While in motion, vehicle would not shift out of 2nd gear -- up or down. I also tried shifting manually without success. I stopped vehicle on side of road. When I attempted to restart vehicle, it would not start -- no engine cranking. After 10 minutes, something was felt disengaging and vehicle started and was driven without incident to dealership for repair. Another 500L loaner car was provided and the next day, the exact same thing happened to it. It would not shift out of 2nd gear. Car and driver also released their review in February with similar issues and many others have reported the problem online. The manufacturer has stated that it is a known software issue that cannot be released without epa approval. This vehicle is not only unreliable, but unsafe.

- Spotsylvania, VA, USA

We've been dealing with this issue since before christmas with our new Fiat 500. I was able to drive it for a couple of weeks with the check engine light staying on, and once in a while the shifter panel lights flashing for about 30 seconds before I was able to drive it while we waited for parts. It took two weeks for the dealership to get a new control module in, first they got a module that didn't work, then they got one that did work and we thought it was fixed. Last night my wife is driving home from work on the expressway and suddenly the "no gear found" error pops up on the the dashboard display, the transmission disengaged into neutral. No acceleration whatsoever. The engine is still running, the brakes work, the lights are on, but no gears. She was able to coast to the shoulder, called a tow truck and got it back to the dealership. We are waiting on parts again.

- Madison, WI, USA

Car does not shift from park to drive. Instrument panel relays many warnings (gear not available, transmission warning, seek service) and check engine light comes on. This is occurring daily now and Fiat does not have a fix. Codes can be cleared by the dealership and the transmission module is where the warnings are stored. I have been told it is safe to drive. I have been told to let the car warm up for 2 minutes before putting it into drive.

- New Baltimore, MI, USA