Fiat 500 jerking problems

Filed Sep 16, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · 15,873 miles · NM

The contact owns a 2017 Fiat 500. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the check engine, TPMS, and several unknown warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle was jerking and making an abnormal sound. The failure was recurrent. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who was unable to duplicate or determine the cause of the failure. The dealer was contacted by phone. The failure mileage was approximately 15,873.

Filed Nov 21, 2024 · Transmission · 90,000 miles · PA

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.

Filed Feb 18, 2024 · Brakes · CA

Just before coming to a stop the brakes grab and jerk the car. The brakes work normally otherwise.

Filed Jan 30, 2024 · CA

In March 2023 my wife was driving our Fiat 500 on the freeway and the sunroof exploded with a loud bang. Small pieces of glass shattered everywhere and fell all over here. The sound and glass caused her to swerve, luckily no other cars were around. We got insurance involved and sent the car to a body shop to get fixed. No one really knew what caused the problem, though they all suspected a pebble. There was no other evidence to suggest a pebble. In August 2023 when entering the freeway (speed was less than 45 mph) the sunroof exploded again with a loud bang. My wife and I were both in the car. Once again we got insurance involved and the car was sent to a different body shop. The body shop did not find and evidence that a rock or pebble did the damage and were not sure how it could have been caused. This is our family car and we need to drive it daily. It puts everyone’s safety at risk when driving since the shock of falling glass and the sound of the sunroof exploding can cause knee jerk reactions. Therefore, not only is our safety at risk but also the other drivers were we to swerve unintentionally into someone. This happened twice in a span of 6 months.

Filed Jul 13, 2022 · Brakes · CA

Bought the vehicle used and it had zero issues. I bought 4 new tires and immediately after the RBS and ESC warning lights appeared but disappeared one day later. Fives days after the new tires the RBS & ESC warning lights reappeared but remained. I took it to the FIAT Dealership for a diagnostic and they stated that after following the flow chart it states to replace ABS Module due to internal failure. I held off on replacing the ABS module because a separate mechanic stated that it’s common with Fiats for the RBS & ECA warnings to appear after changing all tires. One month later the BRAKE warning light turned on (without the emergency brake in use) and the car began to jerk when in drive or when using the brakes (as I was driving). I had to drive slow with little pressure on the gas so that I would not have to use the brakes as every time I did the car would jerk very roughly and felt as if it was going to break.

Filed Aug 17, 2018 · Transmission · 28,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 fiat 500. While operating the vehicle, the transmission jerked and shifted roughly. Occasionally, the vehicle would shift out of gear and fail to immediately accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (nyle maxwell fiat, 13049 research blvd, austin, tx) where it was diagnosed that the transmission was faulty. Computer updates were performed to the power train control module and the transmission control module, but the failures continued. The manufacturer was notified of the failures, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 28,000.

Filed May 17, 2017 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 35,700 miles · NC

On several occasions, my car has suddenly revved up to 6000 RPM, start jerking and revving up; and a random error will pop up on the dash. When this happens, if you let off of the break the car will automatically speed up to 40 MPH without pushing the gas pedal down. Sometimes it will happen while driving, and sometimes it will start as soon as the car is started. It doesn't matter what kind of road the car is on. Sometimes the car just jerks and displays an error. The most predominant error is "ESC off no hill start". Sometimes it says "coolant temp high". I have taken it to the dealership several times and every time I do they say they are unable to "retrieve an active code off of the computer or duplicate the problem." one time, they replaced the computer in the car because they read high voltage coming off of one of the circuits, but the problem continued after that. My wife recorded a video once where it counted down from 3 to 1 and then suddenly revved up. She also showed different videos that she had made of it at different times to the dealership and they just flat out said they didn't know what was going on.

Filed Sep 22, 2015 · Transmission · 9,980 miles · VA

The check engine light came on, the check transmission light came on, "clutch over heating" displayed and the car stopped shifting smoothly. The dealer "reset" the clutch; after driving 1 mile, it happened again stopping in traffic on a very busy highway during rush hour "wait while the clutch cools down" almost causing crashes as cars veered to get around my stopped car. The dealer replaced then clutch. In less than 2 miles, the car had a similar problem, but would only automatically go into gears 2, 4, 6 and would shift in a jerking manner at best. Reverse gear was not available and alarms would sound if I put the car in neutral or reverse ("this gear not available" would display.) the dealership is replacing the transmission and the flywheel and told me this model had problems with the clutch and transmission. The car has now just gone over 10,000 miles. I do not trust this car. I want and need a replacement. I do not believe after 3 attempts - twice leaving me stopped in the middle of heavy traffic on the highway - the car is anything other than a lemon.

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 27, 2015 · 10,000 miles · NC

Purchased from hendricks in cary, nc. Never felt it operated correctly, would lurch forward very violently and braking was difficult. In early feb 2015 while driving at 30-35mph the car refused to move forward and was stuck on 2nd gear, pulled over and turned it off twice, but would not correct. Drove 6 miles to dealer on 2nd gear, they checked it but sent me on my way telling me that they could not duplicate it and therefore not investigate. Also, they told me that there were no other similar complaints ever made to fiat-chrysler. 2 wks later the car stalled and then just shut down in the middle of an intersection, no towing provided when I called dealership, I waited for my aaa to show up(in 16 degrees)they had the car for over 3 weeks and said they couldn't find the problem. This has continued to happen, on 2nd gear and twice when I accelerate on highway wont go past 5th gear and every time I take it in and pick it up, there are other issues, radio, bluetooth,not operating, stalling, lurking and brakes, its locked me out, there is also a very foul order from the exhaust that has been there since the day I took it home. Total days in service at hendricks 71. Filed with fiat-chrylser on advice from dealer, they said they supported the buy back, but when it came down to doing it, they refused to assist. Fiat-chrysler requested I take it back to dealer, they had it for 36 days. No one calls or communicates with me so I just show up to get an update and the dealer tells me there is nothing wrong with the car, the buy back has been refused and I need to take my car back now! When I picked up the car after 36 days it had the same miles as when I dropped it off. This was 1 week ago and I have yet to hear from fiat-chrysler regarding my request for a buyback or at least an update on their investigation.