Fiat 500E problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
52 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
4,900 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2013 to 2025 model years. Data snapshot: . 39 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 31 of 52 complaints (59.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 15 | 28.8% |
| Engine operation | 7 | 13.5% |
| Braking behavior | 7 | 13.5% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 3.8% |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 31 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 13 |
| Power Train | 7 |
| Unknown Or Other | 7 |
| Engine | 6 |
| Air Bags | 3 |
| Structure:Body | 3 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 2 |
Electrical System: 31; Fuel/Propulsion System: 13; Power Train: 7; Unknown Or Other: 7; Engine: 6; Air Bags: 3; Structure:Body: 3; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 35 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 35; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 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 (35). 13 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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 11 |
| 2015 | 17 |
| 2016 | 8 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2025 | 5 |
2013: 2; 2014: 11; 2015: 17; 2016: 8; 2017: 2; 2018: 3; 2019: 2; 2023: 2; 2025: 5
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 15 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 7 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 7 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 10633337 · 2014-09-15 (September 15, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FIAT 500E. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SENSOR BEGAN FLASHING AND REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE SENSOR ILLUMINATED WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS FULLY CHARGED, HALFWAY CHARGED, OR LOW. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE LOCAL AUTHORIZED DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, BUT NO REMEDY WAS PROVIDED. THE CONTACT WAS LATER INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V235000 (ENGINE). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR MONTHS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIE…
Owner-reported narrative. 150 miles reported. Look up ODI 10633337 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10651956 · 2014-11-02 (November 2, 2014)
THIS IS A FOLLOW UP TO MY FIRST COMPLAINT, FILED ON 07/01/14. ON 08/16/14 MY FIAT WAS TOWED FOR THE 3RD TIME TO CONCORD OF FIAT. THE FIRST TIME THE POWER INVERTER MODULE WAS REPLACED (RECALL), THE SECOND TIME THE BODY CONTROL MODULE WAS REPLACED, THE THIRD TIME THE POWER INVERTER MODULE (RECALL) WAS REPLACED, FOR THE SECOND TIME. I HAVE CONTACTED THE CHRYSLER ARBITRATION DEPARTMENT. I WILL BE SEEKING DAMAGES UNDER CIVIL CODE SECTION 1790. FURTHER, UNDER THE CA "LEMON LAW" GUIDE (1): "THE SAME PROBLEM RESULTS IN A CONDITION THAT IS LIKELY …
Owner-reported narrative. 3,111 miles reported. Look up ODI 10651956 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10620706 · 2014-08-07 (August 7, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FIAT 500E. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND LOST POWER ON FOUR OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE ABS AND THE ESC WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10620706 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10622095 · 2014-08-13 (August 13, 2014)
FIAT INITIATED RECALL LETTER WAS RECEIVED JULY 10TH. LETTER STATED TO CONTACT THE DEALER FOR REPLACEMENT PARTS AFTER JULY 21ST. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AUGUST 13TH AND THERE IS NO ESTIMATED TIME FOR WHEN THE DEFECT WILL BE FIXED. THE DEFECT CAN CAUSE SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND RESULT IN SEVER ACCIDENTS. I FIND IT NEGLIGENT OF FIAT/CHRYSLER BEING UNABLE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM IN A TIMELY MANNER RISKING THE SAFETY OF ITS CUSTOMERS! *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10622095 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10556215 · 2013-12-16 (December 16, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FIAT 500E. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, HE FELT AN EXCESSIVE VIBRATION IN THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME EXTREMELY SENSITIVE WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO DECELERATE EXCESSIVELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THERE WAS A COMMUNICATION ISSUE WITH THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,435.
Owner-reported narrative. 2,435 miles reported. Look up ODI 10556215 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10562971 · 2014-02-04 (February 4, 2014)
THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH "AUTO-PARK". IF THE DRIVER'S DOOR IS OPENED AND SEAT BELT UNBUCKLED IT AUTOMATICALLY ENGAGES PARK. SEEMS LIKE A GOOD IDEA, EXCEPT: IT DOES THIS ALSO IF THE KEY IS TURNED OFF-- WHILE STILL MOVING!!!!! OR IF ROLLING BACK OR FORWARD SLIGHTLY ON AN INCLINE AS I ENGAGE THE PARKING BRAKE TO BEGIN TO LEAVE VEHICLE TO ATTEND TO A GATE ON MY HILLY DRIVEWAY. THIS OCCURS SO SUDDENLY IT CAN LAUNCH OCCUPANTS FORWARD INTO THE INSTRUMENT PANEL! (MY WIFE AND I TYPICALLY DO NOT RE-BELT TO MOVE 15 FEET TO CLOSE THE GATE). ACCORDING …
Owner-reported narrative. 2,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10562971 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10700685 · 2015-03-20 (March 20, 2015)
SUDDEN TOTAL LOSS OF POWER TO THE WHEELS. THE CAR BEEPED AND DISPLAYED THE MESSAGE "SERVICE PROPULSION SYSTEM" ON THE SCREEN. BRAKES AND STEERING WERE STILL OPERATIONAL. THIS HAPPENED AFTER THE P23 RECALL SERVICE WAS PERFORMED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 6,835 miles reported. Look up ODI 10700685 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11703369 · 2025-12-05 (December 5, 2025)
The vehicle has stalled twice while driving on a fully charged battery. I was using the 1-pedal driving mode (“Range” mode) during both events. When the stall happened, the system applied the brakes and the steering wheel locked, and I was unable to steer. I was able to restart the car after a few seconds each time. The first stall occurred in town at about 35 mph on a busy road. The second occurred at 70 mph on the freeway shortly after leaving Rairdon’s Fiat in Kirkland, WA, where I had been told the car was repaired. Both events created a s…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11703369 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2013: 4; 2014: 3; 2015: 2; 2016: 1; 2024: 2; 2025: 1