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2016 Fiat 500X

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

101 reports with mileage · 53 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 52 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 50 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 48 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports3 fire reports2 injury reports

Power Train complaints

50 reports
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18,000 miles · Feb 12, 2018
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

CAR WAS GETTING OIL CHANGE AT ANOTHER FACILITY. THE WORKERS NOTICED THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE CAR WAS MELTED AND DEFORMED. THERE WAS MAJOR OIL OR OTHER FLUIDS LEAKING. CAR WAS BROUGHT IN AND FIXED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. IT WAS FIXED INCORRECTLY AND HAD TO BE TOWED IN AFTER BEING FIXED. THE CAR ST…

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CAR WAS GETTING OIL CHANGE AT ANOTHER FACILITY. THE WORKERS NOTICED THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE CAR WAS MELTED AND DEFORMED. THERE WAS MAJOR OIL OR OTHER FLUIDS LEAKING. CAR WAS BROUGHT IN AND FIXED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. IT WAS FIXED INCORRECTLY AND HAD TO BE TOWED IN AFTER BEING FIXED. THE CAR STOPPED DRIVING. NO ONE WAS ABLE TO TELL ME WHY THE CAR WAS LIKE THAT AND WHY IT WAS FIXED INCORRECTLY AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THEN SEVERAL WEEKS LATER, THE CAR HAD ANOTHER INCIDENT AND HAD TO BE TOWED IN. THE DRIVESHAFT WAS BROKEN AND REPLACED. THESE TWO MAJOR COMPONENTS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE REPLACED IN A CAR LESS THAN 2 YEARS OR 20,000 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT OFFERED ANY CONCESSION OR EXPLANATION. THE MANAGER EVENTUALLY TOLD ME THE CAR WAS "DEFORMED". I DON'T FEEL SAFE IN THE CAR. THE CAR WAS NOT SHOWING SYMPTOMS WITH THE FIRST INCIDENT ONLY LEAKED FLUID. THE SECOND TIME WITH THE DRIVE SHAFT IT WAS IN MOTION.

NHTSA ODI #11072404

32,000 miles · Dec 27, 2017
Power Train

I SLIGHTLY OVERSHOT A STOP SIGN AT THE BOTTOM OF A STEEP HILL. I SAW THAT A CAR WITH THE RIGHT OF WAY WAS RAPIDLY APPROACH THE INTERSECTION SO I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE WITH THE INTENT TO BACK UP THE CAR A COUPLE OF FEET. I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND INSTEAD OF ENGAGING THE GEAR IN REVERSE, THE CAR …

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I SLIGHTLY OVERSHOT A STOP SIGN AT THE BOTTOM OF A STEEP HILL. I SAW THAT A CAR WITH THE RIGHT OF WAY WAS RAPIDLY APPROACH THE INTERSECTION SO I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE WITH THE INTENT TO BACK UP THE CAR A COUPLE OF FEET. I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND INSTEAD OF ENGAGING THE GEAR IN REVERSE, THE CAR ROLLED FORWARD IN NEUTRAL FARTHER INTO THE INTERSECTION BEFORE THE GEAR WAS ENGAGED BY THE COMPUTER. LUCKILY, THE CAR JERKED BACKWARD IN TIME WHEN THE COMPUTER FINALLY ENGAGED THE GEAR. THE DELAY IN THE COMPUTER RECOGNIZING THE GEAR IS COMMON. EVEN THOUGH I HAVE ALL SOFTWARE UPDATES FOR THE TRANSMISSION, THE COMPUTER FREQUENTLY LAGS IN SHIFTING TO THE APPROPRIATE GEAR. WHEN IT DOES SHIFT, THERE IS NOTICEABLE JERK.

