Fiat 500l problems

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The Fiat 500L is a mini MPV manufactured by Fiat under the Fiat Serbia joint venture and marketed globally since its debut at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show.

Based on a variant of the FCA Small Wide platform, the 500L uses Fiat's Multiair variable valve timing engine technology and monovolume cab forward architecture: a packaging concept that prioritizes passenger and cargo volume. The 500L is noted for its high H-point seating, high roof, tall greenhouse, double A pillar, wide field of visibility—and its reconfigurable interior system marketed as Cargo Magic Space.

Initially only available in a 2-row, 5-seat configuration, the lengthened 3-row, 7-seat variant, called the "500L Living", began production in 2013 for the European market. For model year 2018, the 500L received an intermediate facelift, with revised front and rear fascias along with In-car entertainment (ICE) updates and interior revisions. By early 2018, production reached 500,000 units. The 500L was discontinued in the North American market after model year 2020.

The 500L derives its name from Fiat's widely known 500 models, including the original 1957 Fiat 500 and the current Fiat 500, introduced in 2007. Underscoring its increased length and overall size over other 500 variants, the suffix L denotes "large", "light" and "loft".

photo of Fiat 500l car production

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Fiat 500l model years

fiat 500l 2016 photo
500l 2016
Fiat

2

0

24

2.1
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
fiat 500l 2015 photo
500l 2015
Fiat

23

2

41

1.7
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
fiat 500l 2014 photo
500l 2014
Fiat

166

3

44

1.8
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1

Common Fiat 500l problems

The Fiat 500L is known to have several common problems, primarily affecting the clutch, suspension, engine, and power steering systems.

  • Suspension problems: Drivers have reported a clunking noise from the front of the vehicle, especially when driving over uneven surfaces and small potholes. This problem is often associated with premature wear of the strut mounts. Suspension issues are common in compact city cars like the Fiat 500, and the average quote for a suspension repair on the Fiat 500 is £129.21 when booked with WhoCanFixMyCar.
  • Engine overheating: Fiat 500Ls have experienced overheating engines, which can be caused by coolant leaks, damaged water pumps, or clogged coolant hoses. White smoke coming from the exhaust pipe is a key indicator of this problem. If you suspect your car's engine is overheating, a mobile mechanic can troubleshoot the problem for you. The average quote for a mobile mechanic call out on a Fiat 500 is £79.07 when booked through WhoCanFixMyCar.
  • Power steering problems: The Fiat 500L has had issues with its power steering system, causing a loss of power steering or a slow or stiff responding steering wheel. This problem can be caused by faulty wiring below the steering column, as seen in a recall issued in June 2014. Power steering problems can be dangerous if left unrepaired, so it is essential to address them promptly.

These common problems with the Fiat 500L can significantly impact the vehicle's performance and safety. Regular maintenance and prompt repairs are crucial to ensure the longevity and reliability of the Fiat 500L.

Fiat 500l

What problems does the FIAT 500L have?

What common problems does the Fiat 500 have? Getting the sudden whiff of fuel while you're driving along in your Fiat 500 is going to be a bit of a concern. Faulty fuel-injector seals are a common cause, and will need to be replaced. A number of people have reported a Fiat 500 clutch pedal vibration.

Is the FIAT 500L a reliable car?

Reliability Survey, the 500 ranked 15th out of 19 cars in the small car class. Its overall score was a moderate 93.2%, slightly up on its usual ratings.

What is the life expectancy of a FIAT 500L?

What is Fiat 500l lifespan? The estimated lifespan of a Fiat 500l is 137,000mi, before reaching the life expectancy upper limit. Fuel type is a major factor when looking into a vehicles lifespan/life expectancy.

What Fiat 500 fault is most common?

Suspension problems are a common issue in many vehicles, and even more so in compact city cars like the Fiat 500.

Percentage distribution of complaints by Fiat 500l years

We have researched Fiat problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Fiat 500l cars and compiled the top 3 most problematic Fiat 500l model years:

Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Fiat 500l model years.

