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2014 Fiat 500L

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

125 reports with mileage · 58 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 123 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports5 fire reports3 injury reports

Power Train complaints

123 reports
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35,000 miles · Jun 21, 2017
Power TrainSteeringVehicle Speed Control

WHEN THE CAR IS ON A DOWN SLOPE AND YOU SHIFT TO REVERSE THE CAR WILL LEAP FORWARD AND ON AN UPSLOPE SHIFTING INTO DRIVE IT ROLLS FREELY BACKWARDS. IN THE LATEST INCIDENT WE WERE ON HWY 101 IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WAITING IN A LINE IN A CONSTRUCTION ZONE TRAFFIC DELAY. WHEN WE SHIFTED FROM PARK INTO DRIVE THE CAR ACCELERATED BACKWAR…

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WHEN THE CAR IS ON A DOWN SLOPE AND YOU SHIFT TO REVERSE THE CAR WILL LEAP FORWARD AND ON AN UPSLOPE SHIFTING INTO DRIVE IT ROLLS FREELY BACKWARDS. IN THE LATEST INCIDENT WE WERE ON HWY 101 IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WAITING IN A LINE IN A CONSTRUCTION ZONE TRAFFIC DELAY. WHEN WE SHIFTED FROM PARK INTO DRIVE THE CAR ACCELERATED BACKWARDS . FORTUNATELY THE CAR BEHIND US HAD LEFT AMPLE SPACE. IT ALSO HAPPENED PARKING ON A HILL IN SAN FRANCISCO AND FORTUNATELY THERE WAS ONLY A CURB IN BACK. THE MOVEMENT IS NOT LIKE WHAT HAPPENS IN A MANUAL SHIFT CAR. IT FEELS AS IF IT IS ACCELERATING IN THE DIRECTION OPPOSITE TO THE INTENDED. THE OTHER PROBLEM IS IN THE STEERING. WE WERE ON A VERY TIGHT WINDING ROAD HWY20. DRIVING FROM WILLETS TO FT. BRAGG AND BACK AND THE STEERING WHEEL STIFFENED AND RESISTED TURNING IN THESE TIGHT CURVES. IT FELT AS IF THE POWER STEERING WAS FAILING OR THE STEERING WHEEL WAS IN DANGER OF LOCKING. I JUST TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AND WAS GIVEN A WARNING FROM CHRYSLER THAT THE '(HSA) MAY NOT ACTIVATE AND SLIGHT ROLLING MAY OCCUR'. THE ROLLING IS NOT SLIGHT AND IN HEAVY TRAFFIC OR ON MOUNTAIN SIDES JUST PLAIN DANGEROUS. THE STEERING PROBLEM DID NOT MANIFEST ITSELF TO THE TECH. THIS CAR HAS HAD A NUMBER OF POTENTIALLY DEADLY PROBLEMS. THESE BEING THE MOST RECENT. IT TOOK THE RECALL, AFTER TWO YEARS AND FOUR TRIPS TO THE DEALER, TO ADDRESS THE THROTTLE PROBLEM WHICH WAS TERRIFYING. LOSING CONTROL OF THE THROTTLE ON A 8 LANE HWY IN HEAVY 75 MPH TRAFFIC IS HEART STOPPING.THIS CAR HAS SERIOUSLY FLAWED ENGINEERING. CHRYSLER IS NOT ACCEPTING ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS LATEST PROBLEM. THE CAR IS NOT SAFE.

