FIAT 500L Reliability by Year
Best & Worst Years, Problems & Recalls — NHTSA Data
Comparing used FIAT 500L options? We analyzed 7 model years (2014–2020) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
Model-year trends show patterns. Run a VIN check for the exact FIAT 500L you plan to buy.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the FIAT 500L has 208 owner complaints and 5 safety recalls across model years 2014–2020. The most reported issue area is POWER TRAIN. 2014 drew the most complaints; 2015 drew the fewest.
- Make
- FIAT
- Model
- 500L
- Model years analyzed
- 2014–2020 (7 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 208
- Safety recall campaigns
- 5
- Crash-related complaints
- 5
- Fire-related complaints
- 5
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2014 (182 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2015 (23 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- POWER TRAIN
- Reliability signal
- Poor
FIAT 500L: Which Years to Avoid & Which to Buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
⭐ NHTSA NCAP Crash Test Ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
PoorThe FIAT 500L has 208 NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls on record. 5 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 208 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 5 federal recall campaigns
- 5 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
🔔 NHTSA Safety Recalls
5 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2014–2020. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
🔧 Most-Reported Problem Areas
Based on component keywords extracted from all 208 NHTSA complaints.
📋 NHTSA Complaint Reports
208 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
When you start up the car for the first time and began to drive it won't shift out of first gear for several blocks. The transmission strains to shift into 2nd. The transmission overall takes a while to get up to speed on the the expressways, it's hard to enter at the prevailing speed. Also, the check engine light won't go off. Even after 4 times ($2,000) to a service garage. There are no Fiat services facilities in my area. Not even the dealer where I purchased it will work on it.
THE ISSUE LOOKS SIMILAR TO FIAT 500L 2014 RECALL FOR TRANSMISSION SOFTWARE. THE PROBLEM HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING FOR THE FIRST TIME OF THE DAY. THE AUTOMATIC GEAR DOESN'T SHIFTS EVEN IF THE SPEED GOES HIGHER. IT TAKE ALMOST A MILE OR 2 FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. I HAVE REQUESTED FOR AN SERVICE APPOINTMENT AT LOCAL FIAT DEALER, BUT I THOUGHT OF REPORTING THE PROBLEM AT NHTSA TOO, IF IN CASE IT IS NOT AN INDIVIDUAL COMPLAINT.
While driving not able to accelerate , loss of power and check engine light . By turning the engine off sometimes resets and sometimes doesn't.
Vehicle randomly stuck in park and will not move in reverse or drive, at one point was in drive and moving while saying gear not available. All the complaints of the 2014 models and mine was manufactured in 2014 but labeled a 2015. Fiat is quoting the repair at 3000- to over 10k while second opinion transmission specialist says there is no fix and it's a manufacturer computer defect only temporarily fixed with a new transmission.
I JUST PURCHASED THE 2015 FIAT 500 L . I JUST HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR 5 MONTHS AND I HAVE NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. 1ST THE OIL RING NEED TO BE REPLACED, THEN MY FRONT CHARGER NOT WORK AND THEN IS PROGRESS TO LED REAR PASSENGER TAIL LIGHT WENT OUT AND NOW IS THE AIRBAG SERVICE LIGHT IS ON. RADIO KEEP GOING IN AND OUT AND THE BLUETOOTH IS NOT WORKING.
THE STEERING HANGS OR STICKS. IT STARTED A COUPLE YEARS AGO AND WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED. I WAS TOLD IT DOES THAT. IT STARTED DOING THIS AROUND 50 TO 70 WHEN FIRST NOTICED AND NOW DOES IT AT ALL SPEEDS. WHEN IT FIRST STARTED IT WOULD COME AND GO AWAY SLIGHTLY BUT NEVER COMPLETELY. NOW IT IS ALL THE TIME AND ANY SPEED. AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IT MAKES THE VEHICLE STEER SLIGHTLY FROM SIDE TO SIDE IN THE LANE SINCE YOU CAN'T MAKE SLIGHT STEERING CORRECTIONS. WHEN TRYING TO MAKE STEERING CORRECTIONS THE STEERING WILL STICK OR HANG AND THEN RELEASE ABRUPTLY CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO MOVE SLIGHTLY BACK AND FORTH IN THE LANE. AT TIMES IT IS BAD ENOUGH TO RESEMBLE A VERY DRUNK DRIVER OVER CORRECTING. IT IS BAD ENOUGH THAT WE DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND IT ONLY HAS 30,000 MILES ON IT. IT'S A SHAME FIAT/CHRYSLER WON'T ACKNOWLEDGE THERE IS A PROBLEM. WE HAVE HAD A FEW CLOSE CALLS BUT NO ACCIDENT YET DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. ALSO THE PROBLEM WILL OCCUR ANYWHERE AT ANY SPEED EXCEPT TURNING. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN MOSTLY WHEN GOING STRAIGHT. WHEN IN A TURN AS LONG AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS IN MOTION IT DOESN'T HANG BUT IF IT STOPS AND YOU START TO TURN FURTHER OR GO BACK IT WILL HANG AGAIN. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS BEFORE SOMEONE DOES GET HURT.
