CarModelProblems.com

2013 Fiat 500 Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Power Train — runs 5.5× the fleet median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.
164Complaints
4Recalls
9Crashes
2Fires
6Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Power Train (47% of complaints) — is covered by 4 NHTSA recall campaigns.

Power Train complaints here are 5.5× the median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.

1 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 5 rest on owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Power Train77 · 47%RecalledRecall 19E044000 · Recall 16V302000 · Recall 15V291000 · Recall 19V817000
Engine22 · 13.4%No official action
Electrical System16 · 9.8%No official action
Fuel/propulsion System12 · 7.3%No official action
Air Bags10 · 6.1%Investigation closedEA19001 → recall 20V024
Exterior Lighting9 · 5.5%No official action

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

POWER TRAIN77 · 47%
ENGINE22 · 13.4%
Unspecified / other18 · 11%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM16 · 9.8%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM12 · 7.3%
AIR BAGS10 · 6.1%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING9 · 5.5%
STRUCTURE:BODY8 · 4.9%
STEERING7 · 4.3%
SERVICE BRAKES7 · 4.3%

Percentages are the share of the 164 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 4 campaigns

Power Train:manual Transmission:floor Shift Assembly

NHTSA campaign 19E044000 · 2019 · reported 07/03/2019

If the shifter breaks while the vehicle is in motion, it can increase the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Power Train:manual Transmission

NHTSA campaign 16V302000 · 2016 · reported 05/16/2016

If the clutch diaphragm spring fails, the driver may not be able to shift gears or the vehicle may lose motive power, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Power Train:automatic Transmission

NHTSA campaign 15V291000 · 2015 · reported 05/18/2015

If the vehicle unexpectedly shifts to neutral, the loss of drive could increase the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift

NHTSA campaign 19V817000 · 2019 · reported 11/15/2019

If the shifter cable detaches from the transmission, the transmission may not shift into the gear selected by the driver. Additionally, despite selecting PARK with the shifter, the vehicle may roll away. These scenarios may increase the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FIAT 500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH. HE ALSO STATED…”NHTSA complaint 11327477 — filed 06/05/2020 · POWER TRAIN
“HELLO, I BELIEVE I NEED AN ATTORNEY AND LEGAL ADVICE. I HAVE A DEFECTIVE CAR THAT SHOWS ON THE FIAT DEALERSHIP WEBSITE AS A RECALL…”NHTSA complaint 11323015 — filed 05/02/2020 · POWER TRAIN
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FIAT 500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION SHIFTED INTO FIRST OR SECOND GEARS…”NHTSA complaint 11316573 — filed 03/06/2020 · POWER TRAIN

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

320131711201535342017222620192642021131020237620251

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2013 Fiat 500?

Power train issues are the most-reported category, cited in 77 of 164 NHTSA complaints (47%), followed by engine (22), unspecified/other issues (18), electrical system (16). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2013 Fiat 500 have?

164 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 9 involved a crash, 2 involved a fire, and 6 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2013 Fiat 500 have any recalls?

Yes — 4 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 19E044000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2013 Fiat 500's reported problems?

1 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page is backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.