3.4

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
38,843 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.

2016 Fiat 500X drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2016 Fiat 500X Owner Comments (Page 2 of 2)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #20

Jul 202019

500X

  • 10,005 miles

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

On July 20, 2019, my 2016 Fiat 500X parked in driveway. Pressed the ignition button to start and no start instead all the warning lights started flashing in sequence. Coolant tempt too high! service transmission! service airbags! service power steering! service electronic park brake! every amber and red warning just continually repeats the flashing sequence. Of course, car does not respond to starting and no power buttons respond. No electronic brake the battery is good. Coolant is not too hot because car has not been started/driven for 5 days, since July 15, 2019. Total mileage is 10,005 miles to date! will have to tow to Fiat. And be at their mercy.this car is like new. Not even driven every. Day. ## VIN passed ## ##

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #19

Oct 172018

500X

  • 30,000 miles
My wife told me of this happening to her and I didn't believe her until it happened to me. So, I'm driving down neighborhood streets at about 45 mph, the posted speed limit, and I go to cross an intersection and the car loses all power with traffic headed towards me. Luckily, it regained power a few seconds later, but I feel we've just been lucky so far. My wife has experienced this several times, on highways, neighborhood roads, etc. And I have experienced it twice now. The next day, the drive mode unavailable message came on when I started the vehicle and would not go. Took it to the dealership the first time I experienced it and was told the old update story. Took it in again and they kept it a whole week the next time and couldn't find anything wrong they said. It keeps happening, the computer keeps turning off our display, and I believe the engine fan may be going out now. Not a good/quality vehicle at all and I feel like Fiat doesn't have any answers for the problems as we keep being told "updates, " yet it continues happening.

- Frisco, TX, USA

problem #18

May 012019

500X

  • miles
500X trekking is having issues shifting randomly. Coming to stop it feels like I am getting rear ended when it shifts down. Pushing the gas hesitates and I feel like I am getting whiplash from the shift.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #17

May 222019

500X

  • 33,700 miles

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

Vehicle unexpectedly shifts to neutral, could happen while in motion (no turns) and also while turning, usually on a city street. It could happen once a month, or once every couple of months. Have taken it to dealership twice. And PCM/tcm shift was reprogrammed (but it did not fix the issue). I took it again and they insist nothing can be done because they cannot replicate the problem. I tried explaining it happens sporadically but I fear for my life because it has done it while turning and having traffic against me. Still nothing was done. It started shortly after I bought it and at the moment I thought I released the pedal by mistake but it kept happening I realized I had no way of causing the failure. It has happened several times throughout the (almost) 3 years I had the vehicle so I don't remember a specific date. Last time it happen was last week (05/20/2019-05/24/2019) but I don't remember which day.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #16

Feb 132019

500X

  • 49,000 miles
In December 2018, the vehicle's check engine light came on and a "drive mode unavailable" message was displayed on the screen. The local Fiat dealership diagnosed that the cooling fan needed replacing because it had blown a fuse. In January 2018, while the vehicle was in motion with our child in the back seat, the vehicle stalled and suddenly turned off. We tried turning the vehicle on several times but it would not come on. After a few minutes, the vehicle finally turned on but no warning messages were displayed on the screen and the check engine light never came on. This vehicle is driven on the highway just about every day and many times with our children and we were very fortunate that the car stalled on a residential street and not while on the highway. We immediately reported this incident to Fiat (case # 57913062) and had the vehicle towed to a Fiat dealership. The dealer diagnosed the problem as having a low level of engine oil even though it had been there a few weeks before and went through their "multi-point" inspection. They recommended an oil change with an additive and a fuel injection cleaning which cost us $600. Two weeks later, while the car was in motion on the highway, the car started to shake as if it was about to stall, would not speed past 60mph, and smoke was coming out of the hood. The service engine light came on and a "drive mode unavailable" message was displayed on the screen. We took the first highway exit available and pulled the vehicle over as soon as possible and called for towing. We reported this incident to Fiat once again (case # 58008152) and requested for it to be escalated due the frequent incidents and our concern for safety. The vehicle was towed to same Fiat dealership as before where they diagnosed the issue as being a bad ignition coil that caused a misfire. We have not received any response from Fiat.

- Triangle, VA, USA

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problem #15

Nov 222018

500X

  • 29,000 miles
When driving on any kind of train, straight ground or hills, especially when accelerating, the engine or transmission slips into neutral mode and suddenly kicks back into drive mode. The car lunges forward and it feels like the transmission is slipping. This started about two to three months ago (November 2018) but has become significantly worse over the past couple of weeks. The car has 35K miles, automatic 9 speed transmission. I bought it new in June of 2015. I noticed that the is a recall for similar problems on similar Fiat since November of 2016, but I never received any kind of notice from fca about this.

