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U.S. public vehicle records

2016 Fiat 500 problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

14 owner complaints analyzed

3 distinct recall campaigns

25,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2016 model year. Data snapshot: . 11 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 14 complaints (57.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Transmission and shifting642.9%
Braking behavior428.6%
Engine operation17.1%
Electrical and battery issues17.1%
Steering behavior17.1%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Power Train
8
Electrical System
3
Engine
3
Service Brakes
3
Air Bags
2
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)
2
Unknown Or Other
2
Power Train:Clutch Assembly
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Power Train8
Electrical System3
Engine3
Service Brakes3
Air Bags2
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)2
Unknown Or Other2
Power Train:Clutch Assembly1

Power Train: 8; Electrical System: 3; Engine: 3; Service Brakes: 3; Air Bags: 2; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Power Train:Clutch Assembly: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
5
25,000 to 49,999
4
50,000 to 74,999
2
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0005
25,000 to 49,9994
50,000 to 74,9992
75,000 to 99,9990
100,000 to 149,9990
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 3 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2015
1
2016
2
2017
2
2018
2
2019
3
2020
1
2022
1
2023
1
2025
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20151
20162
20172
20182
20193
20201
20221
20231
20251

2015: 1; 2016: 2; 2017: 2; 2018: 2; 2019: 3; 2020: 1; 2022: 1; 2023: 1; 2025: 1

Pattern summary

Power Train leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 6 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10760850 · 2015-09-01 (September 1, 2015)

THE CAR STOPPED WORKING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY, STARTED TO GIVE ERROR MESSAGES AND TURNED ON ENGINE SERVICE, TRANSMISSION AND PARKING BRAKES LIGHTS. A FEW SECONDS AFTER WE JUST GOT THE MESSAGE: DRIVE MODE UNAVAILABLE AND THE CAR STOPPED. IT WAS REALLY DANGEROUS AND MY FAMILY AND I WERE IN A TERRIBLE RISK OF HAVE A PRETTY BAD ACCIDENT. WE ARE REALLY LUCKY THAT NOTHING HAPPENED TO US, WE COULD DIE THAT NIGHT.

Owner-reported narrative. 617 miles reported. Look up ODI 10760850 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10897463 · 2016-08-21 (August 21, 2016)

WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND AT FREEWAY SPEEDS THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SUSPENSION COMPLETELY SNAPPED WITH NO ACCIDENT OR ROAD DEBRIS INVOLVED. THE WHEEL TURNED SIDEWAYS AND LOST ALL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE'S ABILITY TO TURN. THE ENGINE THEN GAVE A TRANSMISSION FAILURE WARNING AND THE ENGINE CUT OUT. WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO THE SIDE LANE AND WAITED FOR TRIPLE A TO SHOW UP UNTIL 5AM. TOOK PICTURES OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WHICH WAS BASICALLY DANGLING OFF OF THE VEHICLE. IT WAS EXCEPTIONALLY DANGEROUS.

Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10897463 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11051022 · 2017-11-28 (November 28, 2017)

THE VEHICLE WAS APPROACHING A STOPLIGHT AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH AND SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHILE THE BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED, CAUSING A MINOR ACCIDENT (LITTLE DAMAGE TO BUMPERS OF BOTH VEHICLES). CAR WAS RETURNED HOME (1 MILE AWAY) WITHOUT INCIDENT. UPON MOVING THE VEHICLE IN THE DRIVEWAY LATER THAT SAME AFTERNOON, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AGAIN WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE; HAD TO ENGAGE THE PARKING BRAKE TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP. *BF *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 37,840 miles reported. Look up ODI 11051022 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11464484 · 2022-05-13 (May 13, 2022)

Passenger side drive axle failed on 2016 500e with only 35650 miles but no longer under warranty. Method of failure: Bolts holding axle to transmission sheered resulting in a loss of power. Car was brought to Orange County Chrysler for repair. Dealer informed me that there was a Chrysler Recall N51 for 2013 Fiat 500e for the same problem, but it didn't apply to my year. Numerous blogs on the internet show similar failures for newer models. A sound engineering fix should be developed and implemented as a Safety Recall.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11464484 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11052126 · 2017-12-03 (December 3, 2017)

ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS MY WIFE'S CARE HAS REFUSED TO SRMTART WITH NOW ANSWER FROM THE DEALERSHIP WHY, THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY FIAT UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY STILL SQUEAK WHEN IN REVERSE, AND LATELY IT SAYS THERE IS A TIRE SENSOR THAT IS DAMAGED OR LOW ALONG WITH DRIVE MODE UNAVAILABLE, THIS KEEPS US FROM USING THE AWD SYSTEM EFFECTIVELY, AND FIAT SAID THEY FIXED THE ISSUE ONCE BEFORE AND IT CAME BACK WITHIN THE WEEK. THE CAR HAS HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS FROM THE DAY SHE BOUGHT IT ALONG WITH MULTIPLE OCCASIONS WITH NOT STARTING AND MULTIPL…

Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11052126 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11258624 · 2019-09-27 (September 27, 2019)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FIAT 500. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE MANUAL CLUTCH FAILED AND PREVENTED THE CONTACT FROM CHANGING GEARS. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT DROVE INTO A CEMENT BARRIER TO AVOID TRAFFIC. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY, CAUSING THE CONTACT'S HEAD TO STRIKE THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT INJURED HER NECK, LEFT SHOULDER, AND LEFT FOOT. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY FAMILY MEMBERS. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CAUSE OF THE …

Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11258624 at NHTSA ↗