2017 Fiat 500 problems
The Fiat 500 (Italian: Cinquecento, pronounced ) is an economy / city car that was manufactured and marketed by Fiat Automobiles from 1957 until 1975. It was sold as a two-door semi-convertible or saloon car and as a three-door panel van or estate car.
Launched as the Nuova (new) 500 in July 1957, as a successor to the 500 "Topolino", it was an inexpensive and practical small car. Measuring 2.97 metres (9 feet 9 inches) long, and originally powered by a rear-mounted 479 cc two-cylinder, air-cooled engine, the 500 was 24.5 centimetres (9.6 inches) smaller than Fiat's 600, launched two years earlier, and is considered one of the first purpose-designed city cars.
In 1959, Dante Giacosa received a Compasso d'Oro industrial design prize for the Fiat 500. This marked the first time a Compasso d’Oro was awarded to an automotive manufacturer.
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Common 2017 Fiat 500 problems
The Fiat 500, a popular compact model known for its retro Italian design and affordability, has been reported to have several common problems by its owners. These issues range from clutch and suspension problems to engine overheating and power steering failures.
- Suspension Problems: The Fiat 500 has received a number of complaints from drivers regarding its suspension system, particularly for models manufactured between 2012-2015. Drivers have reported a clunking noise coming from the front of the vehicle, especially when driving over uneven surfaces and small potholes. This problem is commonly associated with the vehicle's strut mounts becoming worn prematurely.
- Engine Overheating: Another issue drivers have reported with the Fiat 500 is an overheating engine. This can be caused by a coolant leak, a damaged water pump, or a clogged coolant hose. A key indicator of this problem is white smoke coming out from your exhaust pipe, and if this happens, it’s extremely important that you pull over on the roadside and switch off your engine.
- Power Steering Problems: An issue with the power steering system has also been reported by drivers with the Fiat 500. A loss in power steering can be noticed with a slow or stiff responding steering wheel, or most commonly, a puddle of red liquid below your car indicating a power steering fluid leak. Fiat has been forced to recall a number of models due to this problem, caused by faulty wiring below the steering column which made the steering wheel difficult to control.
These common problems with the Fiat 500 can significantly impact the driving experience and safety of the vehicle. Regular maintenance and timely repairs can help mitigate these issues and ensure the longevity of the car.
2017 Fiat 500 car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Fiat 500 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Electrical system problems
- Structure problems
- Power train problems
- Service brakes problems
- Unknown or other problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2017 Fiat 500 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
2017 Fiat 500 complaints
The NHTSA has received 13 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2017 Fiat 500.
2024-02-18
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-02-18
- VIN: 3C3CFFGE6HT
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: Just before coming to a stop the brakes grab and jerk the car. The brakes work normally otherwise.
2024-01-02
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-12-26
- VIN: 3C3CFFFH4HT
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: The contact owns a 2017 Fiat 500. The contact stated that the driver's side and passenger's side door handles fractured and detached from the inner side of the handle. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that water had entered the door handles. The door handles were replaced. The manufacturer was not notified about the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 20,000.
2023-12-27
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-10-10
- VIN: 3C3CFFKR9HT
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: After a sudden stop (no impact), the car would no longer go into or come out of gear while running. When the car is not running it will still shift normally. The repair shop initially thought it was the slave cylinder but the problem persisted. They then changed the clutch and are now recommending replacing the inner CV axle boot. The problem described is similar in symptons to the existing recall on 2012-2016 Fiat 500s and the partial recall on 2017 Fiat 500s. It seems logical that all of these issues are somehow related to a flaw in the design or manufacturing.
2022-08-07
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-08-07
- VIN: ZFBCFACH5HZ
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: THE LIGHT THAT INFORMS OF AN AIR BAG PROBLEM GOES ON. THE DEALER SHIP REPAIRS AND A WEEK LATER THE LIGHT GOES ON AGAIN. BACK TO DEALERSHIP,FIXES PROBLEM? LIGHT GOES ON IN A DAY. THIS THURSDAY 8/11/22 WILL BE THE 4TH ATTEMPT TO SOLVE THE AIR BAG ISSUE.
2022-07-17
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-05-23
- VIN: 3C3CFFGE0HT
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: The PCM system does not work at all and brakes seem off—either they stop too hard or drag when pressing in them
2021-11-10
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2017-08-18
- VIN: 3C3CFFKR5HT
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: My 2017 Silver FIAT 500 pop has a defective miles odometer that flashes. The car was purchased from Tobin Fiat of Las Vegas on 8/21/2017. I test drove this car to my home for 3 days before buying it. On day 2 it starting flashing. I returned to the dealer, reported it and was told it would be repaired. I have over 40 Videos on my cel phone that prove its defective over a 4 year period. Most resent issues on, 10/30/21, 11/1/21, 11/10/21. All 3 parties have refused to fix, repair or replace what causes the flashing miles indicator in my car. They said it doesn't exist so there is nothing to fix. The car was sent to the Fiat dealership in Henderson for a few days and they said it didn't flash while there so Fiat, Chrysler and Tobin Fiat of Las Vegas saw it as a none issue or as a customer complaint about nothing.
