2013 Fiat 500: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict
Shopping for a used 2013 Fiat 500? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Current data includes 163 complaints, with Transmission / Drivetrain as the top reported area.
2013 Fiat 500 Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated energy efficiency for the 2013 Fiat 500. Values shown in MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent).
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 5 trims analysed.
2013 Fiat 500 Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star ProgramOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
14.7% rollover risk
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
14.7% probability
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2013 Fiat 500 has 163 owner complaints, 9 crash-related complaints, and 4 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Transmission / Drivetrain. NHTSA reliability signal: Severe Issues.
- Make
- Fiat
- Model
- 500
- Model year
- 2013
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 163
- Crash-related complaints
- 9
- Safety recall campaigns
- 4
- Top reported component
- Transmission / Drivetrain
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPGe combined
- 30
- EPA MPGe city / highway
- 28 / 33
- Fuel type
- Premium Gasoline
- Electric range (miles)
- 87
- NHTSA overall safety rating
- 4/5 stars
- NHTSA frontal crash rating
- 4/5 stars
- NHTSA side crash rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA rollover rating
- 4/5 stars
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
Most Common 2013 Fiat 500 Problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Transmission / Drivetrain
Engine Problems
Uncategorized Issues
Complaint patterns center on Transmission / Drivetrain, Engine Problems, Uncategorized Issues. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Should You Buy a Used 2013 Fiat 500?
The 2013 Fiat 500 shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
What to Check Before Buying a Used 2013 Fiat 500
Inspection Focus
- Have a mechanic inspect the transmission/drivetrain for any signs of wear or failure.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls, especially for transmission and airbag systems.
- Request service records for transmission, engine, and electrical repairs.
- Test drive the vehicle to check for transmission slipping, hesitation, or unusual noises.
Before You Close the Deal
- Have a mechanic inspect the transmission/drivetrain for any signs of wear or failure.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls, especially for transmission and airbag systems.
- Request service records for transmission, engine, and electrical repairs.
- Test drive the vehicle to check for transmission slipping, hesitation, or unusual noises.
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2013 Fiat 500, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Complaints for the 2013 FIAT 500 are heavily concentrated in the transmission/drivetrain, with 77 reports. Engine problems and electrical faults also appear frequently. Crash-related complaints are few (9), but the overall confidence in this data is low due to limited model years and sample size.
- Transmission/drivetrain complaints dominate, accounting for nearly half of all reports.
- Engine problems (22) and electrical faults (17) are the next most common issues.
- Only 9 crash-related complaints were reported, suggesting limited safety-related incidents in the data.
- Transmission / Drivetrain: 77 complaints, the most reported component.
- Engine Problems: 22 complaints, indicating potential reliability issues.
- Electrical Faults: 17 complaints, including possible wiring or system failures.
All 2013 Fiat 500 Complaints by Category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2013 Fiat 500. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 77 | 1 | 2 | — | |
| Engine Problems | 22 | — | 1 | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 18 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 17 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 12 | 1 | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 10 | 7 | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 10 | 3 | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 9 | — | — | — | |
| Brake System | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Real Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2013 Fiat 500. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
While driving 40mph, pressed clutch and the transmission would not shift into gear. Car began to slow in traffic ans I was unable to accelerate as the clutch would not engage a gear. Mamaged to sagely get iff road. No fluid leaks found. Would shift into gear with car off. Gear se…
In June 2025, while driving my 2013 Fiat Abarth at highway speed, the vehicle suddenly stalled without warning. This happened on one of the hottest days of the year with another person in the car, creating a serious risk of a high-speed collision. The cause was later confirmed b…
Dear NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, I am filing this formal complaint to report the sale and interstate delivery of a dangerously defective and noncompliant vehicle sold to me by Arlington Auto Group, located at 3621 Columbia Pike, Arlington, Virginia. On [XXX], I purch…
2013 FIAT 500 - Manual Transmission. The clutch cover diaphragm spring on the vehicle has fatigue and/or fracture. A failed clutch cover diaphragm spring has resulted in the inability to disengage the clutch, or shift gears. There is an inability to disengage the clutch, shift ge…
The contact owns a 2013 Fiat 500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V302000 (POWER TRAIN); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonab…
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 cont…
The contact owns a 2013 Fiat 500. The contact stated that while reversing, the vehicle failed to shift into park after stopping. While shifting into gear, the vehicle failed to move after the gear selector was placed in the desired gear. There were no warning lights illuminated. …
The contact's daughter owns a 2013 Fiat 500. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the convertible sunroof retractor failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the convertible sunroof failed to close as needed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mecha…
Manual Transaxle Clutch Pedal
The contact owns a 2013 Fiat 500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V302000(Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated…
The contact owns a 2013 Fiat 500. The contact stated that upon shifting the vehicle into drive, the RPMs increased, but the vehicle failed to move, and had lost motive power. The contact shifted the vehicle to manual mode, and manually shifted the transmission into first gear and…
The contact owns a 2013 Fiat 500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V302000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the accelerator pedal, the RPM …
The car is difficult to accelerate and makes a loud hum over 50. It wont shift into reverse. It is confirmed that it is a transmission issue and the whole thing has to be replaced. I found on a mechanic's site that there is an open recall S34 however my VIN is not included despit…
On Sept. 5, 2023 I took our Fiat 500 2013 model c in for air condition repair to Winter Haven Fiat service Dept. After I brought it home on Sept. 8th it started making strange noise, so i took it to local auto repair. They advised me that it was a clutch problem. I called Fiat se…
The contact owns a 2013 Fiat 500 Abarth equipped with a Madness Autoworks Fiat 500 Short Shifter Kit/Adjustable/Madness. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH and attempting to shift the gear shifter, the vehicle was not responding. The shifter began to move i…
Real main seal leak Valve cover leak Vacuum pump leak Leaks went on to the starter and caused the starter to fail
While driving down the highway, I noticed my engine began to shake violently and began to make a strong knocking noise. The check engine light then illuminated and started blinking, indicating a serious problem. I immediately attempted to pull over because the car was no longer s…
The clutch pedal sticks to the floor and won't let me shift gears. There is a recall already but for some reason my car is not included the no.16v302000 please help if possible to get my car added to this recall thanks [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFOR…
The contact owns a 2013 Fiat 500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V302000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceed…
I stepped out of my car and shut my door by accident with my keys still in the car and all the doors locked on my car and locked me out. This is not a normal thing. My keys, my phone, and my purse were all in the car I am very thankful a child was not in there locked in. It was v…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2013 Fiat 500.
2013 Fiat 500 Recalls
4 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2013 Fiat 500. 4 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
2013 Fiat 500 Buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2013 Fiat 500 reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 163 owner complaints, 9 crash-related complaints, and 4 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2013 Fiat 500 shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Fiat 500?▾
#1: Transmission / Drivetrain (77 complaints). #2: Engine Problems (22 complaints). #3: Uncategorized Issues (18 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2013 Fiat 500?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2013 Fiat 500?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2013 Fiat 500, NHTSA complaints include 9 crash-related reports and 2 fire reports out of 163 total complaints. 6 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2013 Fiat 500 have any recalls?▾
Yes. 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2013 Fiat 500. A major recall area is POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:FLOOR SHIFT ASSEMBLY. 4 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2013 Fiat 500?▾
The 2013 Fiat 500 shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Transmission / Drivetrain during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Fiat 500 reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2013 Fiat 500 based on your ownership experience.
Add your rating:
Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Check the Exact Vehicle History Before You Buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.