Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2014 Fiat 500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2014 Fiat 500. The vehicle had previously been serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V302000 (Power Train) however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was not able to downshift and the gear shifter was stuck in neutral(N). The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Fiat 500. The contact stated that while driving on a neighborhood street at 10 MPH, the transmission experienced an abnormal difficulty in the shifting gear. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact coasted to a stop on the side of the road, and had the vehicle towed to a local independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the shifter cable assembly was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 50,222.
The contact owns a 2014 Fiat 500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine and TPMS warning lights illuminated and the vehicle began to hesitate while accelerating. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the powertrain control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.
Vehicle was operating as normal. Came to a stop, shifted car into neutral to rest foot, light turned green, tried to shift back in to gear from a stop and the clutch pressure plate was all wrong, wouldn't allow the car to go back in to gear. Luckily this happened at 3am and no traffic on the roads. The clutch it self did not go out, other clutch components are the issue. Lots of other fiat owner are all having the same issue. Gives out with no warning.
Dealer saw me that is needing a battery replaced On February 14, I took my fiat 500 E to the dealer for repairs. They then told me that it has a bad main battery problems and has to be replaced they gave me a price of $17,000. As a City employee. We do not make that much money. I bought this vehicle for my daughter. She's is an A honor student.
First incident was two weeks after I purchased the Fiat 500l. The brakes jammed and I ended rear ending another vehicle. The second incident was six weeks ago after replacing the front brakes. I purchased new rotors and pads;that evening the brakes jammed and caused me to rear end another vehicle twice. My Fiat 500l has experienced losing communication from the computer to the transmission, which caused my vehicle to stall on various streets and while in moving traffic. On Friday 13, 2015; my Fiat 500l made a noise so loud that it sounded like it was going to blow up. I immediately checked the engine and it sounded like a large heavy piece of metal was trying to break through the engine wall. I turned the vehicle off and waited for 20 min. I started the vehicle and the noise went away. As I pulled off the vehicle started making a real loud noise and shut off. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Fiat 500l. While the vehicle was in drive and idling, the transmisson clucth started to heat up and smoke. The contact had to turn the vehicle off in order for the failure to stop. The failure recurred on numerious occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer twice. On the first visit, the contact was informed that the failure would stop eventually. On the second visit, the dealer advised the contact to place the vehicle in netural to disengage the clutch. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 17,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Fiat 500. While at a stop, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to accelerate. The contact noticed smoke coming from the tires. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who diagnosed that the transmission ball bearings needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 4,000.
In May 2014 my 2014 Fiat 500l was brought to ziegler dealership for a safety recall concerning the automatic transaxle gear shift module and they flashed the esm (recall on NHTSA website). In January 2015 we noticed a burning smell under the engine. If we put car into reverse and gas pedal pushed, car hesitated 1-2 seconds before the car would start moving. Car lurched forward several times on road at a dead stop. Rough shifting on roads. Check transmission and engine warning light illuminated in early feb 2015 and we brought it back to ziegler. They determined it needed a new transmission control module. Only 4 modules in the entire us, and all were spoken for (4 other fiats in for the exact same problem). Ziegler contacted the manufacturer to get an "upgraded" transmission module, not the one originally designed for the car. …
While at a stand still in gear at a drive thru, car started smoking heavily. Strong smell of something burning. Took car in to service dept. Was told that this particular model vehicle has been having issues with stop and go traffic. Was told there was nothing they could do. Researched problem and have found out that there seem s to be a lot of issues with the ddct transmission on these cars. Called Fiat USA and explained to them the problem and was advised that we had to place the vehicle (automatic transmission) in neutral at every stop and go situation. Dealer checked clutch system on vehicle and advised us that yes there was signs of clutch overheated. Called Fiat USA again and advised them of what dealer had said and Fiat USA told me that I was responsible because I did not read my owners manual. …
Related recalls
Power train › Manual transmission
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.
Remedy: The remedy for this recall will include the installation of a clutch pedal limiter and a clutch pedal switch. The recall began on November 10, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
Power train › Automatic transmission
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.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EVCU, free of charge. The recall began June 19, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R20.
Transmission complaints in other 500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2014 Fiat 500?
NHTSA has 67 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2014 Fiat 500, 54% of the model year's 124 complaints. The component named most often is clutch assembly (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2014 Fiat 500 transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 16V-302 (manual transmission, May 16, 2016); NHTSA recall 15V-291 (automatic transmission, May 18, 2015). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2014 Fiat 500 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 17,000 miles, and 61% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 3 fires and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.