2013 Fiat 500 Problems

Above Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2013 Fiat 500.

20122014
Complaints
214
Crashes
14
Fires
3
Injuries
9
Fatalities
Recalls
3

Worst 2013 Fiat 500 Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#176 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Avg mileage:60,495 mi
Crash-related:1
Fires:2
#222 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:36,686 mi
Fires:1
#316 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:52,283 mi
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2013 Fiat 500.

Transmission / Drivetrain
76
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
2
Avg Miles
60,495
Engine Problems
22
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
36,686
Electrical Faults
16
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
52,283
Fuel System
12
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
21,033
Airbags
10
complaints
Crashes
7
Fires
Avg Miles
38,883
Headlight/Taillight Failures
9
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
67,891
Body Structure
8
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
51,629
Brakes
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
22,554
Steering Defects
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
22,800
Unintended Acceleration
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
4,250
Seat Belt Issues
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Tire Defects
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electronic Stability Control
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structural Problems
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension Failures
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Sunroof/Moonroof
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wheel Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Instrument Cluster
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hatchback/Liftgate:Lock
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Power Train:Manual Transmission:Column Shift Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Tires:Temporary/Emergency Spare Tire
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wipers & Visibility
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2013 Fiat 500. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2013 Fiat 500

3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~94,824 vehicles.

19V817000Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift · Automatic Transmission
~51,788 affected

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Fiat 500 vehicles equipped with 6-speed automatic transmissions. The shifter cable bushing may fail allowing the cable to detach from the transmission.

16V302000Manual Transmission
~39,185 affected

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2012-2016 Fiat 500 vehicles manufactured June 21, 2010, through January 12, 2016, equipped with a manual transmission. The clutch diaphragm spring may fracture and fail, causing an inability to switch gears.

15V291000Automatic Transmission
~3,851 affected

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Fiat 500 battery electric vehicles manufactured March 8, 2013, to March 7, 2015. The Electric Vehicle Control Unit (EVCU) of the affected vehicles may set a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) that may cause the transmission to unexpectedly shift to neutral.

Other Fiat 500 Years

2013 Fiat 500 — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2013 Fiat 500 reliable?
Verdict: Above Average Complaints. The 2013 Fiat 500 has 214 NHTSA complaints, 14 crash-related, and 3 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Transmission / Drivetrain with 76 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2013 Fiat 500?
Top reported problems: Transmission / Drivetrain (76 complaints, avg 60,495 mi); Engine Problems (22 complaints, avg 36,686 mi); Electrical Faults (16 complaints, avg 52,283 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2013 Fiat 500?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 47,937 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2013 Fiat 500?
NHTSA complaints for the 2013 Fiat 500 include 14 crash-related reports, 3 fire reports, 9 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2013 Fiat 500 have any recalls?
Yes — 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 94,824 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2013 Fiat 500?
Slightly worse than average. Most owners are fine; problem clusters are concentrated around specific components. Check the issues table below and match against the specific car's mileage.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Fiat 500 reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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