2016 Fiat 500X electrical system problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. 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
2. 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
3. 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
4. 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
5. Filed Jul 30, 2025NYElectrical SystemEngineOther / Unknown

   I am writing to you in regard to my 2016 FIAT 500X about multiple concerns. 1. There has been an open recall on the Emissions system since 2022. I immediately followed up and was put on a waitlist as I was told that the parts were on back order. I was told I was 27 on the waitlist. I followed up every 3-6 months for an update on getting the recall repaired but was told they have no update on the parts. It is now 2025 and my registration and inspection are expired. I was…

   NHTSA complaint #11677336 · source
6. Filed Apr 25, 2025ILDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical System

   Radio unit failed due to internal short which prevents the blind spot alert, parking sensors and backup camera to no longer function. Fiat no longer manufacturers the replacement part (P/N: 6RV00LXHAA) and states vehicle is not repairable. Car is less than 10 years old and has 25k miles but can no longer be safely operated due to the failed safety systems. Other than this issue car is essentially like new and could provide another decade of use but instead must be added to…

   NHTSA complaint #11656809 · source
7. Filed Jan 6, 202573,000 miNYElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2016 Fiat 500X. The contact stated while driving 30-35 MPH, several messages stating that the 4-WD system and the drive mode selector system were not available were displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where a computer software update was performed, per the manufacturer's recommendation; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the failure recurred upon starting the vehicle. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where the…

   NHTSA complaint #11634312 · source
8. Filed Dec 12, 2024WIElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain

   While driving, the vehicle will randomly shift to Neutral with a message appearing about shifting gears. When this happens I cannot accelerate or brake, and cannot shift gears. The only way to get the car to operate properly again is to turn the engine off and back on. Suddenly losing the ability to drive the car while on the road like this is definitely a safety risk, to me and other drivers. This has happened on three separate occasions for me. I took it to a dealership…

   NHTSA complaint #11630317 · source
9. Filed Sep 24, 2024KSElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain

   Driving on the highway approximately 55 MPH and the vehicle went automatically went into neutral thankfully I was able to pull off to the shoulder. I put it in park and shut the vehicle off and turned it back on again, when I shifted into drive it felt like somebody just picked up the car and dropped it. This has been an ongoing issue. Dealerships don’t know what it is. I’ve done research on this specific vehicle from other owners and they have been experiencing the same…

   NHTSA complaint #11616211 · source
10. Filed May 21, 2024SCElectrical SystemEngineSteering

    The day after we had a bad storm, my car's electrical system went haywire. I was driving to work and all kinds of warning lights started flashing. Then when I came to a stop sign, stopped, then proceed to go again the car car would not go. I was still in drive but the car would not go when I pressed the pedal. So I put the car in park then back in drive and it started driving again. Then a warning came on about my power steering. I get further down the road to a stop light.…

    NHTSA complaint #11589850 · source
11. Filed Sep 28, 2023TNElectrical System

    2016 Fiat 500X started but would not turn off. I’ve had to get it towed out of work, my batter has died from it being on all night and a day as well. Ive had to get my coworkers to help me out and take my home after it died. The only signal I got prior was a keyless entry. I changed the batter on my key and nothing worked! I would not drive my car far in fear that it would do this far from my job or home! Dealer says that the RF Module is bad due to water leaking into the…

    NHTSA complaint #11547222 · source
12. Filed Jul 11, 2023VTElectrical SystemOther / UnknownAcceleration & Cruise Control

    April 2023 - While driving at ~ 35mph multiple warning light on the dashboard came on, (including traction control, AWD needs service, drive mode unavailable, emergency brake and several others) the speedometer stopped working (both the digital and analog) and a sluggish sensation was immediate (like the brakes were applied rapidly.) The car was stopped and further investigation showed that the rear brake lights were on, seemingly indicating that the brakes were engaged…

    NHTSA complaint #11531563 · source

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