VehicleVerdict

2013 Fiat 500 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 215 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 8.0 times the median 500 year — the 2013 model ranks #2 of 9 500 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Transmission leads the complaint categories with 78 reports (36% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

215

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

1

Investigations

14

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

9

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2013 compare to other 500 years?

500 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 highlighted537 complaints2011: 2 complaints2012: 537 complaints2013: 215 complaints2014: 172 complaints2015: 141 complaints2016: 27 complaints2017: 19 complaints2018: 5 complaints2019: 0 complaints
500 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all 500 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2013 Fiat 500 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission7836%
Engine2210%
Electrical System209%
Other188%
Fuel System126%
Body & Structure105%
Airbags105%
Lighting94%
Tires & Wheels73%
Steering73%
Brakes73%
Speed Control52%
Seat Belts42%
Visibility & Wipers31%
Suspension21%
Latches & Locks10%

Does the 2013 Fiat 500 have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

19V817000TransmissionNovember 15, 2019 · 51,788 units

Defect

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Fiat 500 vehicles equipped with 6-speed automatic transmissions. The shifter cable bushing may fail allowing the cable to detach from the transmission.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter cable adjuster, free of charge. The recall began January 9, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is VB4.

19E044000TransmissionJuly 3, 2019 · 740 units

Defect

DLT, LLC. is recalling certain CravenSpeed Fiat Short Shifter shafts sold for use in 2011-2019 Fiat 500 vehicles. The Shifter Shaft may have been improperly manufactured with a through hole for the set screw rather than a blind hole, which may lead to the breakage of the Shifter Shaft.

Consequence

If the shifter breaks while the vehicle is in motion, it can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

DLT has notified owners, and will provide a complete replacement shifter assembly with an updated shaft, free of charge. The recall began July 24, 2019. Owners may contact DLT customer service at 1-503-505-6886.

16V302000TransmissionMay 16, 2016 · 39,185 units

Defect

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2012-2016 Fiat 500 vehicles manufactured June 21, 2010, through January 12, 2016, equipped with a manual transmission. The clutch diaphragm spring may fracture and fail, causing an inability to switch gears.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

The remedy for this recall will include the installation of a clutch pedal limiter and a clutch pedal switch. The recall began on November 10, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S34.

15V291000TransmissionMay 18, 2015 · 3,851 units

Defect

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Fiat 500 battery electric vehicles manufactured March 8, 2013, to March 7, 2015. The Electric Vehicle Control Unit (EVCU) of the affected vehicles may set a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) that may cause the transmission to unexpectedly shift to neutral.

Consequence

If the vehicle unexpectedly shifts to neutral, the loss of drive could increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EVCU, free of charge. The recall began June 19, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R20.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL* 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.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · March 20, 2017 · fire

“TL* 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 THAT WHITE SMOKE HAD BEGAN EMITTING FROM THE ENGINE. DESPITE THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO HIS RESIDENCE. UPON INSPECTION, THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 16, 2019 · fire

“WIRING HARNESS BETWEEN THE CHASSIS AND THE TRUNK LID BREAKS. THERE ARE SEVERAL BROKEN WIRES. THIS IS CAUSING THE "CHECK LICENSE PLATE LIGHT" WARNING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE LICENSE PLATE LIGHT IS OUT WHICH IS A TICKET-ABLE OFFENSE WITH SURCHARGE IN THE STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS WHERE THE CAR IS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 31, 2017

“WE HAD A SEVERE ACCIDENT ON INTERSTATE 405 WHERE A LARGE SUV HIT US FROM BEHIND AT SPEED AND PUSHED US INTO A STATIONARY TRUCK. BOTH THE REAR AND FRONT OF THE CAR WERE SEVERELY DAMAGED. WE WERE MODERATELY INJURED. WERE GIVEN FIRST AID BY PARAMEDICS AND WE CHOSE NOT TO GO TO EMERGENCY AND GO TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · April 11, 2017 · crash

“MY 2013 FIAT ABARTH WAS REAR ENDED. I WAS STOPPED. THE OTHER DRIVER, IN A GRAND CHEROKEE, REAR ENDED ME. HIS SPEED WAS APPROXIMATELY 20-30 MPH. I WAS KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS BRIEFLY & HAD SEVERE HEAD PAIN. I AM STILL UNDERGOING TREATMENT. NONE OF MY CARS SAFETY FEATURES WORKED, INCLUDING THE FUEL PUMP…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · May 7, 2014 · crash

2013 Fiat 500 — common questions

Is the 2013 Fiat 500 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 215 complaints put the 2013 model at #2 of 9 500 years. It is one of the 500 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2013 500 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (78 complaints), engine (22 complaints), electrical system (20 complaints).

Does the 2013 Fiat 500 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2013 Fiat 500. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2013 Fiat 500 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Fiat 500 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the 500 years to avoid are 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015. The cleanest record among 500 years belongs to 2019.

How safe is the 2013 Fiat 500?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2013 Fiat 500 earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.