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2016 Fiat 500X transmission problems

50 complaints (32% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 39,000.

owner complaints
50
of this car's complaints
32%
typical mileage
39,000
crashes
0
recalls
1

Which part fails

  • Transfer case (4-wheel drive)
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Fiat 500X transmission problems in other years

2016201720182019

Specific symptoms reported on the 2016 Fiat 500X transmission

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Jerking 10

Related recalls

Power train: automatic transmissionReported July 12, 2016 · 329,540 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Jeep Cherokee and 2015 Chrysler 200, Jeep Renegade, RAM ProMaster, and 2016 Fiat 500X vehicles equipped with 9-speed automatic transmissions. The transmission sensor clusters may have insufficient crimps in the transmission wire harness, and as a result, the transmission may unexpectedly shift to neutral. On August 29, 2016 Chrysler added the 2016 Fiat 500X vehicles to this recall.
Risk
If the vehicle unexpectedly shifts to neutral, there is an increased risk of a crash.
Remedy
Chrysler will notify owners, dealers will reprogram the Powertrain Control Module and the Transmission Control Module and if necessary replace the transaxle range sensor wire harness, free of charge. The recall began on November 7, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S55.

Recall number 16V529000 · Recall details

What 2016 Fiat 500X owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed May 11, 2026 · Electrical, Fuel system · NC

I was driving vehicle and it all of a sudden get stuck in gear in either park gear or some other gear that wont allow me to turn engine off. Sometimes it just slow down to a stop and will not go into gear again for a while or appears the gears are not engaging putting me at risk for accident on highway. Once it slowed down in traffic and I nearly got hit trying to drive it off the highway. The gears were not engaging putting me at risk of many vehicles hitting me. I was praying someone noticed I had car trouble to slow down as I was no longer in full control of vehicle. After some

Filed Jan 12, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · 144,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2016 Fiat 500X. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission unintendedly shifted from drive(D) to neutral(N). The RPM became elevated; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. While driving approximately 15 - 20 MPH, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. While in LIMP Mode, the contact coasted to the side of the road and waited for several minutes before continuing to drive. The failure had occurred twice. Additionally, the check engine warning light illuminated intermittently. The vehicle had been taken to a certified mechanic, who determined that the transmission had failed and needed to be rebuilt. The dealer also diagnosed that there was a failure with the instrument cluster. The instrument cluster lights were cleared; however, the transmission was not repaired. The check engine warning light remained illuminated. The contact was made aware of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 16V529000 (Power Train), for the transmission for the same year, make, and model. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 144,000.

Filed Jan 2, 2026 · Transmission · NC

Car suddenly slowed down while driving on Christmas Day. This was a very unsafe situation because I was on the highway in traffic traveling at 70 miles per hour and the car suddenly slowed down which could have resulted in an accident leading to harm. A warning light then came on to service transmission right as the car slowed down. I Tried to step on the gas pedal and it would not accelerate. There was no warning light prior to this incident. The car was towed to the dealership the next day. On the following Monday we were told the transmission needs to be completely replaced after they completed a diagnosis test. Enclosed is a pic of the invoice.

Filed Jan 6, 2025 · Electrical, Transmission · 73,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2016 Fiat 500X. The contact stated while driving 30-35 MPH, several messages stating that the 4-WD system and the drive mode selector system were not available were displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where a computer software update was performed, per the manufacturer's recommendation; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the failure recurred upon starting the vehicle. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 73,000.

Filed Dec 12, 2024 · Electrical, Transmission · WI

While driving, the vehicle will randomly shift to Neutral with a message appearing about shifting gears. When this happens I cannot accelerate or brake, and cannot shift gears. The only way to get the car to operate properly again is to turn the engine off and back on. Suddenly losing the ability to drive the car while on the road like this is definitely a safety risk, to me and other drivers. This has happened on three separate occasions for me. I took it to a dealership that was unable to diagnose it as they could not replicate the issue themselves during a test drive. It appears to be the same issue that is described in recall S55. However, even though my car is listed in the recall, I was told my specific VIN is not included. The dealership says there is nothing they can do.

Filed Sep 24, 2024 · Electrical, Transmission · KS

Driving on the highway approximately 55 MPH and the vehicle went automatically went into neutral thankfully I was able to pull off to the shoulder. I put it in park and shut the vehicle off and turned it back on again, when I shifted into drive it felt like somebody just picked up the car and dropped it. This has been an ongoing issue. Dealerships don’t know what it is. I’ve done research on this specific vehicle from other owners and they have been experiencing the same thing with this make and model of vehicle

Filed Jul 19, 2024 · Transmission · 104,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2016 Fiat 500X. The contact stated that on two occasions while driving approximately 75 MPH, the gear disengaged, and the transmission unexpectedly shifted into neutral. The vehicle was taken to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.

Filed Apr 6, 2024 · Transmission · ME

My car spontaneously shifts from driving to neutral while I am actively driving it. This has happened at least a half dozen times so far. Each time this has happened I cannot get my car to continue driving, since it’s shifted to neutral all by itself and stuck there. I have to come to a complete stop, put my car in park, turn the engine off, and then turn it back on again. This has happened for the last year and is happening more and more frequently. The latest incident was 4/1/2024. I talked to the Fiat dealership and they said it looks like my car should have been included in a Transmission issue recall that was assigned to 2016 Fiat 500X cars, but for some reason it wasn’t assigned to my specific VIN.

Filed Feb 11, 2024 · Transmission · MA

There’s a recall on this specific year make and model and my powertrain is doing the exactly malfunction that’s states for the recall.

Filed Jul 11, 2023 · Suspension, Transmission · MA

Unknown

Questions about the 2016 Fiat 500X transmission

Does the 2016 Fiat 500X have transmission problems?

Owners have filed 50 complaints about the transmission of the 2016 Fiat 500X, 32% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2016 Fiat 500X transmission problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 39,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2016 Fiat 500X transmission?

Yes, 1 recall: 16V529000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

Other 2016 Fiat 500X problems

Engine 52Electrical 48Lights 14Driver assistance 13Acceleration 10Steering 8Body 7Brakes 6Fuel system 6Airbags 5Suspension 4Seat belts 2Tires 1Wheels 1

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