NHTSA ODI #11000534

52,367 miles · Jun 2, 2017
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

I PURCHASED THIS CAR 02/2016 WITH 42K MILES AND IT HAS BEEN TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP 11 TIMES WHILE I WAS IN CALIFORNIA AND I HAD TO DRIVE IT TO TEXAS FOR CANCER TREATMENTS AND IT HAS BEEN TOWED IN 4 TIMES THE DEALERSHIP HAD IT 2 WEEKS GOT IT TODAY DROVE 6 MILES AND THE SAME PROBLEM THEY NOW SAY IT THE TRANSMISSION IT'S BEEN THE …

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I PURCHASED THIS CAR 02/2016 WITH 42K MILES AND IT HAS BEEN TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP 11 TIMES WHILE I WAS IN CALIFORNIA AND I HAD TO DRIVE IT TO TEXAS FOR CANCER TREATMENTS AND IT HAS BEEN TOWED IN 4 TIMES THE DEALERSHIP HAD IT 2 WEEKS GOT IT TODAY DROVE 6 MILES AND THE SAME PROBLEM THEY NOW SAY IT THE TRANSMISSION IT'S BEEN THE SAME PROBLEM FROM DAY 1 NO ONE IS REPAIRING THIS CAR AS BEING UNSAFE TO DRIVE

NHTSA ODI #10992786

33,000 miles · Nov 29, 2016
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

THE CAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING AND THE ENGINE REVS HIGH WHILE GIVING GAS AS IF IT WAS NEUTRAL GEAR. LOSES POWER ON THE FREEWAY. FEELS LIKE IT SLIPS OUT IF GEAR. IT'S HARD TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10928586

922 miles · Nov 22, 2014
Power TrainService BrakesCrash

I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AT 10MPH. I ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE CAR TO PARK. THE BRAKE JAMMED AND THE ENGINE REVVED .I REPEATEDLY PRESSED ON THE BRAKE AND IT WOULD NOT GO DOWN.IT WAS A VERY SMALL ENCLOSED PARKING LOT AND NOT MUCH SPACE TO MOVE. I HIT THE PARKING BARRIER CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END BECAUSE THERE WAS NO WHERE EL…

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I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AT 10MPH. I ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE CAR TO PARK. THE BRAKE JAMMED AND THE ENGINE REVVED .I REPEATEDLY PRESSED ON THE BRAKE AND IT WOULD NOT GO DOWN.IT WAS A VERY SMALL ENCLOSED PARKING LOT AND NOT MUCH SPACE TO MOVE. I HIT THE PARKING BARRIER CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END BECAUSE THERE WAS NO WHERE ELSE TO GO .RADIATOR FLUID POURED OUT OF THE VEHICLE. MY MOTHER WAS WITH ME IN THE CAR AND WITNESSED THIS ACCIDENT. SHE DROVE THE CAR TO A CLOSE AUTO MECHANIC AS I WAS DISTRAUGHT. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10660273

7,239 miles · Sep 16, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

WAS NOT ABLE TO PUT THE GEAR ON REVERSE. CHECK TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE ALERT CAME ON. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE STUDIO SINCE AUGUST 14,2014 AND IT'S STILL NOT FIXED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10633797

3,803 miles · Jul 18, 2014
EnginePower Train

10 INCIDENTS SO FAR! 1: THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. DROVE CAR AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HESITATES WHEN ACCELERATING. BACKFIRES ON ACCELERATION. 2: SAME ISSUE DAYS AFTER 'REPAIR' COMPLETED. THIS TIME THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY 3: SAME ISSUE AS #1 WEEKS AFTER 'REPAIR' COMPLETED ON #2. THIS TIME T…

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10 INCIDENTS SO FAR! 1: THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. DROVE CAR AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HESITATES WHEN ACCELERATING. BACKFIRES ON ACCELERATION. 2: SAME ISSUE DAYS AFTER 'REPAIR' COMPLETED. THIS TIME THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY 3: SAME ISSUE AS #1 WEEKS AFTER 'REPAIR' COMPLETED ON #2. THIS TIME THE RPM'S GO VERY HIGH WHEN IT AUTOMATICALLY SHIFTS OR PRESS ON ACCELERATOR 4: ENGINE MAKES GRINDING NOISE WHEN SHIFTING. DEALER SAID NOISE WAS NORMAL BUT THEN FIXED IT IN INCIDENT #5. 5: GRINDING NOISE ON ACCELERATION. CAR WILL NOT MOVE WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE. ANOTHER TIME WHEN SHIFTING TO DRIVE, CAR WENT IN REVERSE. 6: RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION. THOUGHT THIS WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM BUT IT CONTINUED. 7: SHIFTED FROM PARK TO DRIVE. CAR WENT BACKWARD AND HIT A POLE. 8: BACK WHEELS SUSPENSION HAS A LOUD NOISE GOING OVER BUMPS. LEFT REAR SPRING AND TOP MOUNT FELL OUT OF PLACE. 9: VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. SHIFTER IS NOT WORKING AT ALL. HAD TO CALL ROADSIDE TO TOW IT TO DEALERSHIP. 10: VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK AGAIN. SHIFTER IS NOT WORKING AT ALL. HAD TO CALL ROADSIDE TO TOW TO DEALERSHIP. TOTAL DAYS IN THE SHOP SINCE 8/30/2013 THROUGH 07/18/2014 IS 46+. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10614480