Distribution of the number of complaints by Fiat 500l years

We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:

Fiat 500l car problems categorized by type of issue

After analysing all complaints related to Fiat 500l , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:

  • Power train problems
  • Engine problems
  • Electrical system problems
  • Vehicle speed control problems
  • Unknown or other problems

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

Distribution of the number of complaints where the accident occurred by 500l model years

A total of 5 complaints were registered in which the accident occurred. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.

Distribution of the number of complaints with fire by 500l model years

There were a total of 5 complaints that resulted in a fire. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.

Distribution of the number of complaints with injuries by 500l model years

There were a total of 3 complaints that resulted in a injuries. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.

The NHTSA has received 191 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Fiat 500l . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Fiat 500l vehicles.

Latest 25 complaints

Fiat 500l 2014
  • Date Of Incident: 2024-03-05
  • Date Complaint: 2024-10-22
  • VIN: ZFBCFABH6EZ
  • Components: POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2014 Fiat 500L. The contact stated while her daughter was driving 50 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The driver was able to coast to the shoulder of the roadway, and the contact became aware that the vehicle had shifted into neutral independently and was unable to shift back into gear. The transmission warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the body control module. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 69,000.
Fiat 500l 2014
  • Date Of Incident: 2024-08-15
  • Date Complaint: 2024-10-16
  • VIN: ZFBCFADH8EZ
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2014 FIAT 500L. The contact stated that while driving at unknown speeds, the transmission began slipping out of gear. The transmission warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced.  The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Fiat 500l 2014
  • Date Of Incident: 2024-08-11
  • Date Complaint: 2024-10-11
  • VIN: ZFBCFACH6EZ
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2014 Fiat 500L. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal, before accelerating forward. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact learned online of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V192000 (Power Train). The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 105,000.
Fiat 500l 2014
  • Date Of Incident: 2024-07-31
  • Date Complaint: 2024-08-01
  • VIN: ZFBCFADH9EZ
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: When in traffic on the highway the car all of a sudden would not shift out of first. Following that, all power was lost to the drivetrain, but accessories were still powered and working. Before the car gave no power to the drive, the oil light came on in addition to the engine light, when the oil levels were checked they were confirmed to be normal. The car has been inspected by a mechanic who suggests replacing the entire transmission.
Fiat 500l 2014
  • Date Of Incident: 2024-05-14
  • Date Complaint: 2024-07-25
  • VIN: ZFBCFACH5EZ
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2014 Fiat 500L. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle suddenly stalled. After restarting the vehicle, the transmission message was displayed, and the vehicle would not properly shift into gear. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission dual clutch was faulty and needed to be replaced. The dual clutch kit was installed but after retrieving the vehicle the failure later reoccurred. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V192000 (Power Train). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 43,958.
Fiat 500l 2014
  • Date Of Incident: 2024-07-07
  • Date Complaint: 2024-07-12
  • VIN: ZFBCFADH4EZ
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
  • Summary: Issues with shifting out of park. Random acceleration, stalling, lagging, & jerking while on the road & in full speed traffic. When took car to dealership was told issues with my PCM. PCM had been recalled & fixed with previous owner in 2017. Now the second time having a PCM issue, couldn't do anything with the already fixed recall so i was forced to pay almost 2,000. Now still leaving me with the same issues. Cruise control accelerates on its own, almost causing accident with other cars on highway. Will be going 60 in traffic & it will randomly start to decrease in speed while foot is fully on gas. Possible throttle body issue, RMPS rev up to red while only going 35mph.
Fiat 500l 2014
  • Date Of Incident: 2024-02-03
  • Date Complaint: 2024-05-01
  • VIN: ZFBCFABH6EZ
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: 1.) Vehicle will not shift into forward or reverse. Shift lever moves but vehicle does not respond. Intermittent problem. 2.) Excessive acceleration is required before vehicle will move, then lurches forward or backwards.
Fiat 500l 2014
  • Date Of Incident: 2023-03-18
  • Date Complaint: 2024-04-09
  • VIN: ZFBCFADH8EZ
  • Components: STEERING,POWER TRAIN,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
