2013 Fiat 500 Powertrain (other) Problems

Systemic Hydraulic Defect & Safety Recall Circumvention I am reporting a critical safety defect in the clutch hydraulic system of my 2013 Fiat 500 Abarth, which directly mirrors the failures described in NHTSA Recalls 16V-302 and 20V-124. Diagnostic measurements confirm a 1.23mm hydraulic over-travel in the clutch release bearing/slave cylinder assembly. This over-travel causes the diaphragm spring to be over-extended, leading to the catastrophic failure of the pressure plate and subsequent inability to disengage the clutch. This poses an immediate safety risk of vehicle surge or inability to shift gears while in motion. Despite this objective engineering data, Stellantis (FCA US, LLC) Executive offices (specifically Mike Macdonald) have formally refused to perform the safety recall repair, citing my status as the "5th owner" as a justification for exclusion. This represents a willful circumvention of a federal safety recall, as the hydraulic over-travel is a latent design defect present since manufacture and is entirely unrelated to ownership history or vehicle maintenance. The vehicle is currently available for inspection to verify these measurements.

NHTSA ID

11734738

Incident

Aug 20, 2021

While driving 40mph, pressed clutch and the transmission would not shift into gear. Car began to slow in traffic ans I was unable to accelerate as the clutch would not engage a gear. Mamaged to sagely get iff road. No fluid leaks found. Would shift into gear with car off. Gear selection works, not a shift cable issue.

NHTSA ID

11697531

Incident

Oct 18, 2025

2013 FIAT 500 - Manual Transmission. The clutch cover diaphragm spring on the vehicle has fatigue and/or fracture. A failed clutch cover diaphragm spring has resulted in the inability to disengage the clutch, or shift gears. There is an inability to disengage the clutch, shift gears. It is potentially available for inspection if needed. This occurred while driving at low speed (thank goodness). The car became stuck in place when the failure occurred (obviously a safety concern). The issue has been confirmed by a professional. The component has been inspected by service technician. There were no warnings (lamps, messages, etc.). I believe this failure is described in Recall S34 (NHTSA), and this vehicle should be included in that recall. FIAT disagrees and has denied responsibility. Can you help?

NHTSA ID

11634558

Incident

Dec 27, 2024

The contact owns a 2013 Fiat 500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V302000 (POWER TRAIN); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the clutch pedal was depressed; however, the pedal was sticking and failed to respond as designed. The contact was almost involved in a crash due to the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle then started operating as needed after the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage 195,000. VIN tool showed no open recall.

NHTSA ID

11627352

Incident

Nov 25, 2024

Mileage

195,000 mi

The contact owns a 2013 Fiat 500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the clutch was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The contact stated that there was a jingling sound coming from the engine compartment. In addition, the contact stated that while the clutch was depressed, the vehicle jerked and then rolled forward. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the hard braking warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that parts were not available to repair the vehicle. The contact was fearful of driving the vehicle due to the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V302000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 90,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11626590

Incident

Aug 21, 2024

Mileage

90,000 mi

The contact owns a 2013 Fiat 500. The contact stated that while reversing, the vehicle failed to shift into park after stopping. While shifting into gear, the vehicle failed to move after the gear selector was placed in the desired gear. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V817000 (Power Train). The contact called a towing company. The tow truck driver was able to re-attach the gear shifter cable, but the failure recurred. While reversing slowly to parallel park, the gear shifter cable detached again. The contact reattached the shifter cable. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 128,300.

NHTSA ID

11621507

Incident

Oct 22, 2024

Mileage

128,300 mi

Manual Transaxle Clutch Pedal

NHTSA ID

11585946

Incident

Apr 29, 2024

The contact owns a 2013 Fiat 500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V302000(Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had experienced the failure causing the clutch to fail. The failure mileage was 103,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11578488

Incident

Oct 12, 2023

Mileage

103,000 mi

The contact owns a 2013 Fiat 500. The contact stated that upon shifting the vehicle into drive, the RPMs increased, but the vehicle failed to move, and had lost motive power. The contact shifted the vehicle to manual mode, and manually shifted the transmission into first gear and drove the vehicle. However, the vehicle would not shift into higher than third gear while in manual mode. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V817000 (Power Train) but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 72,000.

