NHTSA — Electrical System Problems

2016 Fiat 500X (Page 1 of 2)

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
27,699 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 500X electrical problems

electrical problem

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2016 Fiat 500X Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #38

May 072024

500X

  • miles

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

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. I stopped and when the light turned green it would not go again while it drive. So I put it in park and back in drive and it went.i get to a stop sign about 1 mile down the road and my steering wheel locked up. So I put the car in park and back in drive and it started turning a little bit so I was able to pull off the road into an abandoned parking lot. I tried to turn the car off and it would not turn off. So I unhooked the battery cable and it cut off. I had the car towed to my house. They hooked the cables back up yo get the car onto the tow truck. Once the car was home, the wheel was fine but it had some warning messages on the dashboard. So the next day it rained again. And I went outside later that evening and my tail lights and the dashboard was illuminated. My air conditioner was running but the car was not crank. So I finally got it to the shop and they are saying water got into the RHA hub; but how" I don't have a leak in my car. I've never seen water in my car and on top of that, why is my RHA hub in the trunk" Anyway, after that I looked it up and come to find out a lot of people with Fiats have been having the same problem. And they are just as upset and lost as I am.

- Hartsville, SC, USA

problem #37

Nov 302022

500X

  • miles
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 car. Dealer says that the RF module and another module needs replaced and possibly the two key FOBS will have to be replaced if the current keys do not sync up with the new RF module. I even had my battery replaced that day I went to the dealer. Thought that would help and it did for a bit.

- Whites Creek, TN, USA

problem #36

Apr 202023

500X

  • miles
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 while the car was in park, with no one in the vehicle. The car would not shut off. The car was taken to the dealership where over 30 codes were reported. 2 sensors were replaced (one brake sensor and the traction sensor) and the dealership reported that multiple updates were performed in the 2 weeks that they had the car. Five weeks after getting the car back from the dealership the SAME condition occurred on the highway at 55mph, in a construction zone with no ability to pull off. After reaching an area where it was safe to pull off, a restart of the car (by disconnecting the battery) had all of the lights going off and the brakes functioning normally. The car was driven straight to the dealership where the issues happened again. The car now has 43 codes. They replaced the HCU/ABS module, which did not fix the issue. The car has been in the service department for 3 weeks without discovering the cause of the lights, lack of speedometer and deceleration.

- Springfield, VT, USA

problem #35

Jan 062023

500X

  • miles

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

My low pressure oil light continues to pop on and off. My pressure is reading very low numbers and not the required number needed for the oil to reach the top of the pump. The dealership replaced the censor on the car and it continues to pop up. This issue has been confirmed by the dealership advisor that it can be internal with my motor and continues to say it is not covered under the motor recall that was previously done in 2021 on my car. I have spoken with Mopar representative and they have stated that I have a 2 year warranty and that my current issue falls under the guidelines for motor recall. The component has not been inspected by the manufacturer. My oil has been changed and it is full. This is a safety concern because if I am driving my car and something happens to the motor or if the motor locks up while driving, I will severely be injured after i have explained to the dealership my concerns.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #34

Nov 022021

500X

  • miles
The radio frequency hub has failed or shorted out from possibly water leaking into vehicle. This has caused the car to randomly stop while driving and other times to not start. The car completely stops locking the cars braking system and not allowing the doors to open. The car that has stopped working while Driving and has been stuck locations unable to start. Diagnostics said the car was fine until it has completely shorted out which has made the car unusable and no diagnostics can be run. When the car was brought into the last dealership they were familiar with this problem due to several other vehicles with the same problem being brought in. The mechanics states that this is a problem from water leaking into a part on the trunk hatch that is supposed to be sealed. There have been several cars repaired at the dealer and currently other cars currently waiting for a back ordered part to try to remedy this problem.

- Fort Myer, FL, USA

problem #33

Aug 232021

500X

  • miles
1 year after purchase the car started having electrical issues, hard gear shifting, turns off or fails to start on first try, car has been serviced at South Miami FIAT since the issues started. The dealer could not identify the issues and told me that they would leave a warranty order open in the event that the warranty expired and the issue was not addressed. The dealer is basically not assisting. I have recently taken my car in for the oil consumption test; at first it failed to later be told that it's working just fine. Problems do no fix themselves and I feel that the dealer is not being totally honest with the situation. I am aware that the consumer is on the losing end of this story, but I will say that I along with many others have had a less than desirable experience with FIAT vehicles. Can someone please respond regarding these issues. I know that the past 2 years have been strenuous on all, but this is my last effort to find a solution to this matter. I have reviewed many other owners with almost identical issues with their cars. Thank you for your attention

- Homestead, FL, USA

problem #32

Jan 152021

500X

  • 31,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2016 Fiat 500X. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the passenger's side turn signal intermittently failed to operate as designed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer heritage Fiat located at 11212 reisterstown rd, suite B, owings mills, md 21117 who diagnosed that the internal switch was faulty and needed to be replaced. The switch was replaced and the failure was remedied. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 31,000.