1,000 miles · Jun 17, 2014
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FIAT 500L. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSE BY A SOFTWARE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FIAT 500L. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSE BY A SOFTWARE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,000.

NHTSA ODI #10598966

6,000 miles · Jun 10, 2014
Power TrainCrashInjury

DRIVING TO GO HOME, VEHICLE WON'T SHIFT AND UNEXPECTED DIRECTION AND LOSS OF POWER CAUSING VEHICLE AND MYSELF TO COLLIDE WITH LIGHT POLE. VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. GAS PEDAL STUCK AND TRANSMISSION HAD VERY SLOW SELECTIONS. VEHICLE HAD FLASHING CONTROL LIGHTS BEFORE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. MY VEHICLE ACTED LIKE IT FROZE UP AND LOSS OF…

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DRIVING TO GO HOME, VEHICLE WON'T SHIFT AND UNEXPECTED DIRECTION AND LOSS OF POWER CAUSING VEHICLE AND MYSELF TO COLLIDE WITH LIGHT POLE. VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. GAS PEDAL STUCK AND TRANSMISSION HAD VERY SLOW SELECTIONS. VEHICLE HAD FLASHING CONTROL LIGHTS BEFORE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. MY VEHICLE ACTED LIKE IT FROZE UP AND LOSS OF POWER AND DIDN'T SHIFT CORRECTLY CAUSING ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10597419

79 miles · Jun 6, 2014
EnginePower Train

AUTO DUAL DRY CLUTCH TRANSMISSION. MANUFACTURED 7/2013, PURCHASED NEW FROM DEALER 1/14. CAR SHUDDERED AND HESITATED ON THE TEST DRIVE. TOLD IT WOULD SMOOTH OUT BECAUSE IT WAS AN ADAPTIVE TRANSMISSION. CONTINUED TO SHUDDER, HESITATE AND LURCH. BROUGHT BACK TO THE DEALER 3 DAYS AFTER PURCHASE. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN 5 TIMES S…