  • Summary: CAR INTERMITTENTLY SHIFTS OUT OF GEAR INTO NEUTRAL WHEN faced with an uphill grade forcing car backwards. We have had over 5 nrear accidents involving rolling off hillsides ar onto property or into traffic behind. Car will not engage we have been desperately against a steep hill many times. Also front ABS brakes intermittently grab 1 wheel forcing car sideways at 40 mph. Also car emits rattle sound coming from lower gearbox or engine area noticeable through cab, both before and after a complete $4300 transmission rebuild. Service completed by FIAT and Alfa Romeo od Van Nuys California. This car is going to kill us. Fiat is dragging their feet. I will list the first incident below at March 18, 2023 but then many more occurred after, even after trans rebuild. This design is life-threatening. Who rebuilds a trans at under 50,000 miles??
Fiat 500l 2014
  • Date Of Incident: 2024-03-16
  • Date Complaint: 2024-03-27
  • VIN: ZFBCFADH1EZ
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2014 Fiat 500L. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle failed to accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact also stated that while in reverse(R), a gear shifter message was displayed, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V192000 (Power Train) which was associated with the failure. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure; however, the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 139,724.
Fiat 500l 2014
  • Date Of Incident: 2023-10-04
  • Date Complaint: 2024-02-22
  • VIN: ZFBCFADH4EZ
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: My car is experiencing the same issue as a previous recall T19. Does not go when foot is pressed completely on gas . Will start & only go 25mph & sound like it is stuck & will not shift. Then randomly will jerk & accelerate. Tool to local mechanic Oct 2023. went for oil change, just befor appointment started running weird and check engine light had came on,asked him to check it out. Local mechanic said reader said knock sensor. paid for part,and went for pick up. Check engine light was off, ran good for about 5 mins on way home had to turn around. Took it back now local mechanic says theres mice damage to wiring harness. estimated 3,000-5,000 total. after already paying 800 for knock sensor and oil change. Told to try & see if insurance will cover rodent damages . Insurance has towed car to Fiat dealership, now being told there is zero mice damage to my wiring harness. Replaced knock sensor now for a second time, still not the fix. Was told the Issue is unrelated to the mice & has to do with my PCM. Repair cost is more than my car is even worth at this point. Sounds just like past PCM recall issue. Mine was apparently fixed 03/23/17. Is there a way there could be another recall? I have under 70,000 miles & do not understand how this has happened.
Fiat 500l 2014
  • Date Of Incident: 2024-01-05
  • Date Complaint: 2024-01-24
  • VIN: ZFBCFACH6EZ
  • Components: POWER TRAIN,ENGINE
  • Summary: It only has 42,000 miles and the transmission light came on and it didn't want to go into park. The dealership won't tow it and keeps trying to day the are going to charge me for it when it still has both recalls on it. I had to play with the shifter to get it out of reverse it wanted to stay in reverse. And I was afraid it was going to run someone over because I. Couldn't park it
Fiat 500l 2014
  • Date Of Incident: 2024-01-16
  • Date Complaint: 2024-01-16
  • VIN: ZFBCFADH4EZ
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: While driving in bumper to bumper traffic. Started to have trouble with accelerating rhe vehicle. Noticed the car had a recall with that cause the issues thatbi was having. I took the car to the fiat dealership to have the recall fixed. But after working on the cat, it has failed or is unable to remedy this safety recall. Still has the same problem.
Fiat 500l 2014
  • Date Of Incident: 2023-11-27
  • Date Complaint: 2023-12-09
  • VIN: ZFBCFACH7EZ
  • Components: POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
  • Summary: While driving in traffic the check transmission light came on and car would no longer accelerate coming to a stop in traffic. Gears were not recognized per dash lights. Towed to shop for transmission repair which failed again within a six month time frame when once again while driving check engine light, check transmission light, check temp light all alternately started flashing, car quit accelerating and coasted to stop.
Fiat 500l 2014
  • Date Of Incident: 2023-07-29
  • Date Complaint: 2023-11-29
  • VIN: ZFBCFABH5EZ
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2014 Fiat 500L. The contact stated that after coming to a complete stop and attempting to resume driving, the vehicle failed to respond while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the transmission failed to shift into gear. The check engine warning light was illuminated, and the message "Transmission Failure" was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to unknown recalls. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 121,000.
Fiat 500l 2014
  • Date Of Incident: 2023-11-06
  • Date Complaint: 2023-11-06
  • VIN: ZFBCFABH7EZ
  • Components: AIR BAGS
  • Summary: My airbag light keeps coming on. It has been happening for the last 4 years. Everytime there is a temperature change more than 10 degrees the light comes on and stays on during driving. After the car is driven for a while and it's parked and turned off it resets. I've had the dealership check it and they say there is no code that shows the light being on. The app says I don't have any unresolved recalls but I think the replacement part is faulty.

Latest 5 recalls Fiat 500l

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 5 recalls for different components of the Fiat 500l.You can explore the year of the Volkswagen Jetta you are interested in by selecting it from the list.

  • Model: Fiat 500l 2014
  • Report Received Date: 2017-03-21
  • Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US LLC)
  • Components: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
  • Summary: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014 Fiat 500L vehicles. The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software calibration maybe incorrect, limiting the engine to idle speed and torque even when accelerator pedal is fully pressed.
  • Consequence: If the vehicle does not accelerate as expected, there may be an increased risk of a crash.
  • Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the PCM software, free of charge. The recall began April 13, 2017. Owners may the Fiat Information Center at 1-888-242-6342. Chrysler's number for this recall is T19.
  • Model: Fiat 500l 2015
  • Report Received Date: 2015-09-23
  • Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US LLC)
  • Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
  • Summary: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2015 Fiat 500L vehicles manufactured April 23, 2015, to May 10, 2015. The affected vehicles may be equipped with a passenger frontal air bag that was not folded properly during the assembly process. As a result, the air bag may not deploy as designed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
  • Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the air bag does not inflate as designed, the front seat occupant is at an increased risk of injury.
  • Remedy: Fiat will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began on October 15, 2015. Owners may contact Fiat customer service at 1-888-242-6342. Chrysler's number for this recall is R54.
  • Model: Fiat 500l 2014
  • Report Received Date: 2014-08-06
  • Manufacturer: Chrysler Group LLC
  • Components: AIR BAGS:KNEE BOLSTER
  • Summary: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Fiat 500L vehicles manufactured March 3, 2012, to July 25, 2014. Irregularities in the folding process during assembly of the driver's knee airbag may result in its improper deployment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
  • Consequence: If the knee airbag air bag does not deploy properly during a crash, there is an increased risk of driver injury.
  • Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's knee air bag, free of charge. The recall began on September 26, 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P42.
  • Model: Fiat 500l 2015
  • Report Received Date: 2014-08-06
  • Manufacturer: Chrysler Group LLC
  • Components: AIR BAGS:KNEE BOLSTER
  • Summary: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Fiat 500L vehicles manufactured March 3, 2012, to July 25, 2014. Irregularities in the folding process during assembly of the driver's knee airbag may result in its improper deployment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
  • Consequence: If the knee airbag air bag does not deploy properly during a crash, there is an increased risk of driver injury.
  • Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's knee air bag, free of charge. The recall began on September 26, 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P42.
  • Model: Fiat 500l 2014
  • Report Received Date: 2014-03-04
  • Manufacturer: Chrysler Group LLC
  • Components: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
  • Summary: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2014 Fiat 500L vehicles manufactured April 5, 2013, through January 22, 2014. In certain temperatures, moving the transmission shift lever may have a delayed effect or no effect on selecting a transmission gear.
  • Consequence: If there is no effect, the vehicle might not shift out of the Park position. If there is a delayed effect, the vehicle may move in an unintended or unexpected direction, increasing the risk of a crash.
  • Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter module or update the shifter software, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 31, 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number associated with this recall is P06.

Latest negative Fiat 500l car reviews

  1. Hector Nolan 2025-07-15

    Vehicle year: 2014

    My car has been to the FIAT service multiple times since I got it. Despite experiencing issues such as smoke from the hood and difficulty starting, the service team repeatedly claimed that there was nothing wrong with the car. However, after the warranty expired, the car required a new motor starter and ultimately suffered a complete engine failure. Upon inspection by my trusted mechanic, it was discovered that the engine contained defective and cheap parts. It is clear that the car was sold to me in a defective state, resulting in significant inconvenience and expense.

