10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 5
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
48,329 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2014 Fiat 500L drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2014 Fiat 500L Owner Comments (Page 1 of 5)

problem #93

Apr 142023

500L

  • 108,672 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2014 Fiat 500L. The contact stated while his wife was accelerating from a standing stop at a traffic signal, the vehicle hesitated and then jerk and lunged forward once the transmission was shifted into drive(D). The contact stated that the check engine warning light and a message "Transmission Fault" warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that his wife stopped the vehicle and had difficulty shifting into park(P). The contact had to turn the vehicle off and on several times for the transmission to function normally. The contact stated that the hesitation and lunging forward nearly caused several crashes. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer where the contact was advised that the check engine warning light was no longer illuminated, and that the vehicle could not be diagnosed if the warning light was not illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure was intermittent. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and referred the contact to a dealer because the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V192000 (Power Train). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 108,672.

- Piedmont, SC, USA

problem #92

Mar 052023

500L

  • 89,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Fiat 500L. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V192000 (Power Train) which was associated with the VIN; however, the contact had not yet received notification of the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.

- East Meadow, NY, USA

problem #91

Jan 212023

500L

  • 84,864 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Fiat 500L. The contact stated upon shifting into drive(D) or reverse(R), the gear shifter would move to the intended gear; however, the instrument panel would indicate that the vehicle was in neutral(N). There was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle would jerk and would hesitate to respond while driving from a complete stop. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local Pep Boys where it was diagnosed that the power train had failed. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V103000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. Additionally, the contact became aware that the vehicle had a salvaged title. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 84,864.

- Cleburne, TX, USA

problem #90

Oct 182022

500L

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Won't shift out of park or reverse, it's a known issue that hasn't been addressed. There were two recalls, one in 2014 and one in 2017 - the two options were to reprogram or replace part. My car apparently only had the reprogramming done and still experiences the issue but the recall is considered closed at that. Many other drivers have experienced the same issue.

- Lakeville, CT, USA

problem #89

Oct 032018

500L 4-cyl

  • miles
The contact owns a 2014 Fiat 500L. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was making an abnormal clunking sound. The contact smelled a burning odor and saw black smoke inside the vehicle. The contact veered to the side of the road. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that a gear was damaged. The part was replaced; however, while driving at 70 MPH, the transmission warning light illuminated and a message indicating to shift into neutral(N), then drive(D) was displayed. The vehicle started decelerating independently. The contact stated that as she shifted into neutral(N) and then into drive(D), the vehicle responded as needed. However, the failure had been reoccurring while driving and coming to a stop. The vehicle was taken to a local Pep Boys where it was diagnosed that the oil temperature sensors had failed. The vehicle was then taken to the Chrysler dealer who informed the contact that they could not duplicate the failure and they could not service the vehicle as they did not have equipment for Fiat vehicles. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Beavercreek, OH, USA

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problem #88

May 232022

500L

  • miles
Manual transmission refused to shift while vehicle was moving. Car was stuck in neutral, so I was able to coast to curb. Had it been in gear, it would probably have been stuck in that one gear. Thinking it was just a broken cable, I took it to Telle Tire in Maplewood. They discovered the broken bushing and called a FIAT dealer for a replacement. The dealer informed them that this was a common problem, but that the part was not available separately; we'd have to buy the whole transmission ($6,000!), which they had in stock. Telle was able to locate an aftermarket bushing and I authorized the repair, which will run a little over $600. This has not been completed yet. There were no warning signs of the failure.

- St Louis, MO, USA

problem #87

Apr 292022

500L

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

So the dealer fixed the transmission / power train recall in 2020, my car is now doing exactly what the recall states, getting stuck in park, asking me to put engine in neutral and then drive without the car moving, so on and so forth. Fiat, as well as the repair dealer northside imports, is refusing to fix this issue as they state the car is out of warranty, and they feel they fixed the recall. This car only has 73k miles on it. The other issue of complaint is that the wire melted on the blower fan for the ac unit. Smelled burning wires in the car, and both fiat and dealer state that is normal wear and tear. That is not, as it could have caused a fire inside the car, luckily i was able to pull over and put out the smoldering wire. I need this fixed, and fiat is refusing to cover. They stated i need a new power train module and transmission which cost 12k which is 4k higher than the actual value of the car. During this whole time, fiat and the dealership was recommending that i purchase a new car. I want to know how i can get this fixed or the manufacturer to acknowledge they have a safety issue. I also got charged 326 dollars just for them to diagnose the issue. nothing fixed. 326 dollars to plug in a machine for 15 minutes. This is very wrong.

- Conroe, TX, USA

problem #86

Mar 122022

500L

  • 75,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 FIAT 500L. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power but did not stall. The contact stated that after depressing the accelerator pedal the regained motive power. The contact stated that after the vehicle accelerated to 60 MPH the vehicle started to decelerate independently. The contact stated that the service transmission and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the failure was due to a software update that needed to be performed by the dealer. The dealer was contacted and notified of the failure. The contact was informed that there was a software update previously available which had since been closed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA for assistance. The failure mileage was 75,000.

- Seattle, WA, USA

problem #85

Feb 172022

500L

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Fiat 500L. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the transmission warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle also instructed the driver to put the vehicle in neutral. The contact safely drove the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed a friend's house, then to AAMCO Transmissions & Total Car Care. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle with transmission failure. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle with transmission failure and notified the contact of recalls for similar failures. The manufacturer was notified. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V103000 (Power Train) and 17V192000 (Power Train). The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

- Temple Hills, MD, USA

problem #84

Jan 122022

500L

  • miles
when i started the vehicle it wouldnt go into reverse or drive. The engine light came on and said check transmission but when i put my car into manual mode it went forward then the engine light went away.

