Fiat 500L Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Fiat 500L 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 2017 drew the fewest (1) and the 2014 the most (183).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Among the fewest complaints |
1 | 0 | Vehicle speed control | — | 25 |
| 2016 Among the fewest complaints |
2 | 0 | Power train | — | 25–28 |
| 2015 Among the fewest complaints |
23 | 2 | Air bags | — | 25–28 |
| 2014 Among the most complaints |
183 | 3 | Power train | — | 27–28 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Fiat 500L 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.
2014 Fiat 500L: 183 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 123 (67%); Engine 30 (16%); Electrical system 25 (14%).
Reports mention 5 crashes, 5 fires, 3 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 52,367 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.
2015 Fiat 500L: 23 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 5 (22%); Power train 5 (22%); Electrical system 4 (17%).
Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 20,696 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.
The Fiat 500L years with the fewest complaints
2017 Fiat 500L: 1 complaints
Most-reported: Vehicle speed control 1 (100%).
0 recall campaigns listed.
2015 Fiat 500L: 23 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 5 (22%); Power train 5 (22%); Electrical system 4 (17%).
Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 20,696 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Fiat 500L owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2016 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2015 | 23 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20,696 |
| 2014 | 183 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 52,367 |
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 500L recalls
- Incorrect PCM Software Calibration (2014 model year; 25,583 vehicles across all models; filed Mar 2017; 17V192000)
- Knee Air Bag may Deploy Improperly/FMVSS 208 (2014–2015 model years; 25,479 vehicles across all models; filed Aug 2014; 14V481000)
- Delay or Inability to Select Transmission Gears (2014 model year; 18,100 vehicles across all models; filed Mar 2014; 14V103000)
- Passenger Air Bag may Deploy Improperly/FMVSS 208 (2015 model year; 15 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 2015; 15V590000)
All 4 Fiat 500L recall campaigns · Fiat 500L 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 500L years FAQ
Which Fiat 500L year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2017 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 500L 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 2014, 2015 and 2016 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 500L problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the power train (130 of 209 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Fiat 500L have?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns covering the Fiat 500L. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Fiat 500L 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.