- Timonium, MD, USA

problem #31

Nov 102020

500X

  • miles
My car didn't start and then finally did. While driving it stalled, all of a sudden I got control enough to park at work. With no warning signs I proceeded to change battery after work and it still wouldn't start then after attempting to start with new battery the car with lock symbol came out. Still at this point no warning was giving as I was driving this car perfectly fine until this. All this was on main streets. I have small kids and this is not an accident that I would ever want with or without them because of a technical issue of a car.

- Saint Cloud, FL, USA

problem #30

Nov 022020

500X

  • 39,900 miles
Service engine light comes on, with "drive mode not available" warning. Car shuts off for no reason while in motion. Restart, light goes off. Seems to be affected by change in weather.

- Spring, TX, USA

problem #29

Aug 302020

500X

  • 31,500 miles
Engine overheated after minimal driving in manhattan despite sufficient coolant levels. Safety features are defective (rear and side warning indicators) work intermittently.

- Hanover, NH, USA

problem #28

Aug 012020

500X

  • 70,000 miles

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

Like everyone else on here my car has multiple issues. Car shifts hard from first to second gear. Fuel car propulsion seems off, drivers side door handle broke, day time running lights don't work, touch screen on display quit working, car doesn't alert me of low oil level, it has shut off but I'm pretty sure it's a safety feature when your oil is to low so you dont blow your car up, car uses waaayyy to much oil, gas mileage isn't that great, brakes were replaced ever since a lot of times my car will screech when I go to apply the brakes, oh and battery is bad literally just replaced it had corrosion and acid leaking out. I really wanted to love this car but it's been kind of a disappointment. I am the second owner, I bought it in 2018 with about 45K miles and it just hit 100K a car four years old should not have this many problems it's really unacceptable. Its just my every day driver I maintenance it regularly and the miles are mostly highway miles. All of this just within 2 years and 50K miles pretty unbelievable. I am taking it to a Fiat dealership this week to see if they can fix some of these issues

- Glen Burnie, MD, USA

problem #27

Aug 142020

500X

  • 78,000 miles
This car is a lemon and the dealership is fully aware. Since the beginning, the car will randomly say drive mode unavailable, even while in operation. It goes into neutral without shifting and always has. The transmission messes up if I switch into sport from auto on the highway and it always has. The steering wheel fell apart on my way home from work and I had to call the dealership, it has started falling apart again. The dashboard started coming apart and that had to be repaired. The trunk locks when it feels like it, and always has. I will close it and it will immediately unlock. This prevents me from locking the car and I don't know if it'll fly open if I try to drive it. I have to wait for it to lock. This can literally take hours! 2 weeks ago, my car actually started by itself at 10:30 pm. I heard a car alarm and assumed it was a neighbor's car. It was mine. My keys were downstairs in my purse. I was upstairs binging law and order svu. I couldn't get the car to shut off. It was raining and dark and I live alone and I don't know my neighbors. Luckily someone came to help me anyway. The alarm and radio we're both blaring nonstop. The fuse for the fuel had to be pulled, to shut it off. This happened for two days in a row. Now it won't start. The battery is fine, the radio and lights and dash lights come on. Every possible mechanical failure code is showing up, ABS system, keyless entry, power steering, remote start, airbags, check engine etc are all showing as defective. This car is a lemon. Pomoco Jeep Chrysler in nn, va, knows it's a piece of crap. Instead of labeling at what it is, they expect me to bring it in constantly and constantly be without transportation. If I didn't need a car, I would not have purchased one. I would like a certified mechanic, independent of Chrysler and it's dealerships, to fully examine and diagnose the issues with my car.

