Fiat 500 Electrical Problems

Owners have filed 136 complaints about electrical system problems with the Fiat 500 — 17% of all 500 complaints. The worst model years are 2012 (63), 2015 (26) and 2014 (22). Problems typically start around 31,000 miles. No electrical recall has been issued for the 500.

136complaints
2012worst year
31ktypical miles
0related recalls
4crashes
6fires

Electrical complaints by model year

20122013201420152016201720186317222635
Electrical complaints per model year, Fiat 500.
YearComplaintsShare of year's complaintsTypical mileage
2017536%16,000 miles
2016321%25,000 miles
20152628%23,000 miles
20142218%6,000 miles
20131710%38,000 miles
20126316%42,000 miles

Which parts fail

  • Instrument cluster/panel
    5
  • Wiring › Rear compartment/trunk
    3
  • Ignition
    1
  • Alternator/generator/regulator
    1
  • Starter assembly
    1

Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    4442%
  • 25k–50k
    3029%
  • 50k–75k
    1817%
  • 75k–100k
    66%
  • 100k–150k
    33%
  • 150k+
    33%

What owners report

The contact owns a 2017 Fiat 500. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the check engine, TPMS, and several unknown warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle was jerking and making an abnormal sound. The failure was recurrent. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who was unable to duplicate or determine the cause of the failure. The dealer was contacted by phone. The failure mileage was approximately 15,873.

2017 500 · 16,000 miles · Jul 2026

My 2017 Silver FIAT 500 pop has a defective miles odometer that flashes. The car was purchased from Tobin Fiat of Las Vegas on 8/21/2017. I test drove this car to my home for 3 days before buying it. On day 2 it starting flashing. I returned to the dealer, reported it and was told it would be repaired. I have over 40 Videos on my cel phone that prove its defective over a 4 year period. Most resent issues on, 10/30/21, 11/1/21, 11/10/21. All 3 parties have refused to fix, repair or replace what causes the flashing miles indicator in my car. They said it doesn't exist so there is nothing to fix. The car was sent to the Fiat dealership in Henderson for a few days and they said it didn't flash while there so Fiat, Chrysler and Tobin Fiat of Las Vegas saw it as a none issue or as a customer complaint about nothing.

2017 500 · Aug 2017

El auto se detuvo sin avisar solo ya no quiso acelerar. Me marc muchas fallas en las cuales les tom foto, me tuvieron que remolcar y mi hijo se peg en la cabeza, por suerte nada grave. Pondre las fotos de los c digos que aparecen. Tuve q ser remolcado hasta ahorita la bater a sigue en un 47% pero a n as sigue sin funcionar el veh culo

2016 500 · May 2025

On multiple occasions my wife's care has refused to srmtart with now answer from the dealership why, the brakes have been replaced by Fiat under warranty and they still squeak when in reverse, and lately it says there is a tire sensor that is damaged or low along with drive mode unavailable, this keeps us from using the AWD system effectively, and Fiat said they fixed the issue once before and it came back within the week. The car has had electrical problems from the day she bought it along with multiple occasions with not starting and multiple computer problems with now help from the dealerships, this car is still covered under all warranties and still causes problems with my wife going to work. On two occasions the drive mode unavailable error came up while driving, this doesn't allow the car to operate the AWD system like it should

2016 500 · 25,000 miles · Nov 2017

The contact owns a 2015 Fiat 500. The contact stated that upon having the vehicle inspected, the mechanic noticed that the front driver's and passenger's side headlamps had failed to operate. The brake warning light and the headlamp warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the mechanic reconnected the front driver's and passenger's side headlamp connector. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that after the vehicle was started, the contact noticed that the headlamps failed to illuminate. The contact then stated that the rear driver's and passenger's side brake lights failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was taken back the independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the lighting wirings had burned out and the connectors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure. …

2015 500 · 52,000 miles · Apr 2023

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request: High voltage battery system, the vehicle is available for viewing. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk?: Long time garage storage of vehicle and limited owners manual description on procedure to maintain high voltage battery during extended non use of vehicle. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center?: The problem has been reproduced and the vehicle is currently at a Fiat/Chrysler dealership. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others?: The component is currently under inspection, the vehicle has been at the Fiat/Chrysler since 8/11/2021, it is now 9/18/2021. …

2015 500 · Sep 2021 · crash

While seated in my Car on09/03/2021 my vehicle instrument panels warning lights began to flicker and I would describe it as recycle. This occurred in another vehicle that was taken and towed , except for with that vehicle I jump started the vehicle and it restarted perfectly. I am not near the jump start cable, as I am leaving the country for school. I am currently trapped in a strange city. There are people who keep threatening to have the car towed, but I will be repairing the vehicle. the Battery is a Duracell ultra SL147H6M 12 VOLT SERIAL NUMBER 840821033760. The store was a Batteries plus in Los Angeles CA, the store owners were Hattian or East African , at the time it seems that I was the victim of a ubiquitous sexual harassment case, now being investigate. …

2014 500 · Sep 2021

the electric vehicle was previously recalled for battery malfunction but now the OBCM module malfunctioned making the vehicle unable to charge(receive power) leaving me stranded in the charging station and unable to go home. The module is the brain of the battery and should have been replaced with the battery if it's what's causing a similar issue. OBCMFAILED CAUSING BPCMAND EVCU NOT TO WAKE UP . NEED TO REPLACE OBCMAND PROGRAMTO VEHICLE

2014 500 · Apr 2023

NHTSA investigations

Pedestrian alert sounds

NHTSA investigation DP22005 · opened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023 · led to recall 22V-063

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles.

Frequently asked questions

Which Fiat 500 years have electrical problems?

By NHTSA complaints, the 2012 (63), 2015 (26), 2014 (22), 2013 (17) and 2017 (5) model years. Electrical complaints make up 16% of all complaints for the 2012.

Is there a recall for Fiat 500 electrical problems?

No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for any Fiat 500 model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.

At what mileage do Fiat 500 electrical problems start?

Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 31,000 miles; 71% happened before 50,000 miles.

What part fails most often?

Owners most often name the instrument cluster/panel (5 mentions), followed by the wiring › rear compartment/trunk (3).

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.