- Orleans, AL, USA

problem #83

Sep 042021

500L

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The Gear Shift Module is failing. It does not change gears from park to reverse or drive saying "gear unavailable". Service engine lite comes on and the red transmission symbol appears. I feel unsafe driving when this happens. I took it to a friend who is a mechanics and his diagnostic tool showed "P1CB1 gear shift activator 1 engage failure". This problem occurs with other customers complaints with this Fiat 500L model. I have to go to dealer and get this problem corrected because it is not safe to drive with the gears shift unresponding. I can image the bill I will be face with after all this.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #82

Sep 182021

500L

  • 17,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Fiat 500L. The contact stated that upon depression of the accelerator pedal while at a red light, the vehicle stalled with the check engine and transmission warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that after multiple attempts to restart the vehicle, she was finally able to move the vehicle to the shoulder of the road. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer and the vehicle was diagnosed with transmission failure. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that prior to owning the vehicle, the vehicle was serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V192000 (Power Train) and 14V103000 (Power Train). The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 17,000.

- New York, NY, USA

problem #81

Jul 232021

500L

  • miles
The contact owns a 2014 Fiat 500L. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously involved in a recall for the gear shifter module in 2014 that was completed. Since the repair was performed, the contact stated that while parked or are attempting to park the vehicle, the vehicle failed to shift from reverse to drive. A warning light displaying that the gear was unavailable was displayed. The contact stated while attempting to place the vehicle in drive, the vehicle was instead shifted to reverse. The failure occurred randomly and at various speeds. The contact contacted the dealer who stated that they may have an issue with the gear shifter module had yet to set an appointment for official diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was unknown.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #80

Jun 262021

500L

  • miles
Recalls T19/NHTSA 17V-192 and P06/NHTSA 14V-103 I have taken mt Fiat 500L to Crown Fiat Dublin ohio for the same things that the above recalls show. I have looked on line and it showes that the recalls have been done, but I am still having the same problem with the vehicle. What should I do now if they can not remedy this problem. Any help on this is greatly appreciated.

- Circleville, OH, USA

problem #79

Oct 012020

500L

  • 115,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Fiat 500L. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would shake and vibrate before suddenly stalling. Also, a burning odor was present and the warning message "dual clutch over heating" had displayed and on several occasions the vehicle would suddenly surge forward and experienced sudden acceleration. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the dual clutch transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer iilderton Dodge located at 701 S main St, high point, nc 27260 and the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 115,000.

- High Point, NC, USA

problem #78

Mar 222021

500L

  • 52,457 miles
Purchased this vehicle from manhattan alfa romeo Fiat in Dec 2017. It had 17000 miles and I purchased and extended warranty with zurich for power tain from manhattan Fiat. The car had 1 recalls for transmission issues on in March 2014 and one in March 2017. The car now needs a complete new transmission and it only has 52457 miles. The repair is over $7000. The warranty is claiming that it will not cover the transmission because it is outside parts of the transmission -hydrallic supply unit but the part can only be replaced as a whole unit. I called Chrysler/Fiat headquarters and they would not help me. The car has had transmission issues from when it was made. All the recalls and issues with the car they should be able to help me. The extended warranty not covering the transmission repair because they deem it an outside part when it is part of the transmission. Who can a consumer turn to. This is fraud.

- Staten Island, NY, USA

problem #77

Feb 192021

500L

  • 87,300 miles
While driving check engine light will come on and state "check transmission" and "manual transmission unavailable" then the auto shifter for gears will start shifting really rough or not at all. Once you turn off the vehicle it will not start again unless put on a battery charger, as it's stuck in 1st gear (per the shop). Took it to a shop, they stated it appears to be related to the first recall that I had completed and the dealer says they can't do anything since recall already done.

- Springfield, OR, USA

problem #76

Dec 132020

500L

  • 110,000 miles
I went to go move my car and it wouldn't go into reverse after several tries then eventually it just went into reverse and was okay. The next day it did the exact same thing but wouldn't go into drive.

- Wayne, NJ, USA

problem #75

Jan 052021

500L

  • 87,000 miles
Something going on with the transmission module a it's runs but sometimes when it appears something is stuck causing transmission light appear and sometimes it stops me in middle of road not going it's disconnected somewhere not safe in middle of road seems it's never been fixed from recall?? it did to me in middle of road even it's not overheat as well had to shut off wait for like 1 minute then start and go it wouldn't start right away something with the sensor somewhere for no appearly reason over all it runs great but something to do woth module a is what they seen on the check up when engine light came on. Did it 3 times in me in middle of road when transmission won't go like I said I was told when they did the device checking when engine light came on and checked from there. Been doing this more last month and this monthlies it need update or what need help please

- San Marcos, TX, USA

problem #74

Sep 152020

500L

  • 95,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Fiat 500L. The contact stated that while his wife was driving, smoke would come from under the hood. The contact stated that the smoke would appear intermittently and usually when the vehicle was stopped. The contact was concerned for the safety of his wife and child because the smoke would make way into the cabin with a burning order. The vehicle was taken to orange coast Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram Fiat, 2929 harbor blvd, costa mesa, ca 92626, and was diagnosed that the dual clutch burning up and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the repair fees and wanted another opinion. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.

- Huntington Beach, CA, USA

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