The 2013-2017 fiat 500e charger port [the part mounted on the vehicle] is a weak plastic part that breaks easily while the vehicle is parked & being plugged/unplugged from vehicle chargers. Indications are that most break due to the action of plugging & unplugging the vehicle. It is also bolted to the body in a way that stresses the material further, causing it to break even easier. It is also mounted in a poorly conceived position that leaves it susceptible to damage by other vehicles, passing pedestrians & bicyclists, hard to plug/unplug charge units, & more. Broken connectors cause wire harness damage which can lead to electrical shorts, fires [including battery pack fires], & electrocution. Without even inspecting the involved vehicle chrysler/fiat refuses to repair them under warranty, & instead dealers are quoting $1800-$4000 [depending on location] to replace the entire harness, not just the broken connector body, which ahs LED many owners to ignore the problem or try 'creative' ways of getting by, like glues.
The worst 2015 Fiat 500E problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Electrical8
- Fuel system4
- Engine2
- Airbags1
- Transmission1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Electrical8
- Fuel system4
- Engine2
- Airbags1
- Transmission1
- Visibility1
Recalls 2
Electrical system: propulsion system: traction battery
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Fiat 500e vehicles manufactured March 22, 2012, to January 29, 2016. The power inverter module (PIM) may experience voltage spikes which can cause the propulsion system to shut down and loss of motive power.
- Risk
- Loss of motive power can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the PIM software, free of charge. The recall began on July 5, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S26.
Recall number 16V303000 · Recall details
Electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery
- What is wrong
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Fiat 500 EV vehicles manufactured March 27, 2012, to November 1, 2014. If the vehicle goes in to limp home mode, incompatible software between Electric Vehicle Control Unit (EVCU) and Battery Pack Control Module (BPCM) may cause the electric propulsion system to fully shut down.
- Risk
- An electric propulsion system shut down will cause a stall-like condition, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle software to ensure compatability between components, free of charge. The recall began on May 21, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R15.
Recall number 15V179000 · Recall details
See all 2 recalls for the 2015 Fiat 500E
Defect investigations
Pedestrian alert sounds
the federal safety agency received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, the federal safety agency opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified the federal safety agency he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by the federal safety agency regarding the subject matter of the petition.
DP22005
Technical service bulletins for the 2015 Fiat 500E 92
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Start Stop Charging Warning Lamp Illuminated On, Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS) State of Charge (SOC)...
- Lifter
- Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar Connector Repair...
- Warranty Bulletin D-16-03
- FCA Caribbean Warranty Bulletin ID-23-20 "Can / Am" Warranty Coverage
- Lubrication and Maintenance Fluids If MOPAR fluids and chemicals are not readily available, please review...
- Water Quality When Mixed With Engine Coolant
- WiTECH Small Leak Verification Test (SLVT)
- Approved Use of Weld Through Primers This bulletin documents the FCA US LLC position regarding the use of...
- If a Mopar oil filter is not available, use a filter that meets or exceeds USCAR36 specification and is...
What 2015 Fiat 500E owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
My sunroof exploded while driving on the freeway. As I was driving (with sunroof closed), a loud "boom" sounded. My first thought was something hit me. But I quickly realized my sunroof exploded. Cars behind me scattered as glass flew all over the freeway. This explosion was quite jarring, and under different circumstances, this could have caused an accident. Fortunately, that didn't happen. I contacted fiat chrysler, but they will not claim fault. Sunroofs don't explode. And if they do, it has to be a manufacturing flaw. Fiat chrysler needs to be held accountable for this before an incident like this causes some one to get hurt.
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 fiat 500e. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 16v303000 (electrical system). The part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact did not have access to a dealer to perform the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Faulty charger (electric car) causing power outlet to melt - fire hazard. Charger rated for 12a, outlet rated for 20a but it still melted it. Suspect bad electirical connection in charger plug resulting in heating of metal contact.
Vehicle will not start following a evening charge. 12 volt system drains and charging system does not function. Following morning vehicle is not movable and key will not be removable. You can try jumping the 12 volt system, but does not always work. If vehicle becomes functional you will get a host of error messages including propulsion system error requiring a return to dealership. Chrysler/fiat is aware of the problem and suggest to plug the vehicle in as normal and add a trickle charger under the hood to the 12 volt system!!! This problem occurs at least once/week and fiat does not have a solution. Filed a complaint with customer care which agreed to do a software fix, but instead closed the order without contacting us and said they did not have a fix. Vehicle is stationary at the time of failure, but if it does recover, error messages will suggest returning the vehicle to a authorized service center. We are concerned that something will fail during motion. Attached is the last service record indicating chrysler/fiat is aware of the problem as well as the suggestion to add an additional charger to maintain the 12 volt system. Vehicle was towed again this morning due to same failure.