- Lansdale, PA, USA

problem #14

Oct 222018

500X

  • 48,000 miles

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

While driving and slowing to a stop the transmission will shift into 1st early creating a jump or surge while slowing. The only way to stop this from occurring is to switch to manual shifting and down shift manually when almost to a complete stop.

- Cumming, GA, USA

problem #13

Oct 192018

500X

  • 53,000 miles
Around October 9, I tried to turn on the ignition as usual with the key fob. The engine would't turn, so I recharged the battery. After 10 minutes, it finally cranked. The battery is good, however, so I replaced the battery in the fob. On October 19, I used the key fob and all kinds of indicator lights came on. When I placed the car in reverse, several light indicators (service engine, check transmission, etc.) and it was like something inside the engine dropped as if the car shifted into another gear. The 'R' and the 'd' blinked steadily. I called and alerted the service department at brewbaker dealership, but the only availability was the following Monday. By fate, the car began to operate better. For nearly a week, the ignition started to improve although it would take two tries. On the morning of October 29, the same problems reoccured from October 19. Instead of going to work, I drove the car straight to the dealership. They kept it overnight for service personnel to analyze the problem. In research of recalls, I noticed that my car is not on the recall list although the descriptions of defects fit what my car is experiencing.

- Montgomery, AL, USA

problem #12

May 012018

500X

  • 15,000 miles
My Fiat 500X shifted itself to neutral from drive while I was driving. Gear noizes heard from engine for three months. It also stopped in the middle of driving by itself while my son was in car with me. Very scary. I called Chrysler/Fiat, customer service said "no recall" of my car, it's been taken care of. I googled and found out recall started Aug. 29, 2016 and I bought the car in July, 2016. So who took care of the recall if there was one"?"!!! no recall for this kinda of problem is unbelievable!! putting our lives in extreme danger. Please investigate before any life loss!! this is a very dishonet action of Fiat and the person who sold this car to me, knowing this problem could put my family's lives in crash. Ridiculous really.

- Arcadia, CA, USA

problem #11

Feb 152018

500X

  • 17,047 miles
I was driving down the highway in a middle lane going about 50mph when I noticed the car was no longer responsive to gas or steering. Brakes were harder to press than usual & I realized the car had turned itself off. The only way I could get it started again was to come to a complete stop & put it in park, re-start, disengage the auto-emergency brake, then put it in drive. All while cars were flying around the bend of the highway almost hitting me and almost hitting each other trying to avoid hitting me.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #10

Sep 012017

500X

  • 18,000 miles

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

Car was getting oil change at another facility. The workers noticed the undercarriage of the car was melted and deformed. There was major oil or other fluids leaking. Car was brought in and fixed several times before the transmission was replaced. It was fixed incorrectly and had to be towed in after being fixed. The car stopped driving. No one was able to tell me why the car was like that and why it was fixed incorrectly and unsafe to drive. Then several weeks later, the car had another incident and had to be towed in. The driveshaft was broken and replaced. These two major components should not have to be replaced in a car less than 2 years or 20,000 miles. The dealership has not offered any concession or explanation. The manager eventually told me the car was "deformed". I don't feel safe in the car. The car was not showing symptoms with the first incident only leaked fluid. The second time with the drive shaft it was in motion.

- Lincolnshire, IL, USA

problem #9

Dec 232017

500X

  • 32,000 miles
I slightly overshot a stop sign at the bottom of a steep hill. I saw that a car with the right of way was rapidly approach the intersection so I put the car in reverse with the intent to back up the car a couple of feet. I put the car in reverse and took my foot off the brake and instead of engaging the gear in reverse, the car rolled forward in neutral farther into the intersection before the gear was engaged by the computer. Luckily, the car jerked backward in time when the computer finally engaged the gear. The delay in the computer recognizing the gear is common. Even though I have all software updates for the transmission, the computer frequently lags in shifting to the appropriate gear. When it does shift, there is noticeable jerk.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #8

Dec 012017

500X

  • 27,400 miles
I received the error message "drive mode unavailable" with a service engine message after my last regular service appointment and oil change. My car is at 27,400 miles and after throwing that code barely could make it up a residential hill. After the local service department claimed to have fixed it, 3 miles down the road the message popped up again and driving was difficult. My local dealership has had my Fiat 500X now the second time since December 1st with no updates for me.

