2014 Fiat 500L Transmission Problems

123 owners have reported transmission & drivetrain problems with the 2014 Fiat 500L to NHTSA — 67% of all 183 complaints for this model year. The typical failure happened around 60,000 miles. 2 related recalls have been issued.

123complaints
60ktypical miles
2related recalls
3crashes
5fires
1injuries

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    1416%
  • 25k–50k
    1820%
  • 50k–75k
    2124%
  • 75k–100k
    1517%
  • 100k–150k
    2023%
  • 150k+
    00%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2014 Fiat 500L owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

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

The contact owns a 2014 Fiat 500L. The contact stated that on several occasions while the vehicle was running, the transmission warning light illuminated, and a "Possible Ice" message was displayed even though there was no inclement weather. The vehicle was taken to a dealer; however, the failure was not replicated. On another occasion while stopped, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle failed to accelerate. The message "Shift into Neutral and Then Select Gear" was displayed. The contact shifted from Neutral to Drive. The vehicle was turned off and restarted. The vehicle was then towed to the same dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the lifters needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred within a month. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where the dealer stated that the vehicle was already repaired. …

65,000 miles · Apr 2022

The contact owns a 2014 Fiat 500L. The contact stated that while the vehicle was coming to a stop at an intersection, the vehicle became inoperable while attempting to shift gears, with the message "Gears Unavailable" displayed. The contact attempted to shift gear several times; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed to the residence. A mobile mechanic arrived at the residence and retrieved DTC: B1011, B1181, and U1736. The contact stated that the failure was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V103000 (Power Train), and that the shifter module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. …

75,000 miles · Feb 2026

The contact owns a 2014 Fiat 500L. The contact stated upon shifting into drive(D) or reverse(R), the gear shifter would move to the intended gear; however, the instrument panel would indicate that the vehicle was in neutral(N). There was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle would jerk and would hesitate to respond while driving from a complete stop. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local Pep Boys where it was diagnosed that the power train had failed. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V103000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. Additionally, the contact became aware that the vehicle had a salvaged title. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. …

85,000 miles · Jan 2023

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 that while her daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle suddenly stalled. After restarting the vehicle, the transmission message was displayed, and the vehicle would not properly shift into gear. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission dual clutch was faulty and needed to be replaced. The dual clutch kit was installed but after retrieving the vehicle the failure later reoccurred. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V192000 (Power Train). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 43,958.

44,000 miles · May 2024

The contact owns a 2014 Fiat 500L. The contact stated that upon depression of the accelerator pedal while at a red light, the vehicle stalled with the check engine and transmission warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that after multiple attempts to restart the vehicle, she was finally able to move the vehicle to the shoulder of the road. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer and the vehicle was diagnosed with transmission failure. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that prior to owning the vehicle, the vehicle was serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V192000 (Power Train) and 14V103000 (Power Train). The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 17,000.

17,000 miles · Sep 2021

The contact owns a 2014 Fiat 500L. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the transmission warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle also instructed the driver to put the vehicle in neutral. The contact safely drove the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed a friend's house, then to AAMCO Transmissions & Total Car Care. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle with transmission failure. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle with transmission failure and notified the contact of recalls for similar failures. The manufacturer was notified. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V103000 (Power Train) and 17V192000 (Power Train). The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

120,000 miles · Feb 2022

The contact owns a 2014 Fiat 500L. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle in extremely hot weather, the transmission malfunctioned and would not properly shift while attempting to accelerate from a stop. During the failure, the check engine warning light illuminated and the message "Manual Drive Not Available" was displayed. After the vehicle was shut off and allowed to cool down, the vehicle operated normally after being restarted. The vehicle was recently repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V192000 (Power Train) however, after retrieving the vehicle, the failure persisted. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 105,249.

105,000 miles · Jul 2023

Related recalls

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.

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.

Transmission complaints in other 500L years

201420151235
Transmission complaints per model year, Fiat 500L.

Frequently asked questions

How common are transmission problems on the 2014 Fiat 500L?

NHTSA has 123 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2014 Fiat 500L, 67% of the model year's 183 complaints.

Is there a recall for 2014 Fiat 500L transmission problems?

Yes — NHTSA recall 17V-192 (control module (tcm/pcm/tecm), Mar 21, 2017); NHTSA recall 14V-103 (automatic transmission, Mar 4, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

At what mileage do 2014 Fiat 500L transmission problems start?

Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 16% before 25,000 miles.

Is it dangerous?

Owners linked 3 crashes, 5 fires and 1 injury 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.