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Fiat Car Guide: Common Problems, Maintenance & Best Used Models

What Fiat owners report most, model by model, drawn from 1,323 complaints filed with the U.S. safety regulator. Plus recalls, a service schedule and the model years to check carefully.

Data as of 2012 to 2026 model years

Quick facts

Fiat

Origin
Italian
Status
Sold new in the U.S.
Most complaints
500 (810)
Most-reported area
Powertrain
Busiest model year
2012 (396 complaints)
owner complaints on file with NHTSA
1,323
models with at least one complaint
5
of complaints mention powertrain
44%
recall campaigns covering the 500
7

01Common problems by model

Fiat Common Problems by Model

The 5 Fiat models with the most owner complaints, and the part of the car each complaint was about.

Fiat models with the most NHTSA complaints, 2012 to 2026 model years
ModelComplaintsMost-reported areasModel year with the mostRecalls
500810Powertrain and electrical system2012 (396)7
500L209Powertrain and engine2014 (183)4
500X187Engine and electrical system2016 (154)6
124 Spider65Airbags and electrical system2017 (32)2
500E52Electrical system and fuel or propulsion system2013 (16)6
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls databases, read on October 12, 2026. Complaints are reports filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each model were sold, so best-selling models appear higher.

The 500 leads with 810 complaints, most of them about powertrain and electrical system. That does not make it the worst Fiat. A model that sells in large numbers collects more reports, and these counts are not adjusted for sales.

Use the table to know where to look. If you own or are buying one of these models, ask about the area in the third column first, and price the repair with the repair cost estimator.

02Problem areas

Where Fiat Problems Concentrate

Every Fiat complaint names the part of the vehicle involved. These are the areas named most often across all 5 models.

By part of the vehicle

  1. Powertrain583 · 44%
  2. Electrical system263 · 20%
  3. Engine223 · 17%
  4. Airbags103 · 8%
  5. Fuel or propulsion system80 · 6%
  6. Speed control65 · 5%

One complaint can name more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.

By model year

  1. 2012396
  2. 2013181
  3. 2014323
  4. 2015126
  5. 2016174
  6. 201762
  7. 201832
  8. 201912
  9. 202010
  10. 20222
  11. 20245

Recent model years have had less time to gather complaints, so a short bar at the bottom is not yet good news.

03Best and worst used models

Fiat Model Years to Check Carefully

The model years of each popular model that drew the most complaints. Start your questions there when you shop used.

How to choose a used car

  • 810 complaints

    Fiat 500

    1. 2012396 complaints
      4 recalls
    2. 2013165 complaints
      4 recalls
    3. 2014124 complaints
      4 recalls

    Mostly about powertrain and electrical system.

  • 209 complaints

    Fiat 500L

    1. 2014183 complaints
      3 recalls
    2. 201523 complaints
      2 recalls
    3. 20162 complaints

    Mostly about powertrain and engine.

  • 187 complaints

    Fiat 500X

    1. 2016154 complaints
      1 recall
    2. 201715 complaints
      1 recall
    3. 201811 complaints
      1 recall

    Mostly about engine and electrical system.

  • 65 complaints

    Fiat 124 Spider

    1. 201732 complaints
      1 recall
    2. 201816 complaints
      1 recall
    3. 20199 complaints
      2 recalls

    Mostly about airbags and electrical system.

A year with many complaints is one to inspect closely, not one to rule out. The fault may have been fixed under recall, and a well-maintained car from a busy year can be a better buy than a neglected one from a quiet year.

Before you buy any used Fiat, decode the VIN, check it for open recalls and follow the inspection checklist. A complaint count cannot tell you about the one car in front of you.

04Recalls

Fiat Recalls by Model

The number of safety recall campaigns that cover each model, with the most recent ones listed.

  • Fiat 500 recalls

    7

    recall campaigns, 2012 to 2018 model years

    1. Jun 25, 2024Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems24V474000
    2. Nov 15, 2019Powertrain: automatic transmission19V817000
    3. Jul 3, 2019Powertrain: manual transmission19E044000
    4. Sep 15, 2016Equipment: other16V667000
    5. May 16, 2016Powertrain: manual transmission16V302000

  • Fiat 500L recalls

    4

    recall campaigns, 2014 to 2017 model years

    1. Mar 21, 2017Powertrain: automatic transmission17V192000
    2. Sep 23, 2015Airbags: frontal15V590000
    3. Aug 6, 2014Airbags: knee bolster14V481000
    4. Mar 4, 2014Powertrain: automatic transmission14V103000

  • Fiat 500X recalls

    6

    recall campaigns, 2016 to 2022 model years

    1. Jul 3, 2024Airbags: frontal24V510000
    2. Dec 19, 2019Hydraulic brakes: foundation components19V909000
    3. Apr 10, 2019Airbags: air bag/restraint control module19V287000
    4. Aug 9, 2018Electrical system: wiring18V524000
    5. Mar 7, 2017Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems17V146000

  • Fiat 124 Spider recalls

    2

    recall campaigns, 2017 to 2020 model years

    1. Sep 18, 2024Airbags: air bag/restraint control module24V694000
    2. Nov 12, 2021Fuel system: delivery21V879000
Check your VIN at NHTSA

A recall is free to have repaired at a Fiat dealer. The lookup shows only the recalls still open on your vehicle.

05Maintenance schedule

Fiat Maintenance Schedule

Typical service intervals for a gasoline Fiat. Your owner’s manual has the exact figures for your engine.

Build a schedule for your mileage
Typical maintenance intervals for a Fiat
ServiceTypical intervalGood to know
Engine oil and filter5,000 to 10,000 milesFull synthetic sits at the long end. Short trips and towing shorten it.
Tire rotation5,000 to 8,000 milesEasiest to do at every oil change.
Cabin air filter15,000 to 30,000 milesSooner in dusty or high-pollen areas.
Engine air filter15,000 to 30,000 milesInspect at every oil change and replace when dirty.
Brake fluidEvery 2 years or 30,000 milesIt absorbs moisture with age, whatever the mileage.
Transmission fluid30,000 to 60,000 milesVaries widely, and some manuals allow longer. Use only the specified fluid.
Engine coolant30,000 to 60,000 milesLong-life coolants can go further. Never mix types.
Drive belt inspection60,000 to 100,000 milesReplace at the first cracks, fraying or squeal.
Timing belt, if fitted60,000 to 100,000 milesEngines with a timing chain do not have this service.
Spark plugs30,000 to 100,000 milesCopper plugs wear fastest. Iridium and platinum last longest.
Typical intervals drawn from AAA's maintenance guidance, not Fiat's own schedule. Follow the schedule in your owner's manual, and use its severe-service intervals if you tow, make short trips or drive in extreme heat or cold.
Maintenance by mileageOil change calculatorWhat each service costs

06Manufacturer OBD2 codes

Fiat OBD2 Codes

How to read the codes a Fiat stores, and why some of them mean something different on another make.

A Fiat stores two kinds of trouble code. Generic codes, which have 0 as their second character, mean the same thing on every make: P0420 is a catalyst efficiency fault on a Fiat exactly as it is on any other car. Manufacturer-specific codes, which have 1 as their second character, are defined by Fiat and can mean something different elsewhere.

We do not publish a list of Fiat’s own P1 codes, because we could not verify one against Fiat’s service information. For a P1 code, use a scanner that reads Fiat codes, or ask a Fiat dealer to look it up.

Free toolLook up a generic codeMeaning, common causes and whether it is safe to keep driving.
How OBD2 code types work

07Related guides and tools

Next steps for Fiat owners and buyers.

Guides

Free tools

All car brandsUsed car buying guide

08Questions

Fiat: common questions.

What are the most common Fiat problems?

Among 2012 to 2026 model-year Fiat vehicles, the areas owners report most often to NHTSA are powertrain (44% of complaints), electrical system (20% of complaints) and engine (17% of complaints). A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect.

Which Fiat model has the most complaints?

The 500, with 810 complaints on file for 2012 to 2026 model years. Its 2012 model year has the most, at 396. Popular models attract more complaints simply because more of them are on the road.

How do I check a Fiat for recalls?

Enter the 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls. It shows safety recalls that have not been repaired on that exact vehicle, and recall repairs are carried out by the manufacturer's dealers at no charge.

How often does a Fiat need servicing?

Most gasoline cars need an oil change and tire rotation every 5,000 to 10,000 miles, filters every 15,000 to 30,000 miles and brake fluid every two years. Your Fiat owner's manual gives the exact schedule for your engine.

09About this guide

Where the figures come from.

Every count on this page comes from records published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and was read on . We count the records. We do not reproduce owners’ statements, and we do not rate or rank models ourselves.

CarTipsMentor is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by Fiat. The Fiat name and logo belong to their owner and are used only to identify the make. Full disclaimer.

Sources

  1. [1]National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Vehicle owner complaints database
  2. [2]National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Safety recalls by vehicle
  3. [3]AAA Automotive, Time-Stamped Car Maintenance Checklist

Complaint counts cover 2012 to 2026 model years. Each complaint is counted once and assigned to the model named in the complaint. Counts change as new complaints are filed.