2018 Fiat 500 problems

General information about Fiat-500
Overview of popular issues
Analysis of common problems
Сomplaints list
Recalls list

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.

Social links

Common 2018 Fiat 500 problems

The Fiat 500, a popular compact car, has been reported to have several common problems across various model years. While the car is generally reliable, certain issues have been noted by owners and mechanics.

Suspension problems: Models manufactured between 2012 and 2015 have received numerous complaints about the suspension system, with a clunking noise coming from the front of the vehicle, especially over uneven surfaces and potholes. This issue is often associated with prematurely worn strut mounts.

Engine overheating: Fiat 500 owners have reported engine overheating, which can be caused by coolant leaks, damaged water pumps, or clogged coolant hoses. A key indicator of this problem is white smoke coming out from the exhaust pipe.

Power steering problems: Issues with the power steering system have been reported by drivers, with symptoms including a loss of power steering, slow or stiff responding steering wheel, or a puddle of red liquid under the car, indicating a power steering fluid leak.

Electrical issues: The 2012 Fiat 500 has the most overall complaints, with electrical problems being the worst category.

Transmission problems: Transmission-related issues have been reported for the 2012 Fiat 500, including clicking noises, downshifting hard at slow speeds, and erratic shifting.

Brake problems: Issues with the brakes, such as reduced brake performance and rear brake lock-up, have been reported for certain model years.

Airbag problems: A software issue on 2009-2010 models could result in the wrong airbag deploying in a collision, requiring a software update.

Steering column issues: A small number of 500s made from 2009 could have an issue with the steering column, potentially leading to a loss of steering.

Seatbelt problems: The front seatbelts in cars made between 2014 and 2015 might not restrain occupants correctly in a collision.

Fuel leak: A fuel leak can occur in some 500s manufactured from 2008, potentially leading to the engine cutting out.

While these issues have been reported, regular maintenance and prompt attention to any problems can help mitigate many of these concerns. Prospective buyers should be aware of these common problems when considering a used Fiat 500, particularly models from 2012 to 2015.

2018 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:

Visibility problems
Unknown or other problems
Wheels problems
Service brakes problems
Seats problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 2018 Fiat 500 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

2018 Fiat 500 complaints

The NHTSA has received 5 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2018 Fiat 500.

2024-08-07

VISIBILITY PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2024-06-26
VIN: 3C3CFFJH6JT
Components: VISIBILITY
Summary: See attached document for complaint

Add Complaint

2024-07-13

UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2024-07-08
VIN: 3C3CFFJH5JT
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Summary: I was notified of the recall for my car and took it to the dealer. The dealer told me there is no fix for this recall and that they could not do anything about it sending me away.

Add Complaint

2023-07-27

WHEELS PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2023-05-01
VIN: 3C3CFFJH6JT
Components: WHEELS
Summary: The contact owns a 2018 Fiat 500. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and was informed that the lug nuts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact took the vehicle to a tire shop and was informed that the lug nuts needed to be shattered to be replaced. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 53,000.

Add Complaint

2019-09-23

SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2019-09-23
VIN: 3C3CFFFH3JT
Components: SERVICE BRAKES
Summary: CAR HAS 12XXX MILES ON IT - 80% OF WHICH BEING FREEWAY MILES. BROUGHT INTO THE DEALER TODAY FOR A COMPLAINT OF THE CAR DIVING TO THE RIGHT WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED AGGRESSIVELY AT THOSE SPEEDS. DISCS, PADS, AND CALIPERS ALL FOUND TO BE IN PERFECT CONDITION. INTERNET FORUMS ARE CRAWLING WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT. DEALER TEST DROVE AN IDENTICAL MODEL WITH ONLY 83 MILES ON IT AND EXPERIENCED THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. THIS IS A PERFORMANCE CAR WITH A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SAFETY DEFECT IN ONE OF ITS MOST IMPORTANT SYSTEMS. DEALER REPORTED ALL THEY CAN DO AT THE MOMENT IS SEND THE INFORMATION UP THE CHAIN TO THEIR REGIONAL DIRECTOR.

Add Complaint

2018-10-23

SEATS PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2018-10-18
Components: SEATS
Summary: BOUT THE CAR AND WAS CLEANING THE SEATS (I'M A SMOKER SO WIPING THE ASHES OFF) AND NOTICED A DEPRESSION/INDENTATION IN THE DRIVER SEAT AND PASSENGER SEAT AS WELL AS A PLASTIC CORD INDER THE SEAT COVER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. HAD THE DEALERSHIP LOOK AT IT AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD FIX THE PROBLEMS, WELL THE DEALERSHIP MADE THE SEATS EVEN WORSE DOING A CRAP JOB ON THE COVERS. VERY DISSATISFIED WITH FIAT AS WELL AS THE DEALERSHIP.

Add Complaint

2018 Fiat 500 recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 2 recalls for different components of the 2018 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.