NHTSA ODI #11056746

27,400 miles · Dec 11, 2017
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

I RECEIVED THE ERROR MESSAGE "DRIVE MODE UNAVAILABLE" WITH A SERVICE ENGINE MESSAGE AFTER MY LAST REGULAR SERVICE APPOINTMENT AND OIL CHANGE. MY CAR IS AT 27,400 MILES AND AFTER THROWING THAT CODE BARELY COULD MAKE IT UP A RESIDENTIAL HILL. AFTER THE LOCAL SERVICE DEPARTMENT CLAIMED TO HAVE FIXED IT, 3 MILES DOWN THE ROAD THE …

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I RECEIVED THE ERROR MESSAGE "DRIVE MODE UNAVAILABLE" WITH A SERVICE ENGINE MESSAGE AFTER MY LAST REGULAR SERVICE APPOINTMENT AND OIL CHANGE. MY CAR IS AT 27,400 MILES AND AFTER THROWING THAT CODE BARELY COULD MAKE IT UP A RESIDENTIAL HILL. AFTER THE LOCAL SERVICE DEPARTMENT CLAIMED TO HAVE FIXED IT, 3 MILES DOWN THE ROAD THE MESSAGE POPPED UP AGAIN AND DRIVING WAS DIFFICULT. MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP HAS HAD MY FIAT 500X NOW THE SECOND TIME SINCE DECEMBER 1ST WITH NO UPDATES FOR ME.

NHTSA ODI #11054070

33,000 miles · Dec 2, 2017
Power Train

TRANSMISSION HESITATES TO ENGAGE AFTER PRESSING ACCELERATOR AND ALSO SHIFTS ROUGHLY WHEN IT DOES CHANGE GEARS. ALL AVAILABLE SOFTWARE PATCHES HAVE BEEN APPLIED BY DEALER, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, ESPECIALLY WHEN MERGING OR TURNING INTO TRAFFIC, SINCE ACCELERATION CAN LAG RANDOMLY WHEN IT IS NEEDED TH…

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TRANSMISSION HESITATES TO ENGAGE AFTER PRESSING ACCELERATOR AND ALSO SHIFTS ROUGHLY WHEN IT DOES CHANGE GEARS. ALL AVAILABLE SOFTWARE PATCHES HAVE BEEN APPLIED BY DEALER, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, ESPECIALLY WHEN MERGING OR TURNING INTO TRAFFIC, SINCE ACCELERATION CAN LAG RANDOMLY WHEN IT IS NEEDED THE MOST. BECAUSE OF THE ACCELERATION BURSTS AND LAGS WHEN SHIFTING, THE CAR IS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AND PROVIDES A HERKY-JERKY DRIVING EXPERIENCE.

NHTSA ODI #11051856

28,300 miles · Nov 15, 2017
Power Train

MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT PROPERLY. THERE ARE CONSTANT DELAYS IN SHIFTING. UPON ANY ACCELERATION, MY VEHICLE WILL FAIL TO SHIFT FOR UP TO SEVERAL MINUTES. DURING THAT TIME THE ENGINE WILL REV UP TO 600 RPMS BEFORE FINALLY SHIFTING. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME I ACCELERATE QUICKLY WITH EVERY GEAR. ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBL…

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MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT PROPERLY. THERE ARE CONSTANT DELAYS IN SHIFTING. UPON ANY ACCELERATION, MY VEHICLE WILL FAIL TO SHIFT FOR UP TO SEVERAL MINUTES. DURING THAT TIME THE ENGINE WILL REV UP TO 600 RPMS BEFORE FINALLY SHIFTING. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME I ACCELERATE QUICKLY WITH EVERY GEAR. ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE TO PASS OTHER CARS OR SPEED UP QUICKLY. ALL SHIFTING IS CLUNKY AND VEHICLE OFTEN SUDDENLY DOWNSHIFTS WHILE DRIVING ON AN OPEN HIGHWAY AND MAINTAINING A SPEED OF 55MPH TO 60MPH. ALSO DOWNSHIFTS SUDDENLY DURING NORMAL STREE DRIVING. VEHICLE WILL NOT GO ANY FASTER THAN 75MPH-EVEN ON A STEEP DOWNSLOPE. I CAN FLOOR THE GAS PEDAL AND CAR SIMPLY WILL NOT GO FASTER THAN 75MPH. I MUST SWITCH TO SPORT MODE TO GO ANY FASTER, BUT THEN AVERAGE RPMS ARE 300-350 AND VEHICLE USES TOO MUCH GAS. I HAVE OWNED IT ONLY 30 DAYS. PURCHASED FROM A DEALER. ONE PREVIOUS OWNER. ONLY 28000 MILES ODO. IDLES SOMEWHAT ROUGH AND SLIGHT KNOCKING HEARD FROM ENGINE WHILE OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE. HAVE HAD IT BACK TO DEALER WHO DENIED ANY PROBLEM, BUT GAVE ME NO PAPERWORK TO TELL ME WHAT WAS CHECKED. TAKING IT BACK TOMORROW. PROBLEMS ARE A SERIOUS DANGER WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI #11046176

40,000 miles · Oct 25, 2017
EnginePower Train

ENGINE IS VERY SHAKY WHEN STALLED AT STOP LIGHTS, ETC. SERVICE LIGHT RECENTLY CAME ON AND CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR EVALUATION AS IT IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THE COOLING FAN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BUT IS ON A NATIONAL BACKORDER WITH NO ETA. CAR CAN NO LONGER BE DRIVEN IN TRAFFIC AS IT QUICKLY OVERHEATS.

NHTSA ODI #11039728

2,000 miles · Sep 5, 2017
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FIAT 500X. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY EXPERIENCED SEVERE JERKING AND HESITATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (CROWN CHRYSLER/FIAT LOCATED IN CHATTANOOGA, TN) WHERE THE PCM, TCM, AND TRANSMISSION WERE REPROGRAMMED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FIAT 500X. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY EXPERIENCED SEVERE JERKING AND HESITATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (CROWN CHRYSLER/FIAT LOCATED IN CHATTANOOGA, TN) WHERE THE PCM, TCM, AND TRANSMISSION WERE REPROGRAMMED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000.

NHTSA ODI #11021571

700 miles · Jul 12, 2017
Power TrainService Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FIAT 500X. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE GEAR SELECTOR ERRONEOUSLY SWITCHED FROM DRIVE INTO NEUTRAL, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (RICK CASE FIAT/CHRYSLER OF DAVIES, FLORIDA), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. IN ADDITION, WHILE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FIAT 500X. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE GEAR SELECTOR ERRONEOUSLY SWITCHED FROM DRIVE INTO NEUTRAL, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (RICK CASE FIAT/CHRYSLER OF DAVIES, FLORIDA), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE, THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED, LOCKED UP, AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE PADS WERE FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V529000 (POWER TRAIN), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 700.

NHTSA ODI #11004856

14,000 miles · Dec 28, 2016
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

VEHICLE GOES INTO "LIMP MODE" ANYTIME WHEELS SLIP, UNTILL COMPUTER CLEARS NO THROTTLE OR MOTION, VEHICLE IS INOPERABLE FOR OVER 5+ SECONDS AND THEN ACCELERATED AT WHATEVER POSITION THROTTLE IS AT. DEALER AND MECHANICS SAY ALL NEW FIATS 2 AND 4WHEEL DRIVE ALL HAVE THIS ISSUE AND THEY CANNOT FIX. I PULLED OUT INTO TRAFFIC, WHEEL S…

