Head-to-head reliability
FIAT 500 vs FORD F 150
How the FIAT 500 and FORD F 150 compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
FIAT 500 vs FORD F 150: The FIAT 500 has 806 complaints over 8 years (100.8/yr) and 26 recalls, while the F-150 has 11,311 complaints over 10 years (1,131.1/yr) and 145 recalls. The F-150's transmission issues are more severe, with reports of hard shifts and loss of power. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the FIAT 500 or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
FIAT 500
The FIAT 500 is a compact city car that, in ownership terms, shows a pattern of powertrain and electrical gremlins. Owners report issues with the transmission not responding, brakes feeling slow, and electrical problems like headlight failures and warning lights. The car also has a notable issue with sunroofs exploding, which is alarming. Overall, it's a vehicle that may require frequent visits to the shop for repairs.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup that, in ownership terms, shows a high volume of complaints, particularly around its 10-speed automatic transmission. Owners describe hard shifts, jerking, and even loss of power, which can be dangerous in traffic. Electrical issues are also common, with camera and sensor malfunctions. Despite its popularity, the F-150 has a significant number of recalls and complaints, indicating potential reliability concerns.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | FIAT 500 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 806 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 26 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 48 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 100.8 Better | 1131.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 38 Better | 287 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 1 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
FIAT 500
- 01POWER TRAIN388
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM135
- 03ENGINE108
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER88
- 05AIR BAGS52
Owners report the transmission failing to respond when downshifting, with RPMs revving unexpectedly, and brakes that are slow to engage when parking. These issues can lead to a lack of control and potential accidents.
Electrical problems include headlights failing to operate and warning lights illuminating without cause. There are also reports of issues with the high voltage battery system, especially after long storage, which can leave the car inoperable.
Engine-related complaints include the car refusing to start on multiple occasions, with no explanation from the dealer. Brake squeaking and tire sensor issues are also mentioned, adding to the overall frustration.
“The contact owns a 2015 Fiat 500. The contact stated that after driving at low speeds, upon parking the vehicle, the brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle was slow to respond while stopping. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken…”
“The contact owns a 2015 Fiat 500. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH and attempting to downshift, the vehicle failed to respond as intended while the RPM continued to rev. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the gear s…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
The 10R80 automatic transmission is a major source of complaints, with owners experiencing hard and delayed shifts, jerking, clunking, and even sudden loss of power while driving. These issues can be dangerous, especially in heavy traffic.
Electrical issues include false warnings for front camera malfunction and pre-collision assist not available, which appear every time the truck is started. These can be distracting and may indicate underlying sensor or software problems.
Headlight problems are common, with recalls issued for headlights. Owners may experience dim or failing headlights, reducing visibility at night and increasing the risk of accidents.
“I started noticing hard and delayed shifts from 7th into 8th gear. My RPM's were not increasing when this happened, and then on a very crowded major road I lost all power, vehicle shut off and drifted, then started up and jerked again very hard. This failure…”
“I am reporting a safety-related transmission problem I experienced with my 2020 Ford F-150 equipped with the 10R80 automatic transmission. While driving normally, the transmission shifts hard (ie: jerks, clunks) between 4-5 and 5-6 gears, and has on occasion…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
FIAT 500 — 26 recalls
The defect: DLT, LLC. is recalling certain CravenSpeed Fiat Short Shifter shafts sold for use in 2011-2019 Fiat 500 vehicles. The Shifter Shaft may have been improperly manufactured with a through hole for the set screw rather than a blind hole, which may lead to the breakage of the Shifter Shaft.
The risk: If the shifter breaks while the vehicle is in motion, it can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: DLT has notified owners, and will provide a complete replacement shifter assembly with an updated shaft, free of charge. The recall began July 24, 2019. Owners may contact DLT customer service at 1-503-505-6886.
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Fiat 500 vehicles. The tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) warning light may not illuminate as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitori…
The risk: A TPMS warning light that fails to illuminate can result in the vehicle being driven with improperly inflated tires, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will reprogram the TPMS electronic control unit module, free of charge. Owners were mailed July 11, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 80B.
