Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 124 complaints with NHTSA about the 2014 Fiat 500, and it carries 4 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 46 | 37% |
| Unknown or other | 8 | 6% |
| Engine | 7 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 7 | 6% |
| Structure | 5 | 4% |
| Power train | 4 | 3% |
| Steering | 3 | 2% |
| Power train | 3 | 2% |
| Electrical system | 3 | 2% |
| Air bags | 3 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
Message flashing "service power steering, hill climb and ESC" appears on an average of once a month for the last few years. No loss of control yet, but it came on three starts in a row for the first time. Usually goes
NHTSA complaint: Steering
While traveling on a PA interstate, I hit the brakes to avoid hitting a vehicle in front of me and the wheels locked up. The anti-lock system appeared to not work on my Fiat 500c. I hard steered L and avoided a head on c
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
The contact owns a 2014 Fiat 500. The contact stated that while driving on a neighborhood street at 10 MPH, the transmission experienced an abnormal difficulty in the shifting gear. There was no warning light illuminated
NHTSA complaint: Power train
Dealer saw me that is needing a battery replaced On February 14, I took my fiat 500 E to the dealer for repairs. They then told me that it has a bad main battery problems and has to be replaced they gave me a price of $
NHTSA complaint: Power train
The contact owns a 2014 Fiat 500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine and TPMS warning lights illuminated and the vehicle began to hesitate while accelerating. The vehicle was
NHTSA complaint: Power train
On 1/24/2024 the check engine came on. I went to auto zone the same day and they check the alert. They advised the code possibly could be the spark plugs or ignition coil. The engine light went off on 2/6/2024 and I w
NHTSA complaint: Engine
the electric vehicle was previously recalled for battery malfunction but now the OBCM module malfunctioned making the vehicle unable to charge(receive power) leaving me stranded in the charging station and unable to go h
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
Vehicle was operating as normal. Came to a stop, shifted car into neutral to rest foot, light turned green, tried to shift back in to gear from a stop and the clutch pressure plate was all wrong, wouldn’t allow the car
NHTSA complaint: Power train
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2014 Fiat 500. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
DLT, LLC. is recalling certain CravenSpeed Fiat Short Shifter shafts sold for use in 2011-2019 Fiat 500 vehicles. The Shifter Shaft may have been improperly manufactured with a through hole for the set screw rather than a blind hole, which may lead to the breakage of the Shifter Shaft.
Risk: If the shifter breaks while the vehicle is in motion, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: DLT has notified owners, and will provide a complete replacement shifter assembly with an updated shaft, free of charge. The recall began July 24, 2019. Owners may contact DLT customer service at 1-
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2012-2016 Fiat 500 vehicles manufactured June 21, 2010, through January 12, 2016, equipped with a manual transmission. The clutch diaphragm spring may fracture and fail, causing an inability to switch gears.
Risk: If the clutch diaphragm spring fails, the driver may not be able to shift gears or the vehicle may lose motive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: The remedy for this recall will include the installation of a clutch pedal limiter and a clutch pedal switch. The recall began on November 10, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Fiat 500 battery electric vehicles manufactured March 8, 2013, to March 7, 2015. The Electric Vehicle Control Unit (EVCU) of the affected vehicles may set a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) that may cause the transmission to unexpectedly
Risk: If the vehicle unexpectedly shifts to neutral, the loss of drive could increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EVCU, free of charge. The recall began June 19, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number f
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Fiat 500 vehicles. The tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) warning light may not illuminate as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitor
Risk: A TPMS warning light that fails to illuminate can result in the vehicle being driven with improperly inflated tires, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will reprogram the TPMS electronic control unit module, free of charge. Owners were mailed July 11, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's nu
| Reliability raw | 76 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 72 | good |
| Maintenance | 78 | good |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 45 | below average |
| Efficiency | 50 | average |
| Safety | 80 | excellent |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 124 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 46 of them (37%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 76/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 72/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2014 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 69/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.