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VEHICLE GOES INTO "LIMP MODE" ANYTIME WHEELS SLIP, UNTILL COMPUTER CLEARS NO THROTTLE OR MOTION, VEHICLE IS INOPERABLE FOR OVER 5+ SECONDS AND THEN ACCELERATED AT WHATEVER POSITION THROTTLE IS AT. DEALER AND MECHANICS SAY ALL NEW FIATS 2 AND 4WHEEL DRIVE ALL HAVE THIS ISSUE AND THEY CANNOT FIX. I PULLED OUT INTO TRAFFIC, WHEEL SLIPPED AND WENT INTO LIMP IN MIDDLE OF LANES UNTILL IT CLEARED AND TOOK OFF AT HALF THROTTLE AND ALMOST GOT SMEARED BY TRAFFIC. DEALER SAYS ALL FIATS HAVE SAME PROBLEM AND ONLY SOLUTION IS TO GIVE A LOT OF LEAD TIME BEFORE ENTERING TRAFFIC AND TRY NOT TO ACCELERATE AS TO MAKE WHEELS SLIP WHEN ROAD CONDITIONS MAY CAUSE SLIPPING. THIS HAS HAPPEND PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC AND WHILE ON RAMPS, HILLS. IF ON CURVE OR HILL VEHICLE WILL GO INT "LIMP MODE" AND WILL JUST SLIDE DOWN HILLS AND THROUGH CURVES!!!

NHTSA ODI #10938379

2,278 miles · Dec 8, 2016
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

MY 500X THAT I PURCHASED IN JULY OF 2016 HAS SHIFTED GEARS TO THE + SYMBOL 4 DIFFERENT TIMES WHILE IM DRIVING. IT STARTED IN SEPT BUT I THOUGHT I HAD IT A BUMP OR SOMETHING. IT HAPPENED AGAIN 3 TIMES I DID GO BACK TO THE BETTENHAUSER DEALER FOR SERVICE 3 TIMES AND THEY SAID I HAD TO NOT TURN THE CAR OFF AND GET TO THEM BEFORE TH…

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MY 500X THAT I PURCHASED IN JULY OF 2016 HAS SHIFTED GEARS TO THE + SYMBOL 4 DIFFERENT TIMES WHILE IM DRIVING. IT STARTED IN SEPT BUT I THOUGHT I HAD IT A BUMP OR SOMETHING. IT HAPPENED AGAIN 3 TIMES I DID GO BACK TO THE BETTENHAUSER DEALER FOR SERVICE 3 TIMES AND THEY SAID I HAD TO NOT TURN THE CAR OFF AND GET TO THEM BEFORE THEY CLOSED BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT SEE CODES TO THE PROBLEM .AT THIS POINT IN TIME THEY GAVE ME A LOANER TO DRIVE FOR ABOUT A WEEK WHILE THEY DROVE THE CAR. THEY SAID THEY FOUND NOTHING. I TOOK MY CAR BACK 2 WEEKS AGO AND I DRIVE WITH A PRAYER THAT IT DOESN,T HAPPEN AGAIN WHILE IM IN TRAFFIC AS IT DID BEFORE SCARING ME TO DEATH. DO YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS. I SEE NO RECALLS ON THIS PROBLEM SO FAR BUT SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH MY CAR. THANK YOU. ALL THIS HAPPENED WHEN I WAS IN TRAFFIC ON THE CITY STREETS OF CHICAGO. I DID COME VERY CLOSE TO HAVING A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT THREE TIMES.THE SERVICE DEPT HAS INCORRECT MILEAGE ON DATES I WAS IN FOR THIS PROBLEM. CORRECT DATE FOR 10/18/16 MILEAGE 2,378 FOR 10/26/16 INCORRECT MILEAGE 7,531 CORRECT MILEAGE FOR 1115/16 2,728 . *TR

NHTSA ODI #10933910

Official recalls

1

16V529000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Jul 12, 2016

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Jeep Cherokee and 2015 Chrysler 200, Jeep Renegade, RAM ProMaster, and 2016 Fiat 500X vehicles equipped with 9-speed automatic transmissions. The transmission sensor clusters may have insufficient crimps in the transmission wire harness, and as a result, the transmission may unexpectedly shift to neutral. On August 29, 2016 Chrysler added the 2016 Fiat 500X vehicles to this recall.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the vehicle unexpectedly shifts to neutral, there is an increased risk of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, dealers will reprogram the Powertrain Control Module and the Transmission Control Module and if necessary replace the transaxle range sensor wire harness, free of charge. The recall began on November 7, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S55.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.