  2. Matt Heathcote 2025-07-15

    Vehicle year: 2014

    I purchased this car on October 30th, 2013. Unfortunately, it has been in the shop for several weeks due to recurring issues with the check engine and transmission lights. These problems have caused the car to lose power, leaving me without power steering or brakes while driving at 70 mph on the highway. As a result, I feel that the car is unsafe. Despite my concerns, Fiat has been unresponsive to my requests for assistance. However, it is important to note that I am not alone in experiencing these issues, as I have found other individuals on forums who have reported similar problems. It is my hope that Fiat will take responsibility for these issues and work towards a resolution. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

  3. Berta Rolfson 2025-05-20

    Vehicle year: 2015

    I really like my new 500L, but unfortunately, it broke down after just 6 days and 350ml of driving in stop and go traffic on I-25 outside Denver. The twin clutch automatic heated up, smoked, and shut down the system. Thankfully, roadside assistance towed it back to the Fiat dealer, where it was fixed and drivable again after three days. Although the dealer and the engineer in Italy couldn't find any problems, Fiat USA is still working with me to find a solution. Hopefully, we'll have a positive outcome soon!

  4. Greg Romaguera 2025-05-09

    Vehicle year: 2014

    I really like my new 500L, but unfortunately, it broke down after just 6 days and 350ml of driving in stop and go traffic on I-25 outside Denver. The twin clutch automatic heated up, smoked, and shut down the system. Thankfully, roadside assistance towed it back to the Fiat dealer, where it was fixed and drivable again after three days. Although the dealer and the engineer in Italy couldn't find any problems, Fiat USA is still working with me to find a solution. Hopefully, we'll have a positive outcome soon!

  5. Toby Considine 2025-03-03

    Vehicle year: 2015

    This has been a great car for us overall. We've taken several long trips (3-8 hours in the car) and have never had any issues. It's a comfortable ride for both my wife (5'4) and me (5'10), whether we're in the front or back. Our son, who is almost 1, has spent his entire life riding in this car. While it's a bit cramped in the back with the car seat in the middle, it's not too bad. The trunk doesn't fit our jogger stroller very well, but it's just enough for the stroller and nothing else. We really should have gotten a larger car, but my wife fell in love with the unique look of this one, and you just don't see many of them around. The Navigation is acceptable, although I wish it had real-time traffic updates and CarPlay support. After a few software updates, the Bluetooth now connects to Siri, and we don't have to deal with the terrible default voice recognition software. Plugging your iPhone into the USB port gets you a few different experiences, but the Bluetooth pairing has been pretty good now. The only thing I haven't liked about the car is the transmission, and probably more about the lack of education about it. When we bought the car, we were told about the different transmission, but never how it meant we had to treat the car differently than any other automatic. A few months after buying the car, a drive-through Starbucks opened up near our house, and my wife has become a regular there. Sometimes she has to wait in line quite a while and sits in drive with her foot on the brake. After a few minutes, she notices a smell. It smells like burning coolant or something sweet like that. She tried to figure out the cause, but couldn't. Every time we took it to the dealer, they could never replicate it.Another time, my wife's car had some smoke coming out from under it. After some serious Google-fu, I was able to track down the issue to the fact that we should put the car in neutral when stopped for an extended period of time. Unfortunately, there's no documentation that specifies what 'an extended period of time' is, so we now put the car in neutral whenever we're stopped for more than just a stop sign. We wish the dealer had been more forthcoming with this information when we bought the car. In fact, my wife may have changed her mind about the car if she had known this beforehand. Despite this, she still loves the car, but wishes it had a slightly larger trunk. Update: 2/4/2017 - We've added another child to our family, which makes the car feel even smaller. While a double stroller will fit in the trunk, it takes some Tetris skills. Unfortunately, there's no room for an adult in the back with the two car seats, unless they're super thin. When it comes down to it, once we're done with the payments, this car will go to me and my wife will get a larger car to drive the kids around in. We should have gotten a larger car from day one, but we're happy with this one for now. Repair-wise, it's been pretty trouble-free, which is good considering our local dealer stopped servicing FIATs and we now have to go 30 miles to get dealer warranties. Update 2/6/2018 - In December 2017, the car had transmission issues with a lack of power. We could force it into lower gears via manual selection and go, but it was tough moving from a stop. We took it to the local dealer (who never stopped servicing FIATs, even though they told me they were going to) and had them look at it. They thought it was one thing, but two weeks later, they still had it and it wasn't fixed, so they had to replace the entire transmission. That fixed it, but a new transmission at 30k miles is ridiculous. It was outside the warranty, but we had our extended warranty which covers it for 10 years or 100k miles, so out of pocket for us was only $100.According to the service rep, the cost would have been around $10k without the warranty. While I cannot recommend this car in good conscience, I do know that the 2014 or 2015 model has a redesigned transmission (pretty much standard instead of some double dry clutch monstrosity), which may improve the car's reliability for those models.

