Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2014 Fiat 500L owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
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. …
For the past several months my car will simply stop accelerating while I am driving down the road. I can put my foot on the gas, and it will not accelerate. The RPM's and speed go down and I must pull over to the side of the road quickly and turn the engine off, wait 5 minutes or so and try again. Sometimes I must wait longer before it will go back in gear and accelerate. It has been very unsafe when this happens on the interstate putting me, my passengers, and other cars/drivers at risk because it happens with no warning lights and not enough time to get over. This same problem happened before in 2017, and FIAT issued a recall. The dealership stated that recall was fixed and cannot use it for this problem even though it is the EXACT same issue. They state I need a new transmission now costing $9,876.00 repairs/labor for a 2014 FIAT 500L I bought for $13,000..... …
I took my car in to have a regular oil change. Got a call from the mechanic telling me that all of a sudden, the car will not get out of park and says there is a transmission error now on the display screen. During the 2 days that it took for them to get the car out of park the mechanic informed me that there is a known issue for 2014 Fiat 500L vehicles "all of a sudden" not getting out of park and that it is a recall. I called Chrysler and told them the issue, but they informed me that my VIN number is not showing as a recall. I would like for some help in looking into this issue because my car was working just fine before the oil change and now it is having the exact issues others have faced having the same year, same model and same make of vehicle.
It only has 42,000 miles and the transmission light came on and it didn't want to go into park. The dealership won't tow it and keeps trying to day the are going to charge me for it when it still has both recalls on it. I had to play with the shifter to get it out of reverse it wanted to stay in reverse. And I was afraid it was going to run someone over because I. Couldn't park it
Car will not shift into gear automatic transmissions will not shift readily out of park and won't go into park sometimes. The transmissions does not receive, or is slow to receive, an intended gear selection. Vehicle came to a complete stop while driving. Get message there is no manual mode available.
The transmission went out and radiator fluid temp high light came on. Fiat started to not be able to shift or too easily shifted by itself. The safety of others and myself were at risk because the car could have stopped or switched into other gears on the road and caused an accident.
On aug 19th my car went in for service due to the unsafe failures of items replaced during the 2 recalls. The automatic transaxle gear shift module and powertrain control module were both recalled and "fixed". Yet on ocotober 7th 2020, I experienced the inability to shift and control the transmission gear selection. I had unintended directional movement. I experienced a diminished ability to accelerate and to maintain vehicle speed as expected. I was only going 20mph-40mph on streets. The car was switching gears on its on and stalling in traffic. When I would push on gas peddle it was rolling back while on an incline. What was most alarming was that as I tried to get the car home it would not accelerate as I pulled out into traffic. I attempted to put the car into reverse to get it into my driveway and it would not go into reverse. …
I brought my 2014 500l to Fiat dealer to take care of the recalls regarding the shifting and engine idle speed. Before I brought their it was running fine. I got it back the same day and when I received it got a report that all was good. Now my car is acting up. Sometimes I step on accelerator and nothing happens that was at my home. Also when put into drive it doesn't engage and on the screen it tells me to put in park then neutral and then drive that was at my sons school. Some times it still doesn't work and have to do it multiple times. I brought it back and told them their software upgrade has made my car worse than it was. They evaluated it and the service writer said he would need to charge me 8hrs of labor @ $185 an hr. Just to evaluate the problem. It still their and will call Fiat directly to try to resolve this problem that was supposed to be the recall.
Frustration is the only word can describe this horrible car Fiat 500l since I bought that car is been toll so many times to Fiat dealer service. When was under guarantee, Fiat service always said "it is nothing", "not problem", "now is working fine". Even when the car stopped on the street with smoke from the engine. Now when the guarantee expired 4 months ago: the car needs "new motor starter", they changed ($1600 plus $300 rental car for 21 days). But once the car has the new motor starter. Surprise!!! The problem is also the engine!!! Not power at all. Nothing!!!! Needs a new motor for car that now his price is only $6,000!!! So basically Fiat just ripped me selling a defective car!!!! The engine is defective!!! Now I'm going to move the car to my house and try to sell it as junk!
Engine complaints in other 500L years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2014 Fiat 500L?
NHTSA has 31 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2014 Fiat 500L, 17% of the model year's 183 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2014 Fiat 500L engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2014 Fiat 500L, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2014 Fiat 500L engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 52,000 miles, and 23% before 25,000 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.