- Newport News, VA, USA

problem #26

Aug 232020

500X

  • 47,000 miles
I own a 2016 Fiat 500X, unsure of the model because I was told I was purchasing a trekking but paperwork states lounge 2. the VIN number has brought up the different two models depending on what VIN search you use. One issue with the vehicle, are the exterior lights. At the current time, it has a blinker, rear taillight and a brake light out. And when one light goes out, usually 2-3 other lights follow. This will be the 3rd time it's going in for repairs for that electrical issue. It is also consuming too much oil. Yesterday after I finally got it started, several lights appeared on the dashboard, park brake failure light, transmission malfunction indicator light and the ESC light. When I put it in drive mode, a light warning me the drive mode was unavailable. The vehicle idles rough. Once I stopped at a stop sign and the vehicle jumped into neutral. The backup camera has stayed on before while driving down the road. Also 2 door handles have had to be replaced and the drivers side knob that has already been replaced once, seems to be sticking like the one before it that completely broke off.

- El Dorado, AR, USA

problem #25

May 272020

500X 4-cyl

  • 40,000 miles
While sitting in a drive thru the cooling fan went out and was replaced at a cost of over $400. Just a few months later, it happened again.

- Park Hills, MO, USA

problem #24

Apr 182020

500X 4-cyl

  • 43,000 miles
My car was stationary. Sitting in my driveway and I was cleaning the interior out. Listening to my radio. Then all the sudden a bunch of warning lights start going off. Pretty much all of them. I thought it was just dying so I tried to start it. The alarm starts blaring. Eventually the car shut it self off. And now it will not turn back on. It's just extremely scary thinking I could of been driving when this happened. The transmission shifts hard between one and two. And occasionally the radio turns it's self on and off. I just bought this car used with 43,000 miles. It's insane and incredibly unsafe with these issues. And now it's dead in my driveway. I get parking lights out and daytime driving light out indicator. Rough idle on cold starts sometimes.

- Eau Claire, PA, USA

problem #23

Aug 162019

500X

  • miles
Since August 2019, the 2016 Fiat 500X has been in for electrical issues. In August 2019 a radio was replaced, the next moth a computer module was replaced, subsequently since October 8 2019, there have been three batteries installed. It is not a safe vehicle, it continues to leave me stranded. Today it had to be towed in again. I am going to be stranded and in danger. I was in van nuys, California in December when they replaced a battery, then February 7, 2020 it was in mesa AZ when it had to be towed in again. Today March 11, 2020 it was towed in again, I don't know what they will do this time since 3 new batteries hasn't taken care of the issues. I am petrified to drive this vehicle. I went through arbitration on February 17,2020which was denied. I really need some help to resolve these issues

- Mesa, AZ, USA

problem #22

May 052019

500X

  • 75,000 miles
Tiene jalones Y SE apagan las luces

- Mayaguez, PR, USA

problem #21

Sep 262019

500X

  • miles
I have reported my issues of my car completely shutting off while driving down the street weather it be 25mph or on the interstate at 70mph. I have had this issue looked at by dealerships and it continues to happen. My last incident lmao this caused me to flip my can and hit another vehicle while traveling 65 mph. My car turns off completely, so then I have to put it in park one I'm able to come to a complete stop and restart. Sometimes this cause all my light to flicker on and off. My engine feels like it's going to vibrate out of the front of my car. This is a huge safety issue I've been reporting to my dealer and the mechanics for almost 2yrs now. I have contacted Chrysler ( Fiat service ) to get help to figure this issue out properly. I was told I may have to be in a wreck for anything to be done. Really, sad a tech would say something like that. My first time my car stalled I was at a 4 way turning to go home. This happens literally every month. I have children I have to drive around with my car stalling on my and completely loosing power to everything.

- Oklahoma City, OK, USA

problem #20

Sep 222019

500X

  • 78,000 miles
The car states the electric parking break needs service. Brake is locked. Car cannot move. Also states transmission requires service. Vehicle received service two weeks ago. I've had issues ever since dealer conducted the cooling fan recall last month.

- Upper Marlboro, MD, USA

problem #19

Jul 012019

500X

  • 30,000 miles
This vehicle has 3 recalls and I didn't see them all listed on your website. The new recall I will enclose in a document. The first recall was an issue with shifting into all wheel drive and connected to the electrical system. The cooling agent fan is malfunctioning which can overheat and cause risk of injury and possible fire in engine. I started noticing my check engine light would go on after start up even though I wasn't due for one. I checked oil and it was fine. My car started jolting forward and backwards when started.it would jolt backwards while in reverse. It's lost power after starting while reversing in my garge. At times I was afraid it would stall while driving on back roads and while slowing down for turns.on highway and main roads I started smelling heat from from engine and could feel the engine struggling to function. It's at dealership now for recall. Thanks

- Merrimac, MA, USA

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