2015 Fiat 500L problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
23 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
20,696 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2015 model year. Data snapshot: . 21 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 23 complaints (21.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 13.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 13.0% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 8.7% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 4.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 5 |
| Power Train | 5 |
| Unknown Or Other | 4 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Steering | 2 |
| Back Over Prevention: Camera System | 1 |
Air Bags: 5; Power Train: 5; Unknown Or Other: 4; Electrical System: 3; Engine: 2; Service Brakes: 2; Steering: 2; Back Over Prevention: Camera System: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 13 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 13; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 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 (13). 2 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 |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 6 |
| 2016 | 7 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 |
2015: 6; 2016: 7; 2018: 3; 2019: 4; 2020: 2; 2022: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 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 10872990 · 2016-06-07 (June 7, 2016)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 9,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10872990 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11128331 · 2018-09-09 (September 9, 2018)
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, SHORTL…
Owner-reported narrative. 52,175 miles reported. Look up ODI 11128331 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10846161 · 2016-03-11 (March 11, 2016)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 20,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10846161 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10872988 · 2016-06-07 (June 7, 2016)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10872988 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10787792 · 2015-11-02 (November 2, 2015)
THE FIAT 500L WAS PARKED WITH THE HAND BRAKE UP (6 SPEED). THE BRAKE FAILED AND THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10787792 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10872989 · 2016-06-07 (June 7, 2016)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 11,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10872989 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11307410 · 2020-02-06 (February 6, 2020)
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 HAN…
Owner-reported narrative. 51,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 11307410 at NHTSA ↗