This page covers 3 recalls, 124 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2014 Fiat 500.
29–33 mpg combined
7.1–8.1 L/100km
Minicompact Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 3 tested variants for this model year.
4/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Powertrain complaints dominate the 2014 Fiat 500, making up nearly half of all reports filed for this model year. Owners most often describe transmission trouble, difficulty shifting, hesitation, and abnormal gear engagement, sometimes with no warning light beforehand, and sometimes requiring a tow. Engine-related reports frequently mention the check engine light coming on alongside hesitation or stumbling under acceleration; in some of those cases, owners were told the powertrain control module needed replacement. Electrical system complaints are a secondary but recurring theme, with owners describing intermittent dashboard warnings covering power steering, hill assist, and electronic stability control that typically clear on a restart but return periodically. A smaller number of owners report ABS behavior during hard braking that felt inconsistent with what they expected from the system.
124
Total Complaints
9
Crash-Related
7
Fire-Related
6
With Injuries
By System
The 2014 Fiat 500 has 3 recalls, the most serious affecting manual transmission models, where a fractured clutch spring can leave the driver unable to shift gears or cause the car to lose power entirely while moving.
Owners of the electric 500e should be aware of a separate drivetrain concern: a fault in the electric vehicle control unit can cause the transmission to drop into neutral without warning, cutting drive power unexpectedly. The third recall covers the tire pressure monitoring system, where the warning light may fail to illuminate when tires are underinflated. Without that alert, a driver can unknowingly continue on low tires, which raises the risk of a blowout or handling loss. Note that the manual transmission recall applies to 500s with a conventional clutch, while the electric powertrain recall only affects the battery-electric 500e variant.
At a glance
What can fail
The tire pressure monitoring system warning light may not turn on when tire pressure is low, preventing you from knowing when your tires need air.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the tire pressure monitoring system control unit at no cost to restore proper warning light function.
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Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The clutch diaphragm spring can fracture and fail, making it impossible to shift gears.
What the fix does
A clutch pedal limiter and clutch pedal switch will be installed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The Electric Vehicle Control Unit may set a diagnostic trouble code that causes the transmission to unexpectedly shift to neutral while driving.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the Electric Vehicle Control Unit at no cost to restore proper transmission operation.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
