10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
35,941 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.

2013 Fiat 500 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2013 Fiat 500 Owner Comments (Page 2 of 4)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #46

Aug 102019

500

  • 113,000 miles

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

Fiat's check engine light came on, and upon being diagnosed no codes came up for this car. Soon after being diagnosed as a faulty code, my car suddenly stopped being able to change gears while the car is running, although it changes just fine whem it is turned off. The first incidence of this happening occured while I was driving and posed a huge safety hazard

- Hampton, VA, USA

problem #45

Jun 072019

500

  • miles
The contact owns a 2013 Fiat 500. The contact stated that the vehicle was difficult to shift in and out of gear and there was a loss of power. The vehicle was taken to moses Fiat-alfa romeo (2041 maccorkle ave, St albans, wv 25177, (304) 722-4900). The dealer stated that the vehicle was repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 16V302000 (power train); however, the failures occurred afterwards. The vehicle was not repaired and was towed to the dealer more than once. The dealer indicated that the same oem parts needed to be replaced. The dealer turned the contact away twice. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Beards Fork, WV, USA

problem #44

Apr 012019

500

  • miles
There is an oil leak on drivers side cam seal or actuator

- Easton, PA, USA

problem #43

Feb 212019

500

  • 63,109 miles

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

Driving in 3rd gear slid and hit the guard rail and when vehicle stopped couldn't get vehicle out of 3rd gear. Had to use both hands to get vehicle into 1st gear. After vehicle was in 1st gear the vehicle started to smoke and the clutch pedal stuck to the floor. Found a recall bulletin #16V302000 on fca us llc website which describes a recall for S34: "if the clutch diaphragm spring fails, the driver may not be able to shift gears or the vehicle may lose power, increasing the risk of a crash." That's exactly what happen to the vehicle. Fiat Chrysler will not stand behind recall S34 on this vehicle. Vehicle was in motion driving in 3rd gear and couldn't get vehicle to go into 4th gear stuck and crashed on a county road.

- Freeport, IL, USA

problem #42

Oct 012018

500

  • 70,000 miles
My vehicle is experiencing the exact problem described in recall 16V302000 so I contacted Fiat. They will not repair the transmission because my VIN is not registered as an effected vehicle. I have on more than one occasion run into problems shifting, the car would physically not go into gear until a downshift first occurred. This has caused drastic slowdowns while driving in traffic.

- Grayslake, IL, USA

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problem #41

Nov 082018

500

  • 21,000 miles
Loss of motive power while I drive and I have to pull over on the highway. This has happened many times. I have taken the car to Fiat and they have not fixed the issue. Fiat has a recall on my type of car except fca us llc said my VIN is not included. NHTSA campaign id # 16V302000. I do not want passengers to be in my car because of the risk of death. There is a significant danger to myself and others.

- White Plains, NY, USA

problem #40

Oct 132018

500

  • 69,000 miles

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

Transmission lost gears while merging with traffic. Due to shifter cable bushing failure. Lost 3rd, 4th & 5th year. This has caused numerous owners stranded. www.fiat500usaforum.com/showthread.php?21879-lost-some-gears-shifter-broken/page3

- Everett, WA, USA

problem #39

Oct 092018

500

  • 77,000 miles
Experienced difficulty shifting gears, and once the car stopped on the highway; was able to get it into third gear to move the car. Once the vehicle was parked 10/09/2018 I was unable to engage the gears; the manual gearshift would not enter any gear. Extremely dangerous while on the road, as you are unable to move the vehicle. The vehicle was towed. I called fca and they advised that this is not part of the recall, but the vehicle is experiencing exactly the same issues as those included in the recall. I would have to pay out of pocket to tow the the vehicle a 2nd time to a fca repair shop with no guarantee that a) they can fix it; B) they will cover any of the costs incurred; C) they would include this information or vehicle in the reporting of those affected by the (already known) S34 recall. Vehicle has less than 80K miles and I consistently brought it to fca dealership and service centers since purchase. I am the original owner.

- Tarrytown, NY, USA

problem #38

Jul 142018

500

  • 29,910 miles
On July 14, 2018, I began experiencing trouble with my Fiat 500 sport ive only had 2-3 months. I was driving the vehicle in some traffic when it suddenly loss of power. The car began sending multiple codes dealing with the powertrain and transmission. Right now no obd II devices are able to read the codes because nothing shows. I am unable to track my vehicle's mileage as well. The check engine and ESC lights are on. If driven the transmission light comes on and the car tries to stall. The oil has been changed as required. There is very rough idling. There are constant misfires in one of the cylinders. I haven't driven this car in over a month. Today I have finally managed to get it to the dealership. I'm not sure what they will say is the problem but I feel its a bad ECU/BCM/PCM.