NHTSA ID

11568743

Incident

Feb 15, 2023

Mileage

72,000 mi

The contact owns a 2013 Fiat 500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V302000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the accelerator pedal, the RPM failed to exceed 2,500 RPM. The contact stated that upon applying added pressure to the accelerator pedal, the RPMs increased, but the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. The contact who is an independent mechanic, determined that the failure was related to the recall. The contact stated that he stopped driving the vehicle due to safety issues. The local dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the part was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact only one part per week was being shipped to dealers. The failure mileage was approximately 3,800. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11557842

Incident

Sep 1, 2023

Mileage

3,800 mi

The car is difficult to accelerate and makes a loud hum over 50. It wont shift into reverse. It is confirmed that it is a transmission issue and the whole thing has to be replaced. I found on a mechanic's site that there is an open recall S34 however my VIN is not included despite the fact that my car has the same issue as the recall. The clutch diaphragm spring fails, the driver may not be able to shift gears or the vehicle may lose motive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

NHTSA ID

11555448

Incident

Jul 18, 2023

The contact owns a 2013 Fiat 500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V302000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. The contact stated that they would like to withdraw this complaint because the part it due to arrive soon.

NHTSA ID

11502754

Incident

Aug 15, 2022

shift cables & bushings failed causing inability to shift gears.

NHTSA ID

11472675

Incident

Jun 2, 2022

The contact owns a 2013 Fiat 500. The contact stated while reversing out of a parking space, he attempted to shift into drive; however, the gear shifter failed to move. There were no warning lights illuminated. Upon researching the failure online, the contact was able to reset the gear shifter by depressing an unknown button. The contact was then able to move the gear shifter into drive position; however, the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle remained at the scene. Upon further investigation online, the contact disconnected the battery of the vehicle, purchased the shifter cable bushing adjuster from the local dealer and replaced the part himself. The contact was then able to drive the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the dealer needed to send a diagnostic report indicating that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V817000 (Power Train). The manufacturer would then determine whether they would assist as the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 133,000.

NHTSA ID

11460940

Incident

Feb 15, 2022

Mileage

133,000 mi

VEHICLE WAS ACTING A LITTLE STRANGE ON A TRIP TO THE STORE. I SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD WHEN I PULLED INTO THE PARKING SPOT. UPON THIS HAPPENING THE CAR WOULD NOT GO BACK INTO GEAR. HAD IT TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP AND WAS INFORMED OF THE S34 RECALL ON THE CLUTCH. THE SPRING HAD FAILED CAUSING THE CLUTCH TO FAIL. THE RECALL FIX WAS COMPLETED AND WHEN I PICKED MY CAR UP I NOTICED IT WAS VERY HARD TO SHIFT INTO GEARS-BUT THOUGHT IT WAS DUE TO THE NEW CLUTCH. I WENT TO THE STORE AND WHEN I WENT TO LEAVE IT GRINDED SO LOUD WHEN I PUT IT IN REVERSE. I WAITED SO I COULD PULL FORWARD INSTEAD. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT MY TRANSMISSION WAS GOING OUT BUT WAS INSTRUCTED ON HOW TO JUST PUSH IT INTO GEAR THROUGH THE GRINDING UNTIL I COULD GET A NEW TRANSMISSION. THAT THE RECALL HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE TRANSMISSION ISSUE. I FOUND THIS ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE AND OPENED A CASE WITH FIAT-WHO IS STILL TRYING TO TELL ME THAT THE TWO ISSUES HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH EACH OTHER. I AM ATTACHING DOCUMENTATION I HAVE FOUND THAT SHOWS FCA STATING THAT THE RECALL CAN CAUSE EXCESSIVE CLUTCH TRAVEL AND THAT OVER TIME CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION-LIMITING A DRIVER'S ABILITY TO CHANGE GEARS!!!!! I AM GETTING NOWHERE WITH THEM AND BASICALLY HAVE A HUNK OF METAL NOW.

NHTSA ID

11406910

Incident

Jan 13, 2021

Mileage

74,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FIAT 500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, SHE WAS UNABLE SHIFT GEARS. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A FRIEND'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO SOUTH MIAMI ALFA ROMEO FIAT (17220 S DIXIE HWY, MIAMI, FL 33157, (305) 305-3428) WHO WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED YET. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HER RESIDENCE. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V302000 (POWER TRAIN) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 45,000.

NHTSA ID

11399245

Incident

Dec 1, 2020

Mileage

45,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FIAT 500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH SEVERAL UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS FLICKERING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE WHERE AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PCM AND ECM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS LIKE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V291000 (POWERTRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 81,200.

