10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
20,496 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2016 Fiat 500 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2016 Fiat 500:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2016 Fiat 500 Owner Comments

problem #8

Jul 112023

500

  • 53,350 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2016 Fiat 500. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the transmission was slipping, and the vehicle lost motive power. No warning light was illuminated. The failure recurred several times. The contact restarted the vehicle and forcefully shifted the transmission into 2nd gear to prevent losing motive power. The contact was able to drive to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 53,350.

- Bear, DE, USA

problem #7

May 062022

500

  • miles
Passenger side drive axle failed on 2016 500e with only 35650 miles but no longer under warranty. Method of failure: Bolts holding axle to transmission sheered resulting in a loss of power. Car was brought to Orange County Chrysler for repair. Dealer informed me that there was a Chrysler Recall N51 for 2013 Fiat 500e for the same problem, but it didn't apply to my year. Numerous blogs on the internet show similar failures for newer models. A sound engineering fix should be developed and implemented as a Safety Recall.

- Mission Viejo, CA, USA

problem #6

Aug 192019

500 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 12,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Fiat 500. While driving 45 mph, the manual clutch failed and prevented the contact from changing gears. As a result, the contact drove into a cement barrier to avoid traffic. The driver and passenger frontal air bags failed to deploy, causing the contact's head to strike the steering wheel. The contact injured her neck, left shoulder, and left foot. The contact was transported to the hospital by family members. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The cause of the failure was not determined. The approximate failure mileage was 12,000.

- Thompsons, TX, USA

problem #5

Mar 012019

500

  • 67,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2016 Fiat 500. While driving various speeds, the vehicle shifted into neutral without warning and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. An independent mechanic diagnosed that the wire harness and power train control module needed to be repaired. The contact scheduled an appointment with acadiana Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram Fiat (1700 sw evangeline thruway, lafayette, la 70508, (337) 232-7361). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 67,000.

- Lafayette, LA, USA

problem #4

Aug 012017

500

  • 28,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Fiat 500. While operating the vehicle, the transmission jerked and shifted roughly. Occasionally, the vehicle would shift out of gear and fail to immediately accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (nyle maxwell Fiat, 13049 research blvd, austin, tx) where it was diagnosed that the transmission was faulty. Computer updates were performed to the power train control module and the transmission control module, but the failures continued. The manufacturer was notified of the failures, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 28,000.

- Round Rock, TX, USA

Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...

problem #3

Jun 032018

500

  • miles
Car switches into neutral unexpectedly creating a dangerous inoperable vehicle scenario where the car will not move for several seconds. This has happened to me several times on the open road and almost caused me to get hit from behind. This is a regular occurrence which I have to predictively allow for by anticipating this may happen.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #2

Aug 202016

500

  • 3,000 miles
While driving on the freeway and at freeway speeds the front passenger side suspension completely snapped with no accident or road debris involved. The wheel turned sideways and lost all control of the vehicle's ability to turn. The engine then gave a transmission failure warning and the engine cut out. Was able to get the car to the side lane and waited for triple a to show up until 5am. Took pictures of the front passenger side wheel which was basically dangling off of the vehicle. It was exceptionally dangerous.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #1

Aug 292015

500

  • 617 miles
The car stopped working in the middle of the highway, started to give error messages and turned on engine service, transmission and parking brakes lights. A few seconds after we just got the message: Drive mode unavailable and the car stopped. It was really dangerous and my family and I were in a terrible risk of have a pretty bad accident. We are really lucky that nothing happened to us, we could die that night.

- Lehigh Acres, FL, USA

Not what you are looking for?