KnownCarProblems2013 Fiat 500 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 165 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Fiat 500, most often about the transmission (48% of complaints, typically around 63,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about 500 model year since 2000 and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2013 Fiat 500 problems
Transmission
79 complaints · 48%Half of these problems showed up before 63,000 miles. Parts named most often: manual transmission.
Driving in 3rd gear slid and hit the guard rail and when vehicle stopped couldn't get vehicle out of 3rd gear. Had to use both hands to get vehicle into 1st gear. After vehicle was in 1st gear the vehicle started to smoke and the clutch pedal stuck to the floor. Found a recall bulletin #16v302000 on fca US llc website…
So - I've got a 2013 500e and it started doing this last week or so. The rbc, the ESC, the ABS, and even the hill assist transiently, and once or twice even went into 'propulsion system service' error mode and wouldn't run. After a re-start it would then run. Even did the battery trick. Not sure if it helped or not.…
Engine
22 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 39,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2013 Fiat 500. While turning at an unknown speed, the vehicle stalled and the electronic throttle control warning light illuminated. The failure occurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on several occasions where the failure was undetermined. The technician recommended…
The contact owns a 2013 Fiat 500. The contact stated that the oil pressure and service engine warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was serviced by an independent mechanic. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 16v302000 (power train). The contact stated that the manufacturer had not supplied the remedy…
Other or unspecified
18 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 45,500 miles.
We had a severe accident on interstate 405 where a large SUV hit US from behind at speed and pushed US into a stationary truck. Both the rear and front of the car were severely damaged. We were moderately injured. Were given first aid by paramedics and we chose not to go to emergency and go to urgent care instead.
When I turn my steering wheel to the left or right I hear a clicking noise under the drivers side floor mat. It also makes a snapping noise. I had a mechanic put my car on the lift and both left and right rubber strut mounts appear to be quite loose. The car only has 50k miles on it. I hear the popping and snapping…
Electrical
17 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 38,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel.
The wire harness going to the trunk lid is defective. The wires break and the dealer repairs the breaks with a splice which doesn't last. I brought the car to the dealer for this defect in 2017. They performed the factory repair per the service manager charlie thibault. I expressed concerns for the repair since it was…
The contact owns a 2013 Fiat 500. While turning at an unknown speed, the vehicle stalled and the electronic throttle control warning light illuminated. The failure occurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on several occasions where the failure was undetermined. The technician recommended…
Fuel system
12 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 16,500 miles.
My 2013 Fiat abarth was rear ended. I was stopped. The other driver, in a grand cherokee, rear ended me. His speed was approximately 20-30 MPH. I was knocked unconscious briefly & had severe head pain. I am still undergoing treatment. None of my cars safety features worked, including the fuel pump shut off. I believe…
Loss of motive power while I drive and I have to pull over on the highway. This has happened many times. I have taken the car to Fiat and they have not fixed the issue. Fiat has a recall on my type of car except fca US llc said my VIN is not included. Nhtsa campaign id # 16v302000. I do not want passengers to be in my…
Air bags
10 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 29,000 miles.
The contact owns 2013 Fiat 500. While driving 20 MPH on a straight away, another vehicle came out from a side street. The other vehicle crashed head on in the contact's front. The air bags did not deploy and the seat belt failed to retract. As a result, of the crash the contact sustained an injury on a cartilage on…
The contact owned a 2013 Fiat 500. While the vehicle was parked by the curb in front of the house, another vehicle crashed into the contact's vehicle and caused it to explode. The air bags did not deploy. There were no injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to a tow yard. The contact…
Body and structure
10 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 40,000 miles. Parts named most often: body.
When I first bought my car I had issues with a tail light going out within the first 6 months. Then a headlight 2 months after that then 12 months a taillight then another taillight and headlight well you see what I mean then they recalled a cluch on my car but they didnt have a replacemnt part yet and they never…
Check engine light, transmission light come on intermittently. Ambient temp sensor records crazy temps as low as negative 40 f. Plastic casing around passenger side view mirror melted which is where ambient temp sensor is located and could be fire hazard. Dealer has changed ambient sensor but warnings and wild temps…
Lights
9 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 71,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2013 Fiat 500. While driving 65 MPH, the headlights burned out. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 82,000.
Twice since 2014, the heavy driver side, glass window has slid down into the door and has needed expensive repairs. Driving without a functioning driver side window is not safe. The vehicle was parked when this happened. Also at least one or other of the headlamps needed changing, three times, creating an unsafe…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2013 Fiat 500 recalls
Transmission: floor shift
Risk: If the shifter cable detaches from the transmission, the transmission may not shift into the gear selected by the driver. Additionally, despite selecting park with the shifter, the vehicle may roll away. These scenarios may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter cable adjuster, free of charge. The recall began january 9, 2020. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is vb4.
Full defect summary
Chrysler (fca US llc) is recalling certain 2012-2013 fiat 500 vehicles equipped with 6-speed automatic transmissions. The shifter cable bushing may fail allowing the cable to detach from the transmission.
Transmission: manual transmission
Risk: If the clutch diaphragm spring fails, the driver may not be able to shift gears or the vehicle may lose motive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: The remedy for this recall will include the installation of a clutch pedal limiter and a clutch pedal switch. The recall began on november 10, 2016. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is s34.
Full defect summary
Chrysler (fca US llc) is recalling certain model year 2012-2016 fiat 500 vehicles manufactured june 21, 2010, through january 12, 2016, equipped with a manual transmission. The clutch diaphragm spring may fracture and fail, causing an inability to switch gears.
Transmission: automatic transmission
Risk: If the vehicle unexpectedly shifts to neutral, the loss of drive could increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the evcu, free of charge. The recall began june 19, 2015. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is r20.
Full defect summary
Chrysler (fca US llc) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 fiat 500 battery electric vehicles manufactured march 8, 2013, to march 7, 2015. The electric vehicle control unit (evcu) of the affected vehicles may set a diagnostic trouble code (dtc) that may cause the transmission to unexpectedly shift to neutral.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Electrical overstress
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect.â during the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (acu) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) electronic control unit (ecu) manufactured by zf-trw. â the ecu receives signals from crash sensors mounted in the vehicle and deploys the vehicle air bags and seat belt pretensioners in accordance with m
Questions about the 2013 Fiat 500
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 Fiat 500?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (79 complaints, typically around 63,000 miles); engine (22 complaints, typically around 39,000 miles); other or unspecified (18 complaints, typically around 45,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2013 Fiat 500 have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from November 15, 2019 (transmission). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2013 a bad year for the Fiat 500?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about 500 model year since 2000, with 165 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.