Latest positive Fiat 500l car reviews

  1. Jon Mann 2025-08-01

    Vehicle year: 2015

    I bought a Fiat 500L Trekking in September 2013. To be honest, it took me quite a while to get used to its rather quirky transmission -- and I have a manual!! However, after some time, I have grown to love it. The issue was the six gears and the need for a quick shift between first and second, but now that I have gotten used to how and when to shift, I am very happy with my purchase. This vehicle has all the features of the pricier Honda CRV at about 5K less -- and it looks better and handles better on the road. Last month, I took it on an 800-mile road trip, and it was so enjoyable to drive. The gas mileage is also far better than I expected -- I am getting over 29 miles per gallon (combined highway/city).

  2. Prince Champlin 2025-07-18

    Vehicle year: 2014

    I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed your 2012 500c, but I understand the need for something a little larger. It's great to hear that you're pleased with your new 500L so far, even after driving only 500 miles. The Dual Dry Clutch Automatic sounds like a great feature, providing both fuel efficiency and the pick up you need for merging into heavy traffic on the highway. It's also good to know that taller people fit well in the car, even with the sunroof. Overall, it sounds like the car has an excellent ride quality and everything is working as it should. Plus, it's always a bonus when a car is both comfortable and fun to drive!

  3. Everardo Padberg 2025-07-16

    Vehicle year: 2015

    This is definitely one of the most underrated cars on the market today. Despite the funky exterior (which may not appeal to American tastes), it's a fantastic car, especially in a market segment that has been essentially abandoned. We purchased our first 500L (Trekking with manual transmission) back in February and we absolutely loved it. We only encountered minor annoyances such as the armrest and hand brake operation, which we would have found in any car. We loved driving it on a daily basis and on the freeway, and it was perfect for hauling our two Great Danes around with us. When my wife unfortunately wrecked the car and the insurance company totaled it, we immediately went for another 500L (fully loaded Lounge) without hesitation, because my wife was not hurt at all.

  4. Tyler Nolan 2025-07-09

    Vehicle year: 2014

    Impressive cargo space and great visibility! I'm thrilled to say that the Abarth turbo engine is a real standout feature -- ZOOM!!! I have to say, the dealer support has been exceptional, even for someone like me who has been driving many brands of cars and trucks for over 60 years. I'm getting a fantastic 30-33 mpg on regular gas while driving 125 miles per day. Overall, this car is just a blast to drive...........

  5. Paul Hoeger 2025-07-05

    Vehicle year: 2015

    I bought my 500L back in July 2013 and when I tried to insure it, Progressive didn't have a rate for this vehicle. But that's just because I was an early adopter of the 500L! After 7 months of driving it, I can confidently say that I'm more than pleased with its performance, quality, economy, and just plain fun. While there have been some reports of transmission issues, those were caused by a faulty version of the controller software, which has since been corrected. Unfortunately, a small group of three or four people who were affected by this issue have been spreading false information everywhere they can. But don't be fooled! There are over 25,000 units with the DDCT, tens of thousands of Dodge Dart DDCT units, and over 100,000 good units worldwide. So, if you're considering a 500L, I highly recommend it!

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