MY CAR'S GEAR SHIFT WAS STUCK IN PARK. IT WOULD NOT BUDGE. SOMETIMES I SMELL AN ODOR LIKE SOMETHING BURNING.
CAR ONLY HAS 6,000 MILES AND IT HAS A FAULTY OCCUPANT RESTRAINT MODULE THAT CAUSES AIR BAG WARNING TO COME ON IT'S BEEN COMING ON AND OFF FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS AND MADE APPOINTMENT TO GET IT CHECKED ON 8/12/19 AND THEY FOUND PROBLEM 8/16/19 AND OF COURSE WARRANTY RAN OUT 8/1/19
I HAVE OWNED THREE OF THESE 2014-2015 FIAT 500L'S ALL THREE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE SUN VISORS NOT STAYING UP NOR FORWARD. THEY WILL RANDOMLY DROP WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING BLOCKING THE VIEW THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. IN EACH CASE THE PROBLEMS WERE ON VEHICLES WITH UNDER 40K MILES AND AS LOW AS 27K MILES. THIS WOULD USUALLY HAPPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION BUT ALSO HAPPENED AT TIMES WHILE SITTING AT A RED LIGHT WAITING FOR IT TO CHANGE.
SUMMARY FACTS: JANUARY 15, 2019 - TRAVELING IN A STATE ADJACENT TO WHERE THE FIAT WAS PURCHASED. TRAFFIC WAS AT A VIRTUAL STAND STILL AND AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, AFTER ABOUT 20 MINUTES DRIVING, WHITE SMOKE WAS EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE AREA. THERE WAS A DISTINCT BURNING SMELL, LIKE ELECTRICAL WIRING BURNING. THE AIR CONDITIONING WAS ON; WHEN THE WHITE SMOKE AND BURNING SMELL WAS OBSERVED, THE A/C WAS TURNED OFF AND THE BURNING AND SMOKE CEASED. BESIDES THE DRIVER, A PASSENGER IN THE FIAT OBSERVED THE WHITE SMOKE AND EXPERIENCED THE BURNING SMELL AS WELL. THE DEALER THAT SOLD THE FIAT AND WHERE THE FIAT HAS BEEN SERVICED WAS CALLED. THEIR ADVICE WAS TO EXIT THE MOTORWAY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND CALL THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT TO ENSURE THERE WAS NOT AN ONGOING ELECTRICAL FIRE WHICH MIGHT CAUSE THE FIAT TO EXPLODE. THE FIRST AVAILABLE EXIT WAS TAKEN AND THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT CALLED. UPON THEIR ARRIVAL, NO ELECTRICAL FIRE WAS OBSERVED; THEY ADVISED TAKING THE FIAT TO A QUALIFIED REPAIR SHOP IMMEDIATELY TO BE EXAMINED AND TESTED. LATER, THE A/C WAS TRIED, BUT DID NOT SEEM TO WORK. THE A/C WAS THEN TURNED OFF UNTIL THE FIAT WAS TAKEN TO THE FIAT DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN IN THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT SUPPOSEDLY RAN A FULL RANGE OF DIAGNOSTIC TESTS ON THE FIAT AND IN PARTICULAR THE A/C, INCLUDING TESTING ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS, AND FREON LEVELS WHICH WERE OKAY, INDICATING NO FREON LEAKS. THEY TESTED THE FUNCTIONALITY OF THE A/C; THEY INDICATED IT WAS PERFORMING AS IT SHOULD. THEREFORE, THE FIAT DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE FIAT AND COULD PROVIDE NO PLAUSIBLE EXPLANATION WHY WHITE SMOKE WAS BEING EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE AREA AND THE BURNING SMELL. THEIR ONLY ADVICE WAS TO BRING THE FIAT BACK IN FOR SERVICE SHOULD THE SAME SITUATION RE-OCCUR. THIS RAISES DOUBT ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS FIAT.
