Fiat 500L Problems by Year
NHTSA has 209 owner complaints and 4 safety recalls on file for the Fiat 500L, across 4 model years (2014–2017). The 2014 model year has the most complaints (183). The most reported problem area overall is power train.
Fiat 500L years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical 500L year: 2014, 2015. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2014 500L: 183 complaints, 3 recalls
- 2015 500L: 23 complaints, 2 recalls
- 2016 500L: 2 complaints, 0 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Fiat 500L problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train problems | 130 | 3 | 3 |
| Engine | 32 | 2 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 29 | 2 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 22 | 3 | 1 |
| Air Bags | 11 | 2 | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 11 | 2 | 1 |
| Steering | 11 | 2 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 9 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 6 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Suspension | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Back Over Prevention | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Fiat 500L problems by model year
Problem areas with enough reports for their own page.
- 2014: power train (123)
All Fiat 500L model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 500L | 1 | 0 | — | Vehicle Speed Control | |
| 2016 500L | 2 | 0 | — | Power Train | |
| 2015 500L | 23 | 2 | — | Air Bags | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2014 500L | 183 | 3 | — | Power Train | Far more complaints than other years |
More from Fiat: all Fiat models · Fiat VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Fiat 500L years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 2014 (183), 2015 (23) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical 500L year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Fiat 500L?
Power Train, with 130 complaints across 3 model years.
How many recalls does the Fiat 500L have?
4 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.