This page covers 3 recalls, 16 owner complaints and EPA fuel economy for the 2014 Fiat 500e.
116 MPGe combined
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.
Electrical system complaints dominate what 2014 Fiat 500e owners report, with the powertrain and propulsion system following at a distance. On the electrical side, owners describe erratic range estimation, most notably a sudden, significant drop in remaining miles shown on the dashboard, with some tying the behavior to a software update. A separate pattern involves the 120-volt charging equipment, where owners report the plug running hot during charging and scorching wall outlets in some cases. On the powertrain and propulsion side, the complaint volume is lower and the reports are more scattered. One isolated report describes airbags not deploying in a front-end collision, though this appears to be a single account rather than a recurring theme. The charging hardware heat issue is the most concrete repeating symptom owners describe across multiple reports.
16
Total Complaints
2
Crash-Related
By System
The 2014 Fiat 500e has 3 recalls, all centered on the electric propulsion system losing power while driving, which raises the risk of a crash.
Two of the recalls involve the power inverter module: voltage spikes can cause the propulsion system to shut down unexpectedly, and a separate issue with the inverter's cooling plates can allow coolant to leak into high-voltage circuitry, blowing a fuse and cutting drive power. The third recall involves a software incompatibility between the vehicle's electric control unit and battery pack controller that can cause the propulsion system to shut down completely if the car enters limp-home mode, producing a sudden stall-like loss of power.
At a glance
What can fail
The power inverter module may experience voltage spikes that cause the propulsion system to shut down, resulting in loss of motive power.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the power inverter module software at no cost to restore proper propulsion system operation.
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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
When the vehicle enters limp home mode, incompatible software between the Electric Vehicle Control Unit and Battery Pack Control Module can cause the electric propulsion system to shut down completely.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the vehicle software to ensure the components work together properly, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The cooling plates in the Power Inverter Module may leak coolant onto high-voltage electrical circuits, causing a short circuit that blows the service fuse.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the Power Inverter Module at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