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AUTO DUAL DRY CLUTCH TRANSMISSION. MANUFACTURED 7/2013, PURCHASED NEW FROM DEALER 1/14. CAR SHUDDERED AND HESITATED ON THE TEST DRIVE. TOLD IT WOULD SMOOTH OUT BECAUSE IT WAS AN ADAPTIVE TRANSMISSION. CONTINUED TO SHUDDER, HESITATE AND LURCH. BROUGHT BACK TO THE DEALER 3 DAYS AFTER PURCHASE. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN 5 TIMES SINCE AND STILL IS NOT FIXED. THE DEALER WILL NO LONGER TAKE THE CAR FOR SERVICE AND SAID THE CAR WILL NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY DURING HEAVY, STOP AND GO TRAFFIC AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. THE RECALL WAS COMPLETED BUT IT DID NOT HELP. THEY SUGGESTED WE CONTACT FIAT CUSTOMER CARE WHO HAS OPENED A CASE BUT NOT RESPONDED AND NOT RETURNING PHONE CALLS. CAR IS UNUSED BECAUSE IT IS UNSAFE. IT LURCHES CONSTANTLY AND BARELY MISSES HITTING OTHER CARS IN TRAFFIC. TIMELINE: 1. TEST DRIVE SHUDDERED AND HESITATED, TOLD IT WOULD GET BETTER WITH DRIVING. 2. DAY 3 TOOK TO DEALER. SAID IT WAS SPARK PLUGS AND CHANGED OUT ALL PLUGS. CAR CONTINUES TO STUTTER, CLUTCH OVERHEAT, LURCHING. 3. DEALER TRIP, THEY SAID IT WAS "JUST THE WAY THE TRANSMISSIONS ARE AND THEY'RE SORRY BUT THERE ISN'T ANYTHING THEY CAN DO." CAR CONTINUES TO STOP, NOT SHIFT IN TO GEAR, LURCH, CLUTCH OVERHEATING. 4. RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE. ALL SERVICE PERFORMED. 5. 24 HOURS LATER, CAR NOT FUNCTIONING, BACK TO THE DEALER. DEALER REDID SOFTWARE INSTALLATION, REPLACED BRAKES, CLUTCH AND FLY WHEEL. 6. 48 HOURS LATER CLUTCH OVERHEATS, NEARLY HITS THE CAR IN FRONT OF US IN TRAFFIC. DEALER REFUSES TO ACCEPT CAR IN FOR SERVICE, SAID "THIS TRANSMISSION WILL NOT FUNCTION IN HEAVY STOP AND START TRAFFIC. YOU NEED TO CONTACT FIAT, THERE IS NOTHING MORE WE CAN DO FOR YOU." 7. FIAT CUSTOMER CARE SAYS THEY WILL OPEN A CASE ON MAY 30, 2014. NO RESPONSES SINCE. DANGEROUS VEHICLE SHOULD BE TAKEN BACK AND REFUNDED OR EXCHANGED WITH A MODEL MANUFACTURED AFTER JANUARY 2014. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10596670

13,100 miles · May 30, 2014
Power Train

THE GEAR SHIFTER WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF DRIVE. I HAVE HAD THIS PART REPLACED AND WORKED ON 3 DIFFERENT TIMES. IN FACT ONE OF THE TIMES WAS FOR THE RECALL. THE 2 TIMES PRIOR TO THIS THE VEHICLE WAS INOPERABLE AND LEFT ME STRANDED. I HAVE CURRENTLY HAD THE VEHICLE IN THE SHOP 6 TIMES FOR VARIOUS ISSUES AND HAVE OWNED THE CAR L…

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THE GEAR SHIFTER WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF DRIVE. I HAVE HAD THIS PART REPLACED AND WORKED ON 3 DIFFERENT TIMES. IN FACT ONE OF THE TIMES WAS FOR THE RECALL. THE 2 TIMES PRIOR TO THIS THE VEHICLE WAS INOPERABLE AND LEFT ME STRANDED. I HAVE CURRENTLY HAD THE VEHICLE IN THE SHOP 6 TIMES FOR VARIOUS ISSUES AND HAVE OWNED THE CAR LESS THAN A YEAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10595207

Official recalls

3

17V192000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

Mar 21, 2017

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014 Fiat 500L vehicles. The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software calibration maybe incorrect, limiting the engine to idle speed and torque even when accelerator pedal is fully pressed.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the vehicle does not accelerate as expected, there may be an increased risk of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the PCM software, free of charge. The recall began April 13, 2017. Owners may the Fiat Information Center at 1-888-242-6342. Chrysler's number for this recall is T19.

14V481000 · Air Bags:knee Bolster

Aug 6, 2014

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 & remedy

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.

14V103000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Mar 4, 2014

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2014 Fiat 500L vehicles manufactured April 5, 2013, through January 22, 2014. In certain temperatures, moving the transmission shift lever may have a delayed effect or no effect on selecting a transmission gear.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If there is no effect, the vehicle might not shift out of the Park position. If there is a delayed effect, the vehicle may move in an unintended or unexpected direction, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter module or update the shifter software, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 31, 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number associated with this recall is P06.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.