Received a r20 safety recall notice for my 2015 fiat 500e regarding a problem with the evcu (electirc vehicle control unit) that may set a diagnostic trouble cod (dtc) that can result in a shift to neutral condition. This could cause a loss of motor power, increasing the risk of a crash. I called premier fiat of fremont 7 times over the course of 1-2 months and was never able to reach anyone in their service department to schedule an appointment. I left a message each time noting the safety recall, but still no response. I am disappointed that a great sales experience was followed by a seriously unreliable service experience. Looks like I'll have to drive into the dealership unannounced at this point because phone calls to schedule an appointment apparently doesn't work here...and safety is at stake.
On february 5, 2015 at 8:40 a.m. While driving south in the high speed lane at 55 MPH on highway 101 from san rafael to san francisco, there was a total and catastrophic electrical failure and resulting zero motor power of my fiat 500e. I was able to coast the car to the shoulder area crossing four lanes of traffic. A fiat repair technician coincidentally appeared on the scene and offered assistance. I indicated I was unwilling to drive the car any further. He instead drove the fiat 500e and I drove his gasoline fiat to the dealer in san francisco for repair. Dealership inspection and diagnosis indicated defective evcu. Dealer replaced evcu. On march 19, 2015 - evcu failure again; unable to change gears from park to drive with "not ready" and already in desired gear messages. Dealership discovered no fault code using scan tool. On may 26, 2015 service propulsion system warning light illuminated indicating malfunction with propulsion system. Dealership inspection revealed "code indicating battery positive circuit high resistance at b+ terminal and positive battery post at 0.11 v ok test fused b+ with test light; test pim case ground high resistance from pim case to battery ground; fault occurred once in snapshot data. Pim software update available and symptom/condition can cause problem; reprogram power inverter module to latest software." on june 23, 2015 r20 safety recall" and red plugged in indicator illustrated malfunction/interruption during vehicle charging process vehicle unable to charge to prior optimum level. Car brought to burlingame fiat dealership for flash evcu reprogramming/ updated software. On july 17, 2015 - service propulsion system warning light again appeared; unable to change gears; display indicated already in desired gear. On august 16, 2015 - already in desired gear; unable to change gears
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 fiat 500e. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the contact's vehicle was involved in a head on collision with another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained neck and chest injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to geico collision center. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 600.
3 days after driving my new fiat 500e which I am leasing , I began to notice extremely uncomfortable physical sensations. The only thing I can compare it to is taking on an old cellphone for a long period of time. It's a similar kind of feeling of power and radiation. I have taken at least 10 people for rides in the car. 3 of them report similar sensations, without being prompted in any way while some are not aware of the the radiation. Effects/symptoms (partial list ) : head ache, tingling on face and around ears ,pressure feeling in ears, pressure feeling in center of chest, foggy feeling in head, which continues for 15 to 60 minutes after driving. Notes: I have tested myself sitting in the car without it turned on for 30 minutes. There are no negative effects whatsoever. The symptoms are worse when: 1) the air conditioner is turned on 2) more acceleration is used, using more power. These are not due to the feeling of the air, or g force from acceleration. I have made sure to rule out both of these factors. I have stopped driving the car because it is not safe for me to drive. It had been tested as "normal" by fiat mechanics. There is nothing at all normal about this and something has to be done.
Car suddenly lost power without warning and stalled in middle of road and had to be pushed to the side. Car was only 3 weeks old. Fiat chrysler has known about defect for years but choose to hide defect instead of recall/fixing. They did recall only after dumping hundreds in a group lease suspiciously days/week just before notifying the federal safety agency/dot of defect and problems. I've had the "fix" done and it didn't work !
Compare the 2015 Fiat 500E
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Questions about the 2015 Fiat 500E
Is the 2015 Fiat 500E reliable?
Owners have filed 11 complaints about the 2015 Fiat 500E, fewer than a typical 500E model year.
What is the 2015 Fiat 500E year score?
The 2015 Fiat 500E scores 80 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Fiat 500E: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2015 Fiat 500E?
Electrical system, with 8 complaints, typically around 1,700 miles. Next is fuel system (4).
How many recalls does the 2015 Fiat 500E have?
2 recalls, covering electrical system.
Was there a recall on the 2015 Fiat 500E electrical?
Yes, 2 recalls: 16V303000, 15V179000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
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