2020-11-19
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-09-01
- VIN: 3C3CFFGE8HT
- Components: POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: CAR STOPPED AND QUICKLY SLOWED DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. I HAD VERY LITTLE TIME TO STEER CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE RBS/ABS SYSTEM STARTED SLOWING THE CAR ON ITS OWN. I HAD ONLY BEEN GOING 30 MPH, HOWEVER HAD I BEEN IN A CENTER LANE ON A FREEWAY AT 60 MPH, I WOULD HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET IT OFF THE ROAD.
2020-09-01
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2017-08-18
- VIN: 3C3CFFKR5HT
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: THE MILES INDICATOR FLASHES. PURCHASED 8/21/17 AND STILL FLASHES. DEALERSHIP: TOBIN FIAT 2550 S. JONES BLVD. LAS VEGAS, NV89146
2020-07-30
VISIBILITY PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-07-01
- VIN: 3C3CFFKR2HT
- Components: VISIBILITY
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FIAT 500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW INADVERTENTLY FELL INSIDE OF THE DOOR PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FIAT OF SCOTTSDALE LOCATED AT 16301 N. 78TH ST, SCOTTSDALE, AZ 85260, TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WINDOW REGULATOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE WAS REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.
2019-11-30
STEERING,STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-11-15
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 3C3CFFGEXHT
- Components: STEERING,STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: THERE WAS A SUDDEN AND COMPLETE LOSE OF STEERING CONTROL. CAR PULLED HARD TO THE RIGHT CAUSING A COLLISION WITH A PARKED CAR. VEHICLE WAS MOVING AT VERY LOW RATE OF SPEED UNDER 10 MPH. THERE WAS NO WAY TO STOP THE VEHICLE BEFORE THE COLLISION HAPPENED. IN ADDITION UPON IMPACT THE SEATBELT DID NOT LOCK CAUSING THE DRIVER TO BE TOSSED TO THE WINDSHIELD. DRIVER WAS WEARING SEAT BELT. INCIDENT OCCURRED AT VERY LOW RATE OF SPEED.*DT*JB CAIR# XXXXXXXX METLIFE CLAIM #XXXXXXXXXX 'PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB
2018-06-18
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2018-06-14
- Crash: 1
- VIN: ZFBCFADH7GZ
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: CAR HAS MOVED OUT OF "PARK" 4 TIMES AND THE LAST TIME ROLLED DOWN MY DRIVE WAY AND HIT ANOTHER CAR. I WANT TO HAVE THIS VEHICLE RETURNED AND GET ANOTHER CAR. WE TOOK THIS VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO FOR ELECTRONIC GAUGE AND SYSTEM PROBLEMS. THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. I DON'T BELIEVE THEM ANYMORE.
2017-10-16
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2017-08-23
- VIN: ZFBCFADH3HZ
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: AFTER OWNING THE VEHICLE FOR JUST 5 MONTHS, I WAS PUSHING IN MY PASSENGER SIDE VIEW MIRROR AND IT POPPED OFF. I WENT BACK AND FORTH WITH THE DEALER, TAKING IN A COUPLE OF TIMES TO TAKE PICTURES. AFTER 2 MONTHS, FIAT HAS COME BACK TO SAY THAT THIS IS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR AND IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY.
2017-10-08
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2017-07-25
- VIN: ZFBCFACH4HZ
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: USING A LARGE AND RELATIVELY HEAVY KEY RING AND INADVERTENTLY HITTING IT WHILE ADJUSTING THE RADIO CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET ON THREE OCCASIONS. REMOVING THE KEY RING AND USING THE KEY WITHOUT A RING SOLVED THE PROBLEM. AFTER REMOVING THE KEY RING THERE WERE NO MORE INCIDENTS.
2017 Fiat 500 recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 2 recalls for different components of the 2017 Fiat 500.
2024-06-25
- Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
- Components: TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
- Summary: 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 Monitoring Systems."
- Consequence: 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.
- Remedy: 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 number for this recall is 80B.
2019-07-03
- Manufacturer: DLT, LLC
- Components: POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:FLOOR SHIFT ASSEMBLY
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: If the shifter breaks while the vehicle is in motion, it can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: 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 1-503-505-6886.
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