Fiat 500L Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 130 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the Fiat 500L across 3 model years. The 2014 model year has the most (123). The words owners use most often: “shift gear” (6% of reports).
- 130power train complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 3mention a crash
- 1mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- 19%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.
- Shift gear: mentioned in 8 of 130 complaints (6%)
- Automatic transmission: mentioned in 8 of 130 complaints (6%)
- Put neutral: mentioned in 7 of 130 complaints (5%)
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 93 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 130 complaints, 3 mention a crash, 5 a fire, 1 an injury.
Fiat 500L power train complaints by model year
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Model years: 2014
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014 Fiat 500L vehicles. The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software calibration maybe incorrect, limiting the engine to idle speed and torque even when accelerator pedal is fully pressed.
Risk: If the vehicle does not accelerate as expected, there may be an increased risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the PCM software, free of charge. The recall began April 13, 2017. Owners may the Fiat Information Center at 1-888-242-6342. Chrysler's number for this recall is T19.
Power train:automatic transmission
Model years: 2014
Problem: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2014 Fiat 500L vehicles manufactured April 5, 2013, through January 22, 2014. In certain temperatures, moving the transmission shift lever may have a delayed effect or no effect on selecting a transmission gear.
Risk: If there is no effect, the vehicle might not shift out of the Park position. If there is a delayed effect, the vehicle may move in an unintended or unexpected direction, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter module or update the shifter software, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 31, 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number associated with this recall is P06.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Will not pass emissions due to sensors not going into "ready" state. We have taken it to 4 different mechanics and we were told that the abs module is not communicating. So we replaced it and still nothing. Now we are told that the PCM is not storing memory. There have been no lights illuminated on…
The contact owns a 2014 Fiat 500L. The contact stated that while the vehicle was coming to a stop at an intersection, the vehicle became inoperable while attempting to shift gears, with the message âGears Unavailableâ displayed. The contact attempted to shift gear several times; however, the…
after looking at all of the complaints within NHTSA there are approximately 50 pages of combined complaints with each page showing 4 "call outs" and the majority being Power Train and reading pretty much all of them it appears that they are all the same issue. Their vehicles along with mine were…
When you start up the car for the first time and began to drive it won't shift out of first gear for several blocks. The transmission strains to shift into 2nd. The transmission overall takes a while to get up to speed on the the expressways, it's hard to enter at the prevailing speed. Also, the…
Vehicle randomly stuck in park and will not move in reverse or drive, at one point was in drive and moving while saying gear not available. All the complaints of the 2014 models and mine was manufactured in 2014 but labeled a 2015. Fiat is quoting the repair at 3000- to over 10k while second…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Fiat 500Ls have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 130 owner complaints about power train for the Fiat 500L. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Fiat 500L power train?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about power train problems on the Fiat 500L?
The most frequent phrase is “shift gear”, in 8 of 130 complaints, followed by “automatic transmission” (8).
See all Fiat 500L problems.