NHTSA ID

11385761

Incident

Dec 30, 2020

Mileage

81,200 mi

HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH DIFFICULTY SHIFTING INCLUDED IN FCA RECALL 16V302000. AS WITH MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS FILED WITH THE NHTSA, FCA AND THE DEALERSHIP ARE DENYING MY VIN IS COVERED IN THE RECALL, BUT I HAVE A 2013 MANUAL TRANSMISSION FIAT 500, AND THE RECALL INCLUDES 2012-2016 MODEL YEARS. THE CABLE HAS NOT BROKEN YET, BUT I AM HAVING GREAT DIFFICULTY GETTING THE CAR TO SHIFT INTO 1ST AND REVERSE. THE RECALL SPECIFICALLY SAYS THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE INCREASING THE RISK OF CRASH IF THE CABLE BREAKS WHILE OPERATING THE CAR, BUT FCA IS CLEARLY NO COVERING UNDER RECALL ALL OF THE VEHICLES EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. SO, AN OTHERWISE PERFECTLY MAINTAINED CAR IS NOW LEAVING ME QUESTIONING IT'S SAFETY. THANKS FIAT FOR NOT ACCEPTING RESPONSIBILITY FOR ALL THE VEHICLES WITH THIS PROBLEM!

NHTSA ID

11365968

Incident

Oct 1, 2020

Mileage

82,000 mi

CEL ALERT: P0071 OBD II ERROR AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE. THE FORUMS ARE FULL OF PEOPLE TRYING TO FIND OUT HOW TO FIX THIS. THERE IS A FAULTY THERMOSTAT IN THE PASSENGER SIDE MIRROR THAT REQUIRES THE ENTIRE MIRROR TO BE ( $117 FROM AUTO ZONE ) A 25 THERMOSTAT IS THE ONLY THING THAT SHOULD ACTUALLY NEED REPLACEMENT

NHTSA ID

11362899

Incident

Oct 5, 2020

Mileage

106,600 mi

THE CAR HAS HAD THE RECALL SAFETY RECALL S34 / NHTSA 16V-302 <BR/>MANUAL TRANSAXLE CLUTCH PEDAL PERFORMED BACK AT 30,000 MI. CLEARLY DOSENT FIX THE PRESSURE PLATE ISSUE, AS I'M AN SURE THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED WHEN I WAS GETTING TIRES INSTALLED AND THE STATE INSPECTION AT A NTB SHOP. WHEN YOU HIT THE PEDAL THE CLITCH DOES NOT DISENGAGE, MEANING THE CLUTCH IS ALWAYS ENGAGED AND YOU CANNOT SHIFT GEARS. I PERSONALLY INSPECTED THE CLUTCH SYSTEM FROM THE PEDAL TO THE CLUTCH ARM AND CAN SEE THE CLUTCH DISENGAGEMENT ARM MOVING WHICH LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT THE PRESSURE PLATE SPRING IS BROKEN. I HAVE TRIED TO CONTACT THE LOCAL DEALER HERE IN ROANOME, VA TO NO AVAIL. SOUNDS LIKE I WILL BE DOING THE CLUTCH AND RELATED PARTS MYSELF, SO I FIGURED I WOULD GET MY COMPLAINT IN INCASE SOMEONE WANTS TO INSPECT PARTS AS THEY GET REMOVED. THE VEHICLE HAD THIS FAILURE WHILE MOVING SLOWLY IN A SHOP TO BE PUT ON A LIFT TO HAVE TIRES INSTALLED. NO PHOTOS YET, BUT WILL BE GETTING THEM SOON.

