2016 Fiat 500X Engine Problems

52 owners have reported engine & cooling problems with the 2016 Fiat 500X to NHTSA — 34% of all 154 complaints for this model year. The typical failure happened around 33,000 miles. That ranks #1 of 3 500X model years for engine complaints (a typical year has 7). No engine recall has been issued for this model year.

52complaints
33ktypical miles
0related recalls
0crashes
1fires
0injuries

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    925%
  • 25k–50k
    1953%
  • 50k–75k
    38%
  • 75k–100k
    38%
  • 100k–150k
    13%
  • 150k+
    13%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2016 Fiat 500X owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2016 Fiat 500X. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission unintendedly shifted from drive(D) to neutral(N). The RPM became elevated; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. While driving approximately 15 - 20 MPH, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. While in LIMP Mode, the contact coasted to the side of the road and waited for several minutes before continuing to drive. The failure had occurred twice. Additionally, the check engine warning light illuminated intermittently. The vehicle had been taken to a certified mechanic, who determined that the transmission had failed and needed to be rebuilt. The dealer also diagnosed that there was a failure with the instrument cluster. The instrument cluster lights were cleared; however, the transmission was not repaired. The check engine warning light remained illuminated. …

144,000 miles · Dec 2025

The contact owns a 2016 Fiat 500X. The contact stated upon making a complete stop at a traffic light, the vehicle vibrated. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 40-45 MPH, the vehicle experienced hard shifting from second to third gear. The contact was able to continue driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that three motor mounts were fractured and needed to be replaced. Additionally, the dealer diagnosed that the spark plugs, and an unknown seal needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist as the VIN was not under recall, and the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 79,300.

79,000 miles · Oct 2022

The car had a NTSB recall on the engine. The engine needed to be replaced. After having the engine replaced I was told to pick up the vehicle which shook profusely and then had a check engine light come on only minutes from driving away from the dealership. I turn around and returned the vehicle immediately to have it remedy the situation. It took over a month and the second time I was told to pick up the car, the same thing happened again only minutes from leaving the dealership, except this time the engine started to stutter like it was going to stall. After another month of them attempting to remedy, which is now the 3rd time they told me to pick up the vehicle which was in 22nd December 2023, the engine stalled only 100 yards of driving away from the dealership in fast 2-lane traffic. …

Dec 2023

While driving, the vehicle suddenly shut off completely in the middle of the road, forcing me to come to a full stop and make several attempts before it restarted. During the incident, all electrical power was lost-I was unable to use hazard lights or blinkers, and I'm unsure if the brake lights worked when pressing the pedal. This created an extreme safety risk to both myself and other drivers. About a month earlier, the same issue occurred and the dealership diagnosed it as a "battery, fuse, array" problem, replacing the battery. The same issue has now returned, and the dealership has identified it as a MultiAir actuator failure. The vehicle is a Fiat 500X equipped with the 2.4L Tigershark engine, which has known problems with the MultiAir system. The car has only around 60,000 miles and is currently at an authorized Chrysler/Fiat dealership, available for inspection upon request. …

Nov 2025

I am being notified by Chrysler Fiat of a problem with oil consumption on my FIAT 500X. Since all the FIAT dealerships near me have closed, Chrysler is requiring me to: 1. Travel 1.5 hours to dealership. 2. Have an oil change performed at my expense. 3. Travel 1.5 hours home from dealership 4. Drive 1500 miles. 4. Travel 1.5 hours return to the dealership to verify oil consumption. If excessive consumption, engine will be replaced. (?) As stated by Customer Service. 5. Travel 1.5 hours home from dealership. They will not: A. Reimburse my time (8 hours total) approximately 6 hours drive time and 2 hours wait time. B. Pay for the oil change. Within the last month I have had an oil change. C. Pay for fuel for these trips, approximately 51 miles each way. Total of 200 miles. This is a manufacturing issue. All incurred expenses should be paid by Chrysler.

Jul 2021

Hi, I received a recall notice from FCA regarding oil consumption - I threw the letter out, but took the car to dealer. They found the active recall W-80, , had me do the 1500 mile test, came back but for some reason, now it is not even visible anymore. Now my check engine light is on and the oil light is on. My engine is over consuming oil and now I won't be able to repair it. I escalated it to FCA, but they can't see it either and are unable to help me. Need this to be resolved, but don't know how to.

Jan 2024

3 times my car had died going under 30 mph, it must turns off or goes into this neutral position and won't let me change gears, when i restart it, the engine makes an awful squealing sound. all these "drive mode unavailable " "check esc system" "service electronic brake" it seems it is related to the S55 / 16V529000 safety defect .... "intermittent switch to neutral while driving"

Jun 2026

The day after we had a bad storm, my car's electrical system went haywire. I was driving to work and all kinds of warning lights started flashing. Then when I came to a stop sign, stopped, then proceed to go again the car car would not go. I was still in drive but the car would not go when I pressed the pedal. So I put the car in park then back in drive and it started driving again. Then a warning came on about my power steering. I get further down the road to a stop light. I stopped and when the light turned green it would not go again while it drive. So I put it in park and back in drive and it went.i get to a stop sign about 1 mile down the road and my steering wheel locked up. So I put the car in park and back in drive and it started turning a little bit so I was able to pull off the road into an abandoned parking lot. I tried to turn the car off and it would not turn off. …

May 2024

I am writing to you in regard to my 2016 FIAT 500X about multiple concerns. 1. There has been an open recall on the Emissions system since 2022. I immediately followed up and was put on a waitlist as I was told that the parts were on back order. I was told I was 27 on the waitlist. I followed up every 3-6 months for an update on getting the recall repaired but was told they have no update on the parts. It is now 2025 and my registration and inspection are expired. I was informed by FIAT service mechanic that the open recall should not impact my inspection. Upon bringing it in for inspection, I needed to get the thermostat replaced, which was one of the first recalls that was rectified upon purchasing the car in 2017. My car failed inspection. I followed up with FIAT corporate and was assigned a case manager who followed up as well unable to rectify the situation. …

Jul 2025

My car has gone to the dealer repeatedly for the following issues: bad struts, loose engine mounts, overheating (broken fan), "drive mode not available", radio not working, and now messages saying lights are out when they are not (code says "pending code") this car drives terrible and is unsafe and unreliable- it spends more time at the dealer than in my driveway - it has 40K miles and is still under warranty

40,000 miles · Jun 2019 · fire

Engine complaints in other 500X years

201620172018201920205267
Engine complaints per model year, Fiat 500X.

Frequently asked questions

How common are engine problems on the 2016 Fiat 500X?

NHTSA has 52 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2016 Fiat 500X, 34% of the model year's 154 complaints.

Is there a recall for 2016 Fiat 500X engine problems?

No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2016 Fiat 500X, though it has 1 recall 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 2016 Fiat 500X engine problems start?

Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 33,000 miles, and 25% before 25,000 miles.

Is it dangerous?

Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.