2014 Fiat 500L Problems & Complaints

Not enough data

Owners have filed 183 complaints about the 2014 Fiat 500L with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. There isn't enough complaint history for the 500L to compare model years reliably. The most reported problem area is the transmission & drivetrain (123 complaints, typically around 60,000 miles). 3 recalls cover this model year.

183complaints
3recalls
5crashes
5fires
3injuries
0deaths

Most common 2014 Fiat 500L problems

  • 12367%
  • Engine & cooling~52,000 miles
    3117%
  • Electrical system~26,000 miles
    2514%
  • 2011%
  • Other / not specified~51,000 miles
    1810%
  • Brakes~15,000 miles
    95%
  • Steering~35,000 miles
    95%
  • Stability & traction control~26,000 miles
    84%
  • Fuel & propulsion system~103,000 miles
    63%
  • Air bags~87,000 miles
    63%
  • Body & structure~33,000 miles
    42%
  • Suspension~74,000 miles
    32%
  • Lights
    21%
  • Driver assistance
    21%
  • Seat belts~14,000 miles
    11%
  • Windows, wipers & sunroof~14,000 miles
    11%
  • Wheels & tires
    11%

Share of the 183 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Fiat 500L complaints by model year

2014201518323
Owner complaints per model year, Fiat 500L. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Compare all Fiat 500L years →

2014 Fiat 500L recalls (3)

Power train › Automatic transmission › Control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)

NHTSA recall 17V-192 · Mar 21, 2017 · 25,583 vehicles

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014 Fiat 500L vehicles. The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software calibration maybe incorrect, limiting the engine to idle speed and torque even when accelerator pedal is fully pressed.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the PCM software, free of charge. The recall began April 13, 2017. Owners may the Fiat Information Center at 1-888-242-6342. Chrysler's number for this recall is T19.

Air bags › Knee bolster

NHTSA recall 14V-481 · Aug 6, 2014 · 25,479 vehicles

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Fiat 500L vehicles manufactured March 3, 2012, to July 25, 2014. Irregularities in the folding process during assembly of the driver's knee airbag may result in its improper deployment.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's knee air bag, free of charge. The recall began on September 26, 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.

Power train › Automatic transmission

NHTSA recall 14V-103 · Mar 4, 2014 · 18,100 vehicles

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2014 Fiat 500L vehicles manufactured April 5, 2013, through January 22, 2014. In certain temperatures, moving the transmission shift lever may have a delayed effect or no effect on selecting a transmission gear.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter module or update the shifter software, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 31, 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

What 2014 Fiat 500L owners say

Transmission & drivetrain all 123 →

So the dealer fixed the transmission / power train recall in 2020, my car is now doing exactly what the recall states, getting stuck in park, asking me to put engine in neutral and then drive without the car moving, so on and so forth. Fiat, as well as the repair dealer northside imports, is refusing to fix this issue as they state the car is out of warranty, and they feel they fixed the recall. This car only has 73k miles on it. The other issue of complaint is that the wire melted on the blower fan for the ac unit. Smelled burning wires in the car, and both fiat and dealer state that is normal wear and tear. That is not, as it could have caused a fire inside the car, luckily i was able to pull over and put out the smoldering wire. I need this fixed, and fiat is refusing to cover. …

Apr 2022 · fire

The contact owns a 2014 Fiat 500L. The contact stated while his wife was accelerating from a standing stop at a traffic signal, the vehicle hesitated and then jerk and lunged forward once the transmission was shifted into drive(D). The contact stated that the check engine warning light and a message "Transmission Fault" warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that his wife stopped the vehicle and had difficulty shifting into park(P). The contact had to turn the vehicle off and on several times for the transmission to function normally. The contact stated that the hesitation and lunging forward nearly caused several crashes. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer where the contact was advised that the check engine warning light was no longer illuminated, and that the vehicle could not be diagnosed if the warning light was not illuminated. …

109,000 miles · Apr 2023

Engine & cooling all 31 →

The contact owns a 2014 FIAT 500L. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power but did not stall. The contact stated that after depressing the accelerator pedal the regained motive power. The contact stated that after the vehicle accelerated to 60 MPH the vehicle started to decelerate independently. The contact stated that the service transmission and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the failure was due to a software update that needed to be performed by the dealer. The dealer was contacted and notified of the failure. The contact was informed that there was a software update previously available which had since been closed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA for assistance. The failure mileage was 75,000.

75,000 miles · Mar 2022

The contact owns a 2014 Fiat 500L. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was making an abnormal clunking sound. The contact smelled a burning odor and saw black smoke inside the vehicle. The contact veered to the side of the road. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that a gear was damaged. The part was replaced; however, while driving at 70 MPH, the transmission warning light illuminated and a message indicating to shift into neutral(N), then drive(D) was displayed. The vehicle started decelerating independently. The contact stated that as she shifted into neutral(N) and then into drive(D), the vehicle responded as needed. However, the failure had been reoccurring while driving and coming to a stop. …

Oct 2018

Electrical system all 25 →

So the dealer fixed the transmission / power train recall in 2020, my car is now doing exactly what the recall states, getting stuck in park, asking me to put engine in neutral and then drive without the car moving, so on and so forth. Fiat, as well as the repair dealer northside imports, is refusing to fix this issue as they state the car is out of warranty, and they feel they fixed the recall. This car only has 73k miles on it. The other issue of complaint is that the wire melted on the blower fan for the ac unit. Smelled burning wires in the car, and both fiat and dealer state that is normal wear and tear. That is not, as it could have caused a fire inside the car, luckily i was able to pull over and put out the smoldering wire. I need this fixed, and fiat is refusing to cover. …

Apr 2022 · fire

The contact owns a 2014 Fiat 500L. The contact stated while her daughter was driving 50 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The driver was able to coast to the shoulder of the roadway, and the contact became aware that the vehicle had shifted into neutral independently and was unable to shift back into gear. The transmission warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the body control module. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 69,000.

Body control module/BCM · 69,000 miles · Mar 2024

2014 Fiat 500L engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
1.4L 4-cyl turbo6-speed manualFWD25 / 32 / 28
1.4L 4-cyl turbo6-speed automaticFWD24 / 32 / 27

EPA ratings. Class: Wagon.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2014 Fiat 500L a good car?

There isn't enough complaint history for the 500L to compare model years reliably. So far owners have filed 183 complaints with NHTSA.

What is the most common problem with the 2014 Fiat 500L?

The transmission & drivetrain — 123 complaints, 67% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the engine & cooling (31) and electrical system (25).

How many recalls does the 2014 Fiat 500L have?

There are 3 recalls for the 2014 Fiat 500L, the most recent from March 21, 2017 (control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.

At what mileage do 2014 Fiat 500L problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 52,000 miles; 46% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.

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.