- Gladstone, OR, USA

problem #7

Dec 012017

500X

  • 33,000 miles
Transmission hesitates to engage after pressing accelerator and also shifts roughly when it does change gears. All available software patches have been applied by dealer, however the problem persists. This is a safety issue, especially when merging or turning into traffic, since acceleration can lag randomly when it is needed the most. Because of the acceleration bursts and lags when shifting, the car is difficult to control and provides a herky-jerky driving experience.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #6

Nov 142017

500X

  • 28,300 miles
My automatic transmission does not shift properly. There are constant delays in shifting. Upon any acceleration, my vehicle will fail to shift for up to several minutes. During that time the engine will rev up to 600 rpms before finally shifting. This happens every time I accelerate quickly with every gear. Absolutely impossible to pass other cars or speed up quickly. All shifting is clunky and vehicle often suddenly downshifts while driving on an open highway and maintaining a speed of 55mph to 60mph. Also downshifts suddenly during normal stree driving. Vehicle will not go any faster than 75mph-even on a steep downslope. I can floor the gas pedal and car simply will not go faster than 75mph. I must switch to sport mode to go any faster, but then average rpms are 300-350 and vehicle uses too much gas. I have owned it only 30 days. Purchased from a dealer. One previous owner. Only 28000 miles odo. Idles somewhat rough and slight knocking heard from engine while outside of vehicle. Have had it back to dealer who denied any problem, but gave me no paperwork to tell me what was checked. Taking it back tomorrow. Problems are a serious danger while driving.

- Reno, NV, USA

problem #5

Oct 232017

500X

  • 40,000 miles
Engine is very shaky when stalled at stop lights, etc. Service light recently came on and car was taken to the dealership for evaluation as it is still under warranty. The cooling fan needs to be replaced but is on a national backorder with no eta. Car can no longer be driven in traffic as it quickly overheats.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #4

Aug 012017

500X

  • 2,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Fiat 500X. While driving various speeds, the vehicle suddenly experienced severe jerking and hesitation. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (crown Chrysler/Fiat located in chattanooga, tn) where the PCM, tcm, and transmission were reprogrammed, but the failure continued. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was 2,000.

- Chattanooga, TN, USA

problem #3

Oct 012016

500X

  • 700 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Fiat 500X. While driving various speeds, the gear selector erroneously switched from drive into neutral, which caused the vehicle to lose power. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (rick case Fiat/Chrysler of davies, Florida), but the cause of the failure was unable to be diagnosed. In addition, while driving in reverse, the brakes malfunctioned, locked up, and the vehicle would not move. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the brake pads were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 16V529000 (power train), although the failures were identical. The failure mileage was 700.

- Coral Springs, FL, USA

problem #2

Dec 102016

500X

  • 14,000 miles
Vehicle goes into "limp mode" anytime wheels slip, untill computer clears no throttle or motion, vehicle is inoperable for over 5+ seconds and then accelerated at whatever position throttle is at. Dealer and mechanics say all new Fiat 2 and 4wheel drive all have this issue and they cannot fix. I pulled out into traffic, wheel slipped and went into limp in middle of lanes untill it cleared and took off at half throttle and almost got smeared by traffic. Dealer says all Fiat have same problem and only solution is to give a lot of lead time before entering traffic and try not to accelerate as to make wheels slip when road conditions may cause slipping. This has happend pulling out into traffic and while on ramps, hills. If on curve or hill vehicle will go int "limp mode" and will just slide down hills and through curves!!!

- Boise, ID, USA

problem #1

Nov 152016

500X

  • 2,278 miles
My 500X that I purchased in July of 2016 has shifted gears to the + symbol 4 different times while im driving. It started in Sept but I thought I had it a bump or something. It happened again 3 times I did go back to the bettenhauser dealer for service 3 times and they said I had to not turn the car off and get to them before they closed because they could not see codes to the problem.at this point in time they gave me a loaner to drive for about a week while they drove the car. They said they found nothing. I took my car back 2 weeks ago and I drive with a prayer that it doesn, T happen again while im in traffic as it did before scaring me to death. Do you have any suggestions. I see no recalls on this problem so far but something is wrong with my car. Thank you. All this happened when I was in traffic on the city streets of Chicago. I did come very close to having a terrible accident three times.the service dept has incorrect mileage on dates I was in for this problem. Correct date for 10/18/16 mileage 2,378 for 10/26/16 incorrect mileage 7,531 correct mileage for 1115/16 2,728.

- Hazel Crest, IL, USA

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