The defect: DLT, LLC. is recalling certain CravenSpeed Fiat Short Shifter shafts sold for use in 2011-2019 Fiat 500 vehicles. The Shifter Shaft may have been improperly manufactured with a through hole for the set screw rather than a blind hole, which may lead to the breakage of the Shifter Shaft.
The risk: If the shifter breaks while the vehicle is in motion, it can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: DLT has notified owners, and will provide a complete replacement shifter assembly with an updated shaft, free of charge. The recall began July 24, 2019. Owners may contact DLT customer service at 1-503-505-6886.
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Fiat 500 vehicles. The tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) warning light may not illuminate as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitori…
The risk: A TPMS warning light that fails to illuminate can result in the vehicle being driven with improperly inflated tires, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will reprogram the TPMS electronic control unit module, free of charge. Owners were mailed July 11, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 80B.
FORD F 150 — 145 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 trucks equipped with high series LED headlamps with Autolamp (On/Off) functionality. The Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) may remain activated instead of dimming to parking lamps when the Master Lighting Switch (MLS) is manually rotated from…
The risk: DRL that cannot dim may reduce the visibility of other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the body control module, free of charge. The recall began March 10, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C03.
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 F-150 vehicles. The fastener securing the Power Distribution Box (PDB) 12V cable and Battery Monitoring System (BMS) eyelets to the positive battery terminal may loosen and affect the vehicle's systems such as instrument panel displays and br…
The risk: Inoperative vehicle systems or an engine stall can increase the risk of a crash. Reduced braking and steering efforts increases the risk of a crash. This condition could also create a resistive short, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the positive battery cable/BMS/PDB joint for excess sealant adhesive and remove any excessive adhesive, reassemble the joint, and retorque the fastener, as necessary, free of charge. The re…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causin…
The risk: When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge. Once parts are available, Dealers will replace the engine block heater cable, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019. Owners may contact Ford…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 and 2019-2020 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty pickup trucks, and 2018-2019 Ford Explorer, 2019-2020 Expedition, and 2020 Escape vehicles equipped with driver and/or passenger's manual front seat back recliner mechanisms. Also…
The risk: A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's num…
Buyer analysis
FIAT 500 or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The FIAT 500 has far fewer complaints per year (100.8) compared to the Ford F-150 (1131.1), indicating a lower frequency of reported issues. However, the F-150's problems are more severe, particularly the transmission failures that can lead to loss of power. In practice, the FIAT may have fewer issues, but the F-150's issues are more critical to safety.
Key differences
- The FIAT 500 has a much lower complaint rate per year (100.8) than the F-150 (1131.1), suggesting fewer reported problems overall.
- The F-150's transmission issues are more severe, with reports of hard shifts and loss of power, while the FIAT's transmission issues are less frequent but still concerning.
- The FIAT has a unique issue with sunroofs exploding, which is not reported in the F-150.
- The F-150 has a higher number of recalls (145) compared to the FIAT (26), indicating more widespread safety campaigns.
- Check the transmission for any hesitation or failure to respond during test drive, especially when downshifting.
- Inspect the sunroof for any signs of stress or previous replacement, as there are reports of it exploding.
- Test the transmission for hard shifts or jerking, especially between 4th and 6th gears, and listen for any clunking sounds.
- Verify that all dashboard warning lights, especially those for camera and pre-collision assist, do not illuminate falsely.
Before you buy
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on the transmission and electrical systems.
- Check the vehicle's recall status and ensure all recalls have been addressed.
- Test drive at various speeds, including highway speeds, to assess transmission behavior.
- For the FIAT, ask about the sunroof and any warranty coverage; for the F-150, ask about transmission software updates.
- Review the vehicle's service history for any repeated repairs related to the top complaint areas.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | FIAT 500 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 0 | 36 |
| 2018 | 5 | 56 |
| 2017 | 13 | 43 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific FIAT 500 or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- FIAT 500 vs FORD F 150
- FIAT 500 total complaints
- 806
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- FIAT 500 total recalls
- 26
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- FIAT 500 avg complaints/year
- 100.8
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- FIAT 500
- FIAT 500 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN