Avoid: 2014, 2012 (lowest Year Scores on complaints per year on the road, crash reports and recalls)
Best: 2011 (few owner reports) · Best recent: 2018
8 model years of NHTSA owner complaints and recalls · How we grade
Across 8 model years, the Fiat 500 has 1,912 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 25 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are power train and electrical system. 2012 drew the most complaints (788), 2011 the fewest (1).
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for Fiat 500 vehicles (US, public record).
Complaint volume by model year. Raw NHTSA totals, not adjusted for sales volume or time on the road, so older and higher-selling years accumulate more. Every year links to its full breakdown.
Highest: 2012 (788 complaints). Lowest: 2011 (1).
Sentiment is sharply divided and heavily dependent on vehicle age, mileage, and powertrain. The vehicle is consistently praised for its compact size, ease of parking, stylish design, and practicality as a second urban runabout.
Complete failure requiring replacement, harsh/jerky shifting when cold, inability to shift out of first gear, expensive repairs ($4,500+).
Intermittent no-crank/no-start conditions, faulty clutch switch relays, blown fuses (F11), malfunctioning instrument clusters, trunk latches failing, headlights not turning off due to faulty Body Control Modules (BCM).
Squeaking/whining noise when depressed, requiring complete clutch kit and flywheel replacement.
P0101 MAF errors causing limp mode, P0299/P1068/P2178 codes on Abarth models, rough idle, attributed to spark plugs, coil packs, vacuum leaks, or purge valves.
Clunky suspension, wheel bearing whine at higher speeds, often requiring replacement.
Owner insights cover all generations of the 500. Individual model years are broken down above.
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