NHTSA ID

11353357

Incident

Aug 30, 2020

Mileage

72,000 mi

SO - I'VE GOT A 2013 500E AND IT STARTED DOING THIS LAST WEEK OR SO. THE RBC, THE ESC, THE ABS, AND EVEN THE HILL ASSIST TRANSIENTLY, AND ONCE OR TWICE EVEN WENT INTO 'PROPULSION SYSTEM SERVICE' ERROR MODE AND WOULDN'T RUN. AFTER A RE-START IT WOULD THEN RUN. EVEN DID THE BATTERY TRICK. NOT SURE IF IT HELPED OR NOT. SO, I DECIDED TO DO THE OBD2 - WITH THE KONNWEI AND THE ALFOBD - FULL PROGRAM - AND IT WAS ABLE TO CLEAR THE CODES AND PULL UP THE ERRORS : U0001, U1201, U1487 - AND EVEN THOUGH IT RECURS AND I FEEL A CLICK AND CHANGE IN BRAKING WHEN THE RBC LIGHT GOES OFF, AND THE ESC LIGHT, AND EVENTUALLY THE ABS LIGHT TOO, AND IT STARTS MAKING FUNNY NOISES FROM THE BRAKES WHEN STOPPED AND PRESSED DEEPLY, BUT I'M ABLE TO CLEAR IT AND GOES BACK TO NORMAL. BUT IT ALWAYS RECURS. ONCE IT WENT AWAY FOR 2 DAYS. ANYWAY - FOUND A TSB ON THIS : NUMBER 08-045-16 - FROM APRIL 22, 2016. AND DESCRIBES PRETTY MUCH ALL THIS AND THE CODES. APPARENTLY THE RBC, AND ABS MODULES NEED REFLASH BY THE DEALER - OR SOMEONE WITH THE WITECH SOFTWARE AND INTERFACE. HERE'S A LINK TO THE PDF ITSELF: HTTPS://STATIC.NHTSA.GOV/ODI/TSBS/2016/SB-10076281-3639.PDF - MY MAIN PROBLEM IS MY LOCAL DEALER IN TUCSON DOES NOT HAVE 500E CERTIFICATION NOR A TECH TO SERVICE THE 500E. I'D HAVE TO DRIVE 100 MILES OR SO UP TO PHOENIX TO GET IT DONE. SO I WOULD NEED TO HAUL IT UP THERE. THIS SUCKS. CALLED THE FCA SUPPORT LINE, THEY SAY THERE'S NOTHING THEY CAN DO, I HAVE TO GET IT THERE.

NHTSA ID

11340069

Incident

Jul 7, 2020

Mileage

66,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING TO MY HOUSE, I PUT MY VEHICLE IN REVERS (A 5-SPEED STICK SHIFT), AND MY STICK SHIFT CABLE BROKE. MY VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF REVERSE. LUCKILY, THIS OCCURRED RIGHT OUTSIDE OF MY HOUSE, BUT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN SERIOUS INJURY IF I WAS ON THE ROAD. THE CAR NOW IS STUCK IN REVERSE AND CANNOT BE USED.

NHTSA ID

11337879

Incident

Jul 4, 2020

Mileage

7 mi

MY FIAT 500 HAS 67,000 MILES ON IT AND THE TRANSMISSION DIED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 60MPH. THERE WERE NO INDICATIONS PRIOR TO THIS EVENT THAT ANYTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

11329029

Incident

Jun 15, 2020

Mileage

67,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FIAT 500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH. HE ALSO STATED THAT WHITE SMOKE HAD BEGAN EMITTING FROM THE ENGINE. DESPITE THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO HIS RESIDENCE. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE VEHICLE DESPITE A RECENT OIL CHANGE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE TRANSFER PLATE CLUTCH PEDAL HAD FAILED MULTIPLE TIMES DESPITE THE VEHICLE BEING PLACED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V302000 (POWER TRAIN). THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD YET TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,263.

NHTSA ID

11327477

Incident

Oct 16, 2019

Mileage

47,263 mi

HELLO, I BELIEVE I NEED AN ATTORNEY AND LEGAL ADVICE. I HAVE A DEFECTIVE CAR THAT SHOWS ON THE FIAT DEALERSHIP WEBSITE AS A RECALL. THE YEAR MAKE AND MODEL OF MY CAR HAS A RECALL (2/2013 RECALL N09 REPROGRAM POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE) I HAVE HAVE BEEN REPORTED MY ISSUE TO FIAT DEALERSHIP FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS AND WAS TOLD THAT BASED ON MY VIN NUMBER I DO NOT HAVE A RECALL. WHEN I SERVICE MY CAR AT DEALERSHIP THEY JUST TURN OFF MY ENGINE LIGHT. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO PASS INSPECTION OF MY VEHICLE IN OVER TWO YEARS. MY MECHANIC EXPLAINED TO ME THAT I HAVE A RECALL AND HE CANNOT PASS INSPECTION. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR, BUT CANNOT SELL IT OR TRADE IT IN DIE TO THE ENGINE LIGHT ERROR. I HAVE A RECORD OF ALL OF MY RECEIPTS. THIS STARTED IN JANUARY 2018. I BELIEVE THAT I SHOULD FILE CHARGES AGAINST FIAT AND WOULD NEED LEGAL ADVISE. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ID

11323015

Incident

May 1, 2020