2016 Fiat 500X problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 87 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Fiat 500X, most often about transmission & drivetrain. There is 1 recall for this model year.

Complaints
87
Recalls
1
Crashes
3
Fires
1
Injuries
4
Median mileage
65,000 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Transmission & Drivetrain is the most-reported problem area, named in 28 of 87 complaints (32%).
  • Engine (28) and electrical system (26) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 65,000 mi.
  • Owners reported 3 crashes, 1 fire and 4 injuries.
  • The 2016 Fiat 500X has 1 recall on file.
  • It has the most serious complaint record of all 6 Fiat 500X model years we track.

2016 Fiat 500X problems by category

  • 28 complaints
  • 28 complaints
  • 26 complaints
  • Other / Unknown
    22 complaints
  • Lighting
    7 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
    7 complaints
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control
    5 complaints
  • Airbags · 3 crashes
    4 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    4 complaints
  • Steering
    3 complaints
  • Body & Structure
    3 complaints
  • Brakes
    2 complaints
  • Suspension
    2 complaints
  • Seats & Seat Belts
    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
Engine28
Power train27
Electrical system24
Unknown or other22
Exterior lighting6
Vehicle speed control5
Electronic stability control (esc)4
Air bags4

When problems happen (mileage)

Under 10k310k–30k1530k–60k2060k–100k3100k–150k150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2016 Fiat 500X complaints that list mileage.

2016 Fiat 500X recalls (1)

  • Recall 16V529000Jul 12, 2016329,540 vehicles
    POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

    Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Jeep Cherokee and 2015 Chrysler 200, Jeep Renegade, RAM ProMaster, and 2016 Fiat 500X vehicles equipped with 9-speed automatic transmissions. The transmission sensor clusters may have insufficient crimps in the transmission wire harness, and as a result, the transmission may unexpectedly shift to neutral. On August 29, 2016 Chrysler added the 2016 Fiat 500X vehicles to this recall.

    Risk: If the vehicle unexpectedly shifts to neutral, there is an increased risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, dealers will reprogram the Powertrain Control Module and the Transmission Control Module and if necessary replace the transaxle range sensor wire harness, free of charge. The recall began on November 7, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S55.

Recent 2016 Fiat 500X complaints

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

  1. Filed Jun 26, 202696,000 miMICrashFire3 injuredTowedAirbags
    The contact owns a 2016 Fiat 500X. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH through a green light, another vehicle driving through a red light and attempting to make a turn, the front bumper of the contact’s vehicle crashed into the front passenger’s side door. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact exited the vehicle safely and had a passenger in the front passenger-side seat and another in the rear middle row seat. The contact was adamant that…
    NHTSA complaint #11746740 · source
  2. Filed Jun 16, 2026CAElectrical SystemEngine
    3 times my car had died going under 30 mph, it must turns off or goes into this neutral position and won’t let me change gears, when i restart it, the engine makes an awful squealing sound. all these “drive mode unavailable “ “check esc system” “service electronic brake” it seems it is related to the S55 / 16V529000 safety defect …. “intermittent switch to neutral while driving”
    NHTSA complaint #11744651 · source
  3. Filed Jun 15, 202680,000 miUTBrakesElectrical System
    The contact owns a 2016 Fiat 500X. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle using the Push-to-Start button, the engine failed to crank or start. The vehicle was started after the fifteenth attempt. Additionally, the contact stated that the brake pedal was extremely firm and difficult to depress while attempting to start the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but the cause of the failure was not determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The…
    NHTSA complaint #11744260 · source
  4. Filed May 11, 2026NCElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain
    I was driving vehicle and it all of a sudden get stuck in gear in either park gear or some other gear that wont allow me to turn engine off. Sometimes it just slow down to a stop and will not go into gear again for a while or appears the gears are not engaging putting me at risk for accident on highway. Once it slowed down in traffic and I nearly got hit trying to drive it off the highway. The gears were not engaging putting me at risk of many vehicles hitting me. I was…
    NHTSA complaint #11737019 · source
  5. Filed Mar 23, 2026INOther / Unknown
    I received a letter stating that there was a recall emissions/catalyst efficiency,I have called a fiat dealership several times to get this fixed and it never did, now I am seeing that there is no recall now. So I'm confused on what's going on. U90 is the emissions recall number.and letter said there are others w80
    NHTSA complaint #11726453 · source
  6. Filed Jan 16, 2026PAOther / Unknown
    I am submitting this complaint to report a failure related to an emissions recall repair. The vehicle identified by VIN [XXX] was fully operable, properly maintained, and in excellent condition prior to an emissions recall repair performed by an authorized dealership. Immediately after the recall “fix” was completed, the vehicle began experiencing serious operational problems and became undrivable. The servicing dealership towed the vehicle and attempted an additional…
    NHTSA complaint #11711355 · source
  7. Filed Jan 12, 2026144,000 miFLElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain
    The contact owns a 2016 Fiat 500X. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission unintendedly shifted from drive(D) to neutral(N). The RPM became elevated; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. While driving approximately 15 - 20 MPH, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. While in LIMP Mode, the contact coasted to the side of the road and waited for several minutes before continuing to drive. The failure had occurred twice.…
    NHTSA complaint #11710295 · source
  8. Filed Jan 2, 2026NCTransmission & Drivetrain
    Car suddenly slowed down while driving on Christmas Day. This was a very unsafe situation because I was on the highway in traffic traveling at 70 miles per hour and the car suddenly slowed down which could have resulted in an accident leading to harm. A warning light then came on to service transmission right as the car slowed down. I Tried to step on the gas pedal and it would not accelerate. There was no warning light prior to this incident. The car was towed to the…
    NHTSA complaint #11708302 · source

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 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