Generation-specific owner insights from 158+ substantive owner discussions, with US complaint and recall records.
Should I buy a 2012–2020 500L?209
US owner complaints (NHTSA), 2012–2020
5
recall campaigns
power train
most-complained area
Our take, from owner reports
Owner sentiment for the 2012-2020 Fiat 500L is sharply divided and overall negative, with a vocal majority warning against the car and a smaller group of long-term owners reporting genuinely positive experiences.
19 problems reported (1 very frequent, 4 recurrent, 14 isolated) · high confidence
Insufficient owner data available to declare a consensus, but partial signal points to later model years with the conventional automatic and to any year with the six-speed manual. Owners repeatedly single out the 2014 model as the worst year, citing its first-year status and the dual-clutch transmission.
Owners compare it most often with the Kia Soul, Fiat 500X, Fiat 500, Chevrolet Spark and Honda Fit.
Is a 2012–2020 500L right for you?
Get an answer for your year, mileage and budget.
Owner sentiment for the 2012-2020 Fiat 500L is sharply divided and overall negative, with a vocal majority warning against the car and a smaller group of long-term owners reporting genuinely positive experiences. Critics consistently attack build quality, the dual-clutch automatic transmission, and long-term reliability, while defenders praise interior space, practicality, highway manners, and distinctive styling. A clear split emerges between the dual-clutch automatic, which draws heavy criticism, and the six-speed manual, which owners repeatedly describe as the more reliable and enjoyable choice. Later model years are viewed more favorably because the problematic dual-clutch unit was reportedly replaced with a conventional automatic, and several owners note the 1.4 MultiAir turbo engine itself is sound.
Owners frequently position the 500L as the weakest option in its class, with several saying a Kia Soul is better in every conceivable way and that the 500X is a better Fiat. Against the Chevrolet Spark, owners leaned toward the Spark despite its basic equipment. The 500L is often described as cheap on the used market for a reason, and several owners recommend alternatives like the Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris, or Mazda 2 instead. Defenders counter that the 500L offers more interior room than larger sedans, good highway fuel economy, and a character that mainstream competitors lack.
Owners most often recommend the six-speed manual over the dual-clutch automatic for reliability and driveability. For automatics, owners suggest seeking a later model year that uses the conventional Aisin automatic rather than the dual-clutch. The 1.4 MultiAir turbo engine is described as good, with advice to use the correct Chrysler MS-12991 spec synthetic 5W-40 oil and to regularly inspect or replace the MultiAir oil filter.
Owners advise that this generation suits buyers who value interior space, quirky styling, and low used prices, and who are willing to accept the risk of expensive repairs. Buyers needing an automatic should be cautious and specifically check which transmission the car has. Owners strongly recommend a pre-purchase inspection, verifying that transmission recalls were performed, checking for timing belt service at higher mileage, and confirming parts availability, since some components are becoming hard to find. Several owners warn that the 2014 model year should be avoided if possible.
A recurring theme is that the dual-clutch transmission requires specific driving habits, such as manually holding first gear in stop-and-go traffic, and that improper technique accelerates wear. Several owners report that a wet module under the front driver-side wheel well, not the transmission itself, caused shifting failures after rain. Some owners note dealership closures making routine maintenance harder, and a few describe being refused loaner cars during lengthy repairs. A number of long-term owners report trouble-free ownership past 90,000 miles, which contrasts sharply with the dominant negative narrative. Analysis based on approximately 158 substantive owner discussions about this generation.
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 1 | 0 | vehicle speed control |
| 2016 | 2 | 0 | power train |
| 2015 | 23 | 2 | power train |
| 2014 | 183 | 3 | power train |
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Higher-selling years naturally accumulate more complaints.
2015 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 15V590000
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2015 Fiat 500L vehicles manufactured April 23, 2015, to May 10, 2015. The affected vehicles may be equipped with a passenger frontal air bag that was not folded properly during the assembly process. As a result, the air bag may not deploy as designed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
2015 · air bags:knee bolstercampaign 14V481000
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Fiat 500L vehicles manufactured March 3, 2012, to July 25, 2014. Irregularities in the folding process during assembly of the driver's knee airbag may result in its improper deployment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
2014 · power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)campaign 17V192000
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014 Fiat 500L vehicles. The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software calibration maybe incorrect, limiting the engine to idle speed and torque even when accelerator pedal is fully pressed.
2014 · air bags:knee bolstercampaign 14V481000
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Fiat 500L vehicles manufactured March 3, 2012, to July 25, 2014. Irregularities in the folding process during assembly of the driver's knee airbag may result in its improper deployment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
2014 · power train:automatic transmissioncampaign 14V103000
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2014 Fiat 500L vehicles manufactured April 5, 2013, through January 22, 2014. In certain temperatures, moving the transmission shift lever may have a delayed effect or no effect on selecting a transmission gear.
Owner insights summarize real ownership discussions for this generation only. Complaint and recall data is public NHTSA (US) information. Always verify recalls against your VIN at nhtsa.gov.