought it was strange that this would happen so I had fiat pick up the vehicle and inspect it. They said they did not find that the fire was associated with manufacturing or assembly error. I then had my insurance company take it and close the claim. Still find it strange that a 3 year old car suddenly caught on fire with no warning. I'm glad I was able to move off to the side and that I wasn't in the car when it caught on fire fully. The cause of the fire though is still unknown.

Filed Feb 21, 2020 · Transmission · 113,048 miles · CA

On friday, december 6, 2019 my 2012 fiat 500 began to emit a strong odor. I thought the car would catch on fire. The car also made a loud, screeching and grinding noise. When I arrived safely to my destination, a few minutes away, I stopped and turned off the car. I had to cancel a hair appointment because I didn't feel comfortable driving the distance in the vehicle. On monday, december 9, 2019 I took my car into a fiat chrysler dodge ram jeep dealership for an oil change and free basic inspection. I was told by the dealership that they also heard the noise coming from the clutch area but needed to perform an official diagnostic. I didn't have the money at the time so I waited until january 2, 2020 to have the diagnostic performed. During the month of december and while my car was in the shop I took lyft rideshare for transportation as I did not feel safe driving the car. The car stayed in the shop over the weekend and I was able to pick it up on monday, january 6, 2020. The issue was related to a recall fca # s34, the federal safety agency# 16v‑302 that happened a couple years before. It was supposed to be resolved for this vehicle but I was having similar and worse problems, which are due to the previous faulty car part. The fiat has only $113k miles on it. I have owned manual transmission vehicles previously and never had this issue. I previously owned a honda civic (gained over 200k miles) and a chevy aveo and neither car had this issue. I believe this is a serious safety hazard and myself and my daughter could have been seriously injured had I continued to drive this vehicle. The clutch could have stopped all together and we could have hit another vehicle or been seriously injured on the interstate or street traffic. Even with the repairs I am no longer confident in the safety of this vehicle. It should be declared a lemon.

Filed Apr 1, 2019 · 100,000 miles · WV · fire

While driving car lost power and smoke began coming out from under hood. Immediately after the check engine light came on. Car was pulled to side of interstate. Immediately got out and looked under hood to see flames and smoke. Called 911 report the fire, dispatch said fire and police would arrive soon. Checked under the hood for a second time, there was considerable more fire and smoke. Proceeded to gather purse and bag from the backseat. Approximately 4 minutes had elapsed. By this time the car is completely engulfed in flames. I moved approximately 300 feet away in fear the car may explode. Another 4-5 minutes passed when police arrived and an additional 6-7 more minutes for the firefighters to respond. As for personal safety, driving had approximately 4 minutes to escape vehicle from check engine light appearing to the entire be completely encompassed with flames. Driver escaped unharmed, but was incredibly shaken by the scary events that unfolded in such a rapid period of time. Car was not able to be saved.

Filed Jan 24, 2019 · Transmission · 95,356 miles · NV

I drive a manual fiat, and I smelled a burning smell and my clutch wasn't engaging properly, I was losing torque,and theres a loud squeaking when I press on the clutch.

Filed Feb 9, 2018 · Transmission · 84,191 miles · TX · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 fiat 500. While driving 60 MPH, the contact detected an abnormal burning odor and smoke coming from under the hood. The vehicle stalled without warning and was towed to classic chrysler dodge jeep (111 I-20 east frontage rd, arlington, tx 76018, 682‑226‑6400). The dealer diagnosed that the clutch bearing needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and opened case number: 32948895. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not under a warranty or recall. The failure mileage was 84,191.

Filed Jul 21, 2017 · Electrical · 56,000 miles · OR

I bought my car in october of 2016 I paid $10,000 for it it had 56,000 miles on it I bought it because I am handicapped and I need it a small car but also one where I could put a walker or wheelchair in which I cannot because the wires all broke in the hat from a manufacture defect I had I just now was able to get it repaired it cost me $430 and then because of the electrical wires being broke they shorted out a computer so they still don't work I still cannot open my hatch and get into the back of my car to be able to put a walker or wheelchair in and I feel that the manufacturer needs to correct this for me for I'm disabled and I don't have that kind of money I wouldn't have bought the car if I known it had this issue it is not handicap accessible and it also the car could have caught fire it is all I will not pass safety inspection because of this please help

Filed Sep 3, 2016 · Transmission · 25,000 miles · IN

While in a drive through, smoke began pouring from the hood. Had vehicle inspected , was told this is normal for fiat, and clutch was in process of burning out. This is a 2014 with 20k miles. The fact that a clutch burning out is "normal" at this low of miles is shocking. Now experiencing acetone smell from exhaust, which I am still being told is a sign of the 'normal' clutch burning smell.

Filed Jul 25, 2016 · Electrical · 39,970 miles · MI · fire

Stopped at bank to withdraw some cash and the alternator started on fire! Had the car towed to mechanic to repair .