2015 Fiat 500 problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 31 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Fiat 500, most often about transmission & drivetrain. There are 3 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
31
Recalls
3
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Injuries
3
Median mileage
43,000 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Transmission & Drivetrain is the most-reported problem area, named in 10 of 31 complaints (32%).
  • Electrical System (9) and fuel, hybrid & EV propulsion (5) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 43,000 mi.
  • Owners reported 2 crashes, 1 fire and 3 injuries.
  • The 2015 Fiat 500 has 3 recalls on file.
  • NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation covering this vehicle.
  • It ranks 2nd of 7 Fiat 500 model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
  • That is 158% more complaints than the 2014 model year (12).

2015 Fiat 500 problems by category

  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    10 complaints
  • Electrical System · 1 crash
    9 complaints
  • Other / Unknown
    6 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion · 1 crash
    5 complaints
  • Seats & Seat Belts · 1 crash
    3 complaints
  • Engine · 1 crash
    3 complaints
  • Body & Structure
    2 complaints
  • Brakes
    2 complaints
  • Lighting
    2 complaints
  • Wheels & Tires
    1 complaints
  • Steering
    1 complaints
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control
    1 complaints
  • Visibility & Wipers
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Power train9
Electrical system9
Unknown or other6
Fuel/propulsion system5
Engine3
Seats2
Service brakes2
Latches/locks/linkages1

When problems happen (mileage)

1Under 10k310k–30k1030k–60k160k–100k100k–150k1150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2015 Fiat 500 complaints that list mileage.

2015 Fiat 500 recalls (3)

  • Recall 24V474000Jun 25, 202412,675 vehicles
    TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS

    Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Fiat 500 vehicles. The tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) warning light may not illuminate as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."

    Risk: A TPMS warning light that fails to illuminate can result in the vehicle being driven with improperly inflated tires, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the TPMS electronic control unit module, free of charge. Owners were mailed July 11, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 80B.

  • Recall 16V302000May 16, 201639,185 vehicles
    POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

    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.

    Risk: 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.

  • Recall 15V291000May 18, 20153,851 vehicles
    POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

    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.

    Risk: 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.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • EA19001Opened Apr 19, 2019Closed Sep 19, 2024led to recall 20V024

    Electrical overstress

    The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect.  During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manufactured by ZF-TRW.  The ECU receives signals from crash sensors mount…

Recent 2015 Fiat 500 complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Jan 6, 202642,000 miNYTransmission & Drivetrain
    The contact owns a 2015 Fiat 500. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH and attempting to downshift, the vehicle failed to respond as intended while the RPM continued to rev. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the gear shifter was significantly difficult to move up or down, causing difficulty in engaging the brake as needed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the manual transmission gear pin…
    NHTSA complaint #11709068 · source
  2. Filed Aug 26, 202554,000 miCATowedTransmission & Drivetrain
    The contact owns a 2015 Fiat 500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the manual transmission was unable to shift into gear. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the failure persisted. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The contact was informed that the clutch diaphragm spring and clutch assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After…
    NHTSA complaint #11683142 · source
  3. Filed Sep 8, 2024WITransmission & Drivetrain
    A recall has been open on this vehicle for over 5 years. I have been waiting for a year and 2 Fiat dealerships cannot complete the recall because the manufacturer has failed to manufacture a spring part for the repair. The spring has been back ordered since May 2023 for my order, but according to the Madison dealership, owners before me were waiting for 8+ months with no parts available. Recall info: Manufacturer Recall NumberS34 NHTSA Recall Number16V-302 Recall Status:…
    NHTSA complaint #11613343 · source
  4. Filed Mar 28, 202448,000 miNYTransmission & Drivetrain
    The contact owns a 2015 Fiat 500 Pop Hatchback. The contact received notification NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V302000 (Power Train) however, the parts to repair were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The local dealer was notified of the recall notice and confirmed that the parts were not available. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the manual clutch failed and the contact was unable to…
    NHTSA complaint #11579913 · source
  5. Filed Jan 31, 2024IAOther / Unknown
    The quality of the exterior door handle is an issue. My passenger side door handle has snapped completely off and my drivers side door handle has partially broken, but still functions. The rear door hatch also stopped working. The arm rests both broke rather easily as well. My last car was a 2013 fiat 500 pop and the exterior door handles both broke, the rear latch stopped working, and both arm rests broke. I live in Iowa and it gets extremely cold, but I'm unsure if that's…
    NHTSA complaint #11569028 · source
  6. Filed Jan 30, 2024CAOther / Unknown
    In March 2023 my wife was driving our Fiat 500 on the freeway and the sunroof exploded with a loud bang. Small pieces of glass shattered everywhere and fell all over here. The sound and glass caused her to swerve, luckily no other cars were around. We got insurance involved and sent the car to a body shop to get fixed. No one really knew what caused the problem, though they all suspected a pebble. There was no other evidence to suggest a pebble. In August 2023 when entering…
    NHTSA complaint #11568727 · source
  7. Filed Apr 3, 202352,000 miTXElectrical SystemLighting
    The contact owns a 2015 Fiat 500. The contact stated that upon having the vehicle inspected, the mechanic noticed that the front driver’s and passenger’s side headlamps had failed to operate. The brake warning light and the headlamp warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the mechanic reconnected the front driver’s and passenger’s side headlamp connector. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that after the vehicle was…
    NHTSA complaint #11515202 · source
  8. Filed Mar 30, 202348,204 miWITowedTransmission & Drivetrain
    The contact owns a 2015 Fiat 500. The contact stated that after driving at low speeds, upon parking the vehicle, the brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle was slow to respond while stopping. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer again to be diagnosed. The…
    NHTSA complaint #11514562 · source

Compare the 2015 Fiat 500 with another vehicle →

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology