2013 Fiat 500 Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other 500 years
- Far more complaints than other years 2nd of 9 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 3 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- 4 out of 5 stars
Owners have filed 165 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Fiat 500. That ranks 2nd out of 9 500 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is power train (79 complaints, 48%), typically at around 63,109 miles. Complaints mention 9 crashes, 2 fires, 6 injuries. There are 3 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.
- 165owner complaints
- 3safety recalls
- 1NHTSA investigations
- 9complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2013 Fiat 500 problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train problems | 79 | 48% | 63,109 | “shift gears” (13%) | — |
| Engine | 22 | 13% | 39,000 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 18 | 11% | 45,450 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 17 | 10% | 38,000 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 12 | 7% | 16,500 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 10 | 6% | 29,000 | — | — |
| Structure | 10 | 6% | 39,960 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 9 | 5% | 71,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 7 | 4% | 13,000 | — | — |
| Steering | 7 | 4% | 20,600 | — | — |
| Tires | 5 | 3% | 6,500 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 | 3% | 3,492 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 4 | 2% | 63,500 | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 3 | 2% | 57,960 | — | — |
| Suspension | 2 | 1% | 49,900 | — | — |
| Visibility | 2 | 1% | 50,500 | — | — |
| Wheels | 2 | 1% | 31,833 | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 1% | 60,000 | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 1% | 19,800 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2013 Fiat 500 recalls (3)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:floor shift
Problem: 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.
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.
Power train:manual transmission
Problem: 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.
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.
Power train:automatic transmission
Problem: 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.
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.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Electrical overstress (EA19001) — opened Apr 19, 2019, closed Sep 19, 2024, led to recall 20V024.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
Gear cable broke. Automatic engine could not allow gears to shift. Would like for my vehicle to be included under NHTSA TECALL 19V-817. FCA Campaign Vb4.Fiat 500c 2012-13. MOPAR Fiat case #98205553.
Systemic Hydraulic Defect & Safety Recall Circumvention I am reporting a critical safety defect in the clutch hydraulic system of my 2013 Fiat 500 Abarth, which directly mirrors the failures described in NHTSA Recalls 16V-302 and 20V-124. Diagnostic measurements confirm a 1.23mm hydraulic…
While driving 40mph, pressed clutch and the transmission would not shift into gear. Car began to slow in traffic ans I was unable to accelerate as the clutch would not engage a gear. Mamaged to sagely get iff road. No fluid leaks found. Would shift into gear with car off. Gear selection works, not…
In June 2025, while driving my 2013 Fiat Abarth at highway speed, the vehicle suddenly stalled without warning. This happened on one of the hottest days of the year with another person in the car, creating a serious risk of a high-speed collision. The cause was later confirmed by a different Fiat…
Dear NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, I am filing this formal complaint to report the sale and interstate delivery of a dangerously defective and noncompliant vehicle sold to me by Arlington Auto Group, located at 3621 Columbia Pike, Arlington, Virginia. On [XXX], I purchased a 2013 Fiat 500…
Other Fiat 500 years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 500 | 0 | 1 |
| 2018 500 | 5 | 1 |
| 2017 500 | 14 | 1 |
| 2016 500 | 14 | 3 |
| 2015 500 | 92 | 3 |
| 2014 500 | 124 | 3 |
| 2013 | 165 | 3 |
| 2012 500 | 396 | 3 |
| 2011 500 | 1 | 0 |
See all Fiat 500 problems by year, every Fiat model, or the Fiat VIN decoder.
Similar Fiat models
Embed this 2013 Fiat 500 badge on your site
Copy this code into your blog or forum post. It shows live complaint and recall counts and links back here.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Fiat 500?
Owners most often report power train, engine, unknown or other problems. The top one, power train, accounts for 79 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2013 Fiat 500?
Yes, 3 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2013 Fiat 500 a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other 500 model years, the 2013 has far more complaints than most years, and NHTSA rates it 4 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.