What Do Owners Like and Dislike About the Fiat 500? But what about the Fiat 500 reliability? Now that is a design defect in my corner. The US models were produced in the Chrysler factory in Toluca, Mexico. Many users have complained about several interior accessories malfunction in the Fiat 500. The manufacturer issued a recall to replace the diesel head gasket, which had several problems. The car also had a couple other strange intermittent issues we'll get to later. If its deep within the engine, it could be quite expensive. With that said, the Fiat 500 model year with the most problems is the 2016 Fiat 500. On the 4th tap, there was a click & that was the valve releasing. Our two Fiat 500s have never been in the garage except for yearly servicing.We also run a mk7 Golf Gti pp and that has been totally reliable in30000+ miles ,but if you look at the owners forum it would put you off buying one. These models tend to cost a bit more and also, they are a bit more expensive to fix. Now lets get into the main topic of this article and that is the Fiat 500 Abarth reliability. The Fiat 500 is a outstanding car in the reliability department. We have a focus on strong photography, and engaging articles about performance, luxury and interesting cars. Yes, the 500 was originally sold with suicide doors that opened from the front of the car. 10. This is why in the following chapters, we learn everything about it. Fiat 500 is a small but reliable and durable car. Fiat 500 has had several steering issues in the past. However, it also has several problems that interested buyers should be ready to tackle. The 500 Abarth received a 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that made 160 hp, or 59 more than the standard 500. Diagnosing a vacuum leak can be tricky. The engine is producing 160hp and 170lb-ft of torque. A common problem that older Fiat 500 owners complain about is electrical issues including warning lights on the dashboard. Let Fiat know the crap storm that is coming!, According to JD Power, this score, Measures the level of defects, malfunctions and design flaws experienced by vehicle owners. What Car? "text": "The word Abarth is derived from the last name of its founder. How long does it take to fully charge the Fiat 500e? What makes this model special? The Best and Worst Years for the Fiat 500. According to Car Complaints, a site dedicated to owner feedback, this typically occurred around 35,000 miles and costs roughly $1,250 to fix. Thanks for your reply chris3234 it has helped to calm me down a bit! You can visit your distant friend, relative or even rush to the grocery store a few miles from your home with a lot of ease. On certain 2016 Fiat 500 models, the tire placard shows a tire inflation pressure for the spare tire that exceeds its maximum working pressure. 2019 Fiat 500 Abarth Cabrio Fiat. Besides, you should also have the battery tested and replaced if it is bad. Marinara on a bagel probably wouldnt be good, but when the Italians get together and bring something new over to the States, its usually cause for celebration. CarComplaints.com Notes: Considering sales numbers and data that monitors complaints-per-make, there appears to be an unusually high number of issues with the 2012 Fiat 500. Nonetheless, the Fiat 500e is set to change this rating as it is slightly more reliable than its siblings. In most cases, the clutch assembly will require replacing, and this was due to a design defect. Transmission stuck in neutral or gear. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. You might be able to remedy this by spraying white lithium grease in the slip joint of the steering shaft, you should see this directly above the brake pedal. For the 2023 model year, Volvo is giving the V60 a subtle What are the common problems with Fiat 500? In the following overview, you will find the most common problems for the Fiat 500, for which Fiat has announced a recall through the EU Rapex system. And this is why we are going to cover what is the Fiat 500 and why is such a legend. Preemptive maintenance like regular oil changes, fluid flushes, tire rotation, and fuel system cleaners, along with keeping the exterior and underside of your car clean, will all increase the life expectancy of your car. "2012 Fiat C, less than 16,000 miles owned by a 68 year old, babied, and the clutch starts to slip under load of acceleration. Besides, the problems take place in the right-hand driveshaft. But if the battery is working okay, then there is a chance that the wire harness is damaged or broken. The front seatbelts installed in cars made between 1 September and 20 November 2014 might not restrain occupants correctly in a collision. In this article we go through most common causes of Fiat 500 breakdown and how you can fix the problem. These cars were featured on Watchdog as the engines would regularly fail to produce the power needed to effectively climb hills. Uncomfortable headrests. Just make sure that this is a good example. Talk to attorney suggested to just get fixed would be cheaper then proving to a company they cant bully consumers. Read More. The issue could also prematurely wear the shocks themselves. You must log in or register to reply here. Fiat did eventually issue a recall for certain 2012-2016 Fiat 500 cars equipped with a manual transmission. There are a number of them listed on Edmunds and also on Autotrader. Common problems with the Fiat 500. It is even smaller than the Mini Cooper. "name": "Are Fiat 500 Reliable", Posted on the Fiat 500 USA Forum, heres one owners account: Well, since I got the car it makes a clunk sound when I hit small potholes or manhole covers that are not leveled with the road surface. Be sure to rotate the wheel lock to lock a few times to work the grease in good. This problem was mostly linked to the 2012 2016 models. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. They have spoken to two Fiat dealers, both said they sell at least one of these units per month. Based on carcomplaints.com, these model years have the most complaints. A: That depends on the production date and, more importantly, if you or the previous owner followed its regularly scheduled maintenance and treated it with care or like a used newspaper. Oct 18, 2010. (Solved & Explained). All of these models have reported over 30 problems, which is quite high compared to other model years. Jrkitching spoke wise words the older they get the more of a money pit they become. Well, the Abarth is not your regular Fiat 500. Continue with Recommended Cookies. When it comes to the fuel economy of the Abarth, we can say that it is rather good. I've owned a dozen . Like most cars, the Fiat 500e can last for over a long period if the user maintains it properly and adheres to the manufacturers recommended scheduled service maintenance. Continue with Recommended Cookies. That is quite some list, I think the only one of those that our car has had since we bought it new (in 2009) is the rear hatch handle every winter. The founder of Abarth was the Austro-Italian Carlo Abarth. I have driven this car for about a year, I really enjoy it. . Owners of Fiat Chrysler vehicles, for better or worse, seem to share the same common problems. On top of that, the clutch may slip occasionally. . if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[468,60],'luxurycarsa2z_com-box-2','ezslot_3',103,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-luxurycarsa2z_com-box-2-0');Fiat 500 is a city car with excellent handling, good fuel economy, iconic, retro styling, and decent reliability. So, you can get one with relatively low miles on the odometer. Until you start digging. Fiat 500e is a small and zero-emissions car with lots of fascinating features. On Fiat 500 owners forums, youll find many complaints about the dreaded steering clunk issue and it isnt exclusive to US models either. If its a loose body panel, likely not. 2012 Fiat 500 POP hatchback 1 Answer. Note that these problems are more common in some models years than others. To keep the engine cool, Fiat also fitted the 500 Abarth with a different front fascia. She is nine years old now and still drives like a champ. 2000 mi: Head gasket was faulty or improperly installed from factory. But what is worth noting is that this model was on hiatus between 1975 when the production of the first generation of the 500 was stopped. The suspension is mostly quiet and absorbs things well. Interior cabin electrical issues. If your Fiat 500 is fitted with the 0.9-litre TwinAir engine, then there's a chance it could be prone to oil leaking from the timing cover. Fiat 500 1.2 Common Engine Faults. Lexus spent 15 years creating the perfect paint, for goodness sake. Imagine how life was before the invention of cars?? This is a really peppy engine that has a strong performance. You are using an out of date browser. Aug 9, 2012. Nevertheless, the wheelbase of the Fiat 500 is 90.6 inches and the overall length is 139.6 inches. i would need to check the circuit to know for sure. On top of these safety concerns, drivers also had a few complaints about the overall feel of the 2016 Fiat 500X: Transmission felt unsmooth. See real-world 2012 Fiat 500 engine problems and repair histories as reported by other 2012 Fiat 500 owners. The most common causes that hinders normal operation of air conditioning system on your Fiat 500 are dirty cabin air filter, refrigerant leak, dirty or clogged condenser, dirty or clogged evaporator, bad blower motor, defective compressor, faulty blend door actuator or any fault in the electrical system. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. Yes, they are reliable. According to some owners of the 2012 Fiat 500, problems with the ball joint are common for some model units. Wow! Car ReviewsExperiencesNewsMotorsportProduct ReviewsTroubleshootingTrending. . "@type": "Answer", The Fiat 500 is not an exception as it also has several engine problems. How do you replace the handbrake cable? This is because the average annual cost of maintaining a similar car is around $650 while maintaining the Fiat 500e will cost you between $400 and $500. And the reintroduction of this model to the market in 2007. Short answer: you. TA's. Leaking radiators. This problem is not thought to pose an immediate risk of danger to the driver and is more of an annoyance. And the Fiat 500, the BMW Isetta, and other small models were really popular back then. Most likely it is coming from the windscreen area, so make sure the drains are clean and flowing freely. Fiat still used the name for their high-performance models. Has anyone heard of a 99 250 with a 7 lug. } Front-wheel drive. This problem can be commonly associated with the vehicle's strut mounts becoming worn prematurely. Lets first learn more about the engines and transmissions used in this model. Are Kia Souls Good Cars: Everything You Need To Know. The mechanic will then pinpoint the problem and fix the faulty part. Fault #5: Interior problems Fun car, what a disappointment. It's really interesting coming from a 2013 Panda Hardly any of the mechanical issues that the 500 seems to suffer are shared with the Panda. Overall, these are the most common problems with this vehicle. B dated October 18, 2014 supersedes TSB 18-007-14 REV. But it got a poor score on the small overlap frontal offset test. 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