Fiat 500 Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Fiat 500 model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2011 drew the fewest (1) and the 2012 the most (396).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 Among the fewest complaints |
1 | 0 | Service brakes | — | — |
| 2018 Among the fewest complaints |
5 | 1 | Seats | — | 27–30 |
| 2016 Among the fewest complaints |
14 | 3 | Power train | 4★ | 27–34 |
| 2017 | 14 | 1 | Electrical system | 4★ | 27–34 |
| 2015 | 92 | 3 | Power train | 4★ | 27–34 |
| 2014 Among the most complaints |
124 | 3 | Power train | 4★ | 29–33 |
| 2013 Among the most complaints |
165 | 3 | Power train | 4★ | 29–34 |
| 2012 Among the most complaints |
396 | 3 | Power train | 3★ | 29–32 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Fiat 500 years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2012 Fiat 500: 396 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 201 (51%); Electrical system 63 (16%); Engine 51 (13%).
Reports mention 21 crashes, 4 fires, 17 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 47,700 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.
2013 Fiat 500: 165 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 79 (48%); Engine 22 (13%); Electrical system 17 (10%).
Reports mention 9 crashes, 2 fires, 6 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 44,000 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.
2014 Fiat 500: 124 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 67 (54%); Electrical system 22 (18%); Engine 19 (15%).
Reports mention 9 crashes, 7 fires, 8 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 17,000 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.
The Fiat 500 years with the fewest complaints
2018 Fiat 500: 5 complaints
Most-reported: Seats 1 (20%); Service brakes 1 (20%); Visibility 1 (20%).
1 recall campaign listed.
2016 Fiat 500: 14 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 8 (57%); Electrical system 3 (21%); Engine 3 (21%).
Reports mention 3 crashes, 2 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 25,000 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Fiat 500 owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2017 | 14 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2016 | 14 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 25,000 |
| 2015 | 92 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 26,000 |
| 2014 | 124 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 0 | 17,000 |
| 2013 | 165 | 9 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 44,000 |
| 2012 | 396 | 21 | 4 | 17 | 0 | 47,700 |
| 2011 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Fiat 500 recalls
- Shifter Cable Bushing May Detach From Transmission (2012–2013 model years; 51,788 vehicles across all models; filed Nov 2019; 19V817000)
- Clutch Diaphragm Spring May Fracture (2012–2016 model years; 39,185 vehicles across all models; filed May 2016; 16V302000)
- TPMS Light May Not Illuminate/FMVSS 138 (2014–2019 model years; 12,675 vehicles across all models; filed Jun 2024; 24V474000)
- Vehicle may Unexpectedly Shift into Neutral (2013–2015 model years; 3,851 vehicles across all models; filed May 2015; 15V291000)
- BRAKE FLUID (2012 model year; 340 vehicles across all models; filed Nov 2011; 11V550000)
All 6 Fiat 500 recall campaigns · Fiat 500 problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Fiat 500 years FAQ
Which Fiat 500 year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2011 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (1). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Fiat 500 years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2012, 2013 and 2014 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the power train. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Fiat 500 problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the power train (390 of 811 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Fiat 500 have?
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns covering the Fiat 500. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Fiat 500 recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.