THE CHECK AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON EVERY 300-500 MILES & DISAPPEARS AFTER ABOUT 200-400 MILES. THE DEALER CANNOT FIGURE OUT THE ISSUE. WE ARE NOT SURE IF THE AIRBAG WILL PROPERLY DEPLOY IN THE INSTANCE OF AN ACCIDENT.
THE CAR IS SHOWING THE SAME SYMPTOMS DESCRIBED IN THE 2014 500L TRANSMISSION RECALL. IT WILL EITHER STAY IN THE PARKING GEAR OR HAVE SIGNIFICANT DELAYS IN SWITCHING GEARS. WE FIRST SAW THE ISSUE WITH A PARKED, COLD CAR. FIRST USE IN THE MORNING. IT WAS NEVER MOVED FROM THERE OTHER THAN BEING TOWED TO 2 DIFFERENT SHOPS. CURRENTLY THE VEHICLE IS AT A SHOP WAITING FOR A SECOND ESTIMATE FOR REPAIR. THE FIRST DIAGNOSTIC CAME FROM A FIAT DEALER FOLLOWED BY A VERBAL ESTIMATE AT MORE THAN $3900. SEE ATTACHED. THIS VEHICLE WAS BUILT ON JAN 2015, SHORTLY AFTER THE 2014 RECALLED MODELS. THE RECALL DID NOT COME OUT UNTIL 2017. COULD THESE 2015 MODELS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS THAT LED TO THE 2014 MODEL RECALL?
WHILE DRIVING AND A COUPLE OF TIME WHILE PARKED THE CHECK AIRBAG LIGHT GOES OFF. SOMETIMES THERE IS A PASSENGER THAT WEIGHS OVER THE LIMIT BUT HAS SEAT BELTS ON AT ALL TIMES. THIS WEEK ALONE HAPPENED 3 TIMES WITH ONLY THE DRIVER DEALER CANNOT FIND PROBLEM. THEY HAVE IT AGAIN FOR 3RD TIME.
MY FIAT HAS NEARLY 5300 MILES, THE ENGINE STARTED TO EMIT A LOT OF WHITE SMOKE WHILE I WAS IN PARK AND HAD DRIVEN IT APPROXIMATE 15 MILES. I TURNED THE IGNITION OFF FOR 15 MINUTES, RESTARTED AND THE SMOKE AGAIN STARTED COMING OUT NEAR THE RADIATOR. ALSO THE AIR CONDITION STOPPED BLOWING COLD AIR. I HAVE GOT IT AT THE DEALERSHIP. HOPEFULLY THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FIAT 500L. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE RPMS INCREASED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE CONTACT OBSERVED AN ABNORMAL GRINDING NOISE UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 23,500.
HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY AT AROUND 5000 MILES. IT WOULD NOT HOLD CHARGE AND BE RANDOMLY DEAD USUALLY AFTER NOT USING CAR FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS. I REPLACED THE BATTERY WITH A TOP NAME BRAND AND HAVEN'T HAD AN ISSUE SINCE. I NOTICED WHEN I WAS LOOKING TO BUY EVERY FIAT 500L THAT THE DEALER WAS GOING LET ME TAKE A TEST DRIVE IN HAD TO BE JUMP STARTED.
HAVING PROBLEM WITH FRONT BRAKE SHUDDER AFTER ONLY 11,000 MILES. WILL PROBABLY REPLACE THEM MYSELF WITH SLOTTED AND DRILLED ROTORS TO DISSIPATE HEAT. WISH THEY WOULD RECALL AND FIX ALL THE ROTORS.
HAVE THE 6 SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND SEVERAL TIMES IT HAS LOCKED IN THE PARK POSITION AND COULD NOT DISENGAGE TO ANY OTHER SELECTION. LEARNED THERE WAS A CAP NEAR THE SHIFT LEVER TO UNLOCK. SO FAR THIS HAS WORKED BUT STILL A PAIN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 (NA) FIAT 500L. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LACK OF ACCELERATION. THE TTMS AND ELECTRICAL THROTTLE BODY WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE STILL DID NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A SOFTWARE UPDATE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,800. UPDATED 05/06/16*LJ *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 (NA) FIAT 500L. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,696. ## VIN PASSED ## FIAT 500L 2014 ## UPDATED 04/08/16*LJ THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE SOLD THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 04/13/16.*JB
Showing 20 of 208 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Before You Buy, Check the Exact FIAT 500L
These pages show model-year patterns across 7years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
📖 Understanding This Data
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The FIAT 500L has 208 complaints on record across 7 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The FIAT 500L has 5 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 5 of the FIAT 500L's 208 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Poor) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all FIAT 500L vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two FIAT 500L vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The FIAT 500L has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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