Fiat 500 Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 390 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the Fiat 500 across 6 model years. The 2012 model year has the most (201). The words owners use most often: “pressure plate” (8% of reports).
- 390power train complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 6mention a crash
- 3mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- $2,250typical repair cost reported by owners
- 25%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Pressure plate: mentioned in 32 of 390 complaints (8%)
- Clutch pedal: mentioned in 31 of 390 complaints (8%)
- Shift gears: mentioned in 25 of 390 complaints (6%)
- Manual transmission: mentioned in 23 of 390 complaints (6%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical power train repair on the Fiat 500 at $2,250, and half of them between $1,650 and $3,000.
Based on 15 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2014–2021), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 269 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 390 complaints, 6 mention a crash, 7 a fire, 3 an injury.
Fiat 500 power train complaints by model year
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:floor shift
Model years: 2012, 2013
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
Model years: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
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
Model years: 2013, 2014, 2015
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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are 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.
The contact owns a 2012 Fiat 500. The contact stated that upon shifting the gear shifter into drive(D), park(P), or reverse(R), the transmission failed to shift into the intended gear and shifted into a different gear. The vehicle was towed to the dealer after each failure. The dealer repaired the…
The clutch went out while downshifting upon making a turn onto a street. The gear shift became wobbly and would not shift into any gear. This happened without warning. Minutes before, my passenger and I were driving across town on a freeway.
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…
The contact owns a 2015 Fiat 500. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH and attempting to downshift, the vehicle failed to respond as intended while the RPM continued to rev. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the gear shifter was significantly difficult to…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Fiat 500s have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 390 owner complaints about power train for the Fiat 500. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Fiat 500 power train?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix power train problems on the Fiat 500?
Owners report a typical cost of $2,250 (half paid between $1,650 and $3,000), from 15 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about power train problems on the Fiat 500?
The most frequent phrase is “pressure plate”, in 32 of 390 complaints, followed by “clutch pedal” (31).
Other Fiat 500 problems
- Electrical System problems (136)
- Engine problems (109)
See all Fiat 500 problems.