VehicleVerdict

2015 Fiat 500L problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 29 complaints on file for the 2015 Fiat 500L — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

29

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2015 compare to other 500L years?

500L NHTSA complaints by model year, 2015 highlighted268 complaints2014: 268 complaints2015: 29 complaints2016: 2 complaints2017: 1 complaints
500L NHTSA complaints by model year, 2015 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all 500L years to avoid →

What are the most common 2015 Fiat 500L problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags517%
Transmission517%
Electrical System517%
Other414%
Engine27%
Steering27%
Brakes27%
Visibility & Wipers13%
Driver Assistance13%
Lighting13%
Speed Control13%

Does the 2015 Fiat 500L have recalls?

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

15V590000AirbagsSeptember 23, 2015 · 15 units

Defect

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2015 Fiat 500L vehicles manufactured April 23, 2015, to May 10, 2015. The affected vehicles may be equipped with a passenger frontal air bag that was not folded properly during the assembly process. As a result, the air bag may not deploy as designed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Consequence

In the event of a crash, if the air bag does not inflate as designed, the front seat occupant is at an increased risk of injury.

Remedy

Fiat will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began on October 15, 2015. Owners may contact Fiat customer service at 1-888-242-6342. Chrysler's number for this recall is R54.

14V481000AirbagsAugust 6, 2014 · 25,479 units

Defect

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Fiat 500L vehicles manufactured March 3, 2012, to July 25, 2014. Irregularities in the folding process during assembly of the driver's knee airbag may result in its improper deployment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Consequence

If the knee airbag air bag does not deploy properly during a crash, there is an increased risk of driver injury.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's knee air bag, free of charge. The recall began on September 26, 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P42.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“I JUST PURCHASED THE 2015 FIAT 500 L . I JUST HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR 5 MONTHS AND I HAVE NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. 1ST THE OIL RING NEED TO BE REPLACED, THEN MY FRONT CHARGER NOT WORK AND THEN IS PROGRESS TO LED REAR PASSENGER TAIL LIGHT WENT OUT AND NOW IS THE AIRBAG SERVICE LIGHT IS ON. RADIO KEEP…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · July 30, 2020

“Vehicle randomly stuck in park and will not move in reverse or drive, at one point was in drive and moving while saying gear not available. All the complaints of the 2014 models and mine was manufactured in 2014 but labeled a 2015. Fiat is quoting the repair at 3000- to over 10k while second…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 15, 2021

“HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY AT AROUND 5000 MILES. IT WOULD NOT HOLD CHARGE AND BE RANDOMLY DEAD USUALLY AFTER NOT USING CAR FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS. I REPLACED THE BATTERY WITH A TOP NAME BRAND AND HAVEN'T HAD AN ISSUE SINCE. I NOTICED WHEN I WAS LOOKING TO BUY EVERY FIAT 500L THAT THE DEALER WAS GOING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 1, 2015

“MY FIAT HAS NEARLY 5300 MILES, THE ENGINE STARTED TO EMIT A LOT OF WHITE SMOKE WHILE I WAS IN PARK AND HAD DRIVEN IT APPROXIMATE 15 MILES. I TURNED THE IGNITION OFF FOR 15 MINUTES, RESTARTED AND THE SMOKE AGAIN STARTED COMING OUT NEAR THE RADIATOR. ALSO THE AIR CONDITION STOPPED BLOWING COLD AIR. I…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · November 11, 2016

“HAVING PROBLEM WITH FRONT BRAKE SHUDDER AFTER ONLY 11,000 MILES. WILL PROBABLY REPLACE THEM MYSELF WITH SLOTTED AND DRILLED ROTORS TO DISSIPATE HEAT. WISH THEY WOULD RECALL AND FIX ALL THE ROTORS.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 1, 2015

2015 Fiat 500L — common questions

Is the 2015 Fiat 500L reliable?

The record is thin — 29 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2015 500L problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (5 complaints), airbags (5 complaints), transmission (5 complaints).

Does the 2015 Fiat 500L have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2015 Fiat 500L. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Fiat 500L years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the 500L years to avoid are 2014. The cleanest record among 500L years belongs to 2017.

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.