- Woodbridge, VA, USA

problem #37

Nov 012014

500

  • 500 miles
Since I bought the car when I put it into reverse it slips out of gear. Ive had it since 2014. I've looked up recalls but it hasn't been recalled yet. It looks as though several model close mine are having the same issue and have been recalled already. I will be trying to reverse on a street and it pops out of gear and grindes. This issues happens frequently and has gotten me close to accidents.

- Port Orchard, WA, USA

problem #36

Jun 052018

500

  • 98,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2013 Fiat 500. The contact stated that the vehicle would not shift gears and remained in neutral while attempting to shift into park. As a result of the failure, the vehicle continued to roll and almost crashed. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was contacted and stated there were no recalls on the vehicle. The failure mileage was 98,000.

- Elk Grove, CA, USA

problem #35

Jun 062017

500

  • 96,331 miles
My 2013 Fiat pop was called in for a recall on the clutch plate and spring. Desert Fiat of victorville made the repair and I drove it until June 6, when the clutch failed and I had it towed to their service center. They had my car from June 6 until July 7. when I spoke with fca (888-242-6342 file #[xxx])they told me I had to authorize the service and they would help if the repair was not cover under the recall. The repair is $1748 and they are holding my car hostage and will not negotiate with me as they said they would. They have threaten to put a lien on my car. I have contacted the bureau of automotive repair ([xxx])and they have found 3 violations. I am trying to get my car back is there anything that can be done. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Victorville, CA, USA

problem #34

Jun 162017

500

  • 54,000 miles
I was driving to an appointment and was sitting at a red light when my Fiat began to shake. I took it to the Fiat dealership after my appointment on June 16, 2017. The following Tuesday they said I was my spark plugs and I approved changing them. When they started the car again then they got a message stating no compression in cam 2. I an the original owner and have had the car just under 4 years. I have had all the scheduled maintenance done there at the dealership. I however have 54K on the engine so I am just outside of the warranty. I have been going through various Fiat forums and see that this seems to be an issue with cam 2.

- Portland, OR, USA

problem #33

Oct 302016

500

  • 1,400 miles
Complete loss of power when driving, I filed for lemon law. I won. Now they are going to sell this car on the internet as a buy back.

- Hot Springs, AR, USA

problem #32

May 102016

500

  • 40,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Fiat 500. The contact stated that the oil pressure and service engine warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was serviced by an independent mechanic. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 16V302000 (power train). The contact stated that the manufacturer had not supplied the remedy and parts within a reasonable time frame. Months after waiting for the recall repair parts, the clutch was not functioning properly and there was a strong vibration coming from the pedal. The manufacturer had a dealer (bob frensley Chrysler Jeep Ram Fiat in madison, tn) schedule an appointment for July 6, 2017. In the interim, the contact could obtain a rental vehicle and would be reimbursed. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Nashville, TN, USA

problem #31

May 272017

500

  • 85,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Fiat 500. While attempting to drive out of a parking structure, the contact was unable to shift the vehicle into gear. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the shifter cable fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 16V302000 (power train). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.

- Waterbury, VT, USA

problem #30

Mar 202017

500

  • 29,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Fiat 500. While driving approximately 60 mph, the contact attempted to downshift to exit the highway, but the vehicle did not engage in gear. The vehicle lost acceleration and was running very slowly. The contact pulled over to the shoulder and noticed a burning odor. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was determined that the VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 16V302000 (power train); however, the contact never received any communication from the manufacturer. The vehicle had been at the dealer for five weeks. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 29,000.

- Quincy, MA, USA

problem #29

Nov 142016

500

  • miles
The contact owns a 2013 Fiat 500. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V302000 (power train); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The VIN was not available. Parts distribution disconnect.

- St Petersburg, FL, USA

problem #28

Feb 102017

500

  • miles
The contact owns a 2013 Fiat 500 sport hatchback. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V302000 (power train); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Lincoln, CA, USA

problem #27

Jul 182016

500

  • miles
The contact owns a 2013 Fiat 500. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V302000 (power train) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Ann Arbor, MI, USA

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