RoadVitals

2013 Fiat 500E

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
16
Latest Jun 25, 2019
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
4
Latest May 16, 2016
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 16 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2013 Fiat 500E, most frequently naming the electrical, fuel system and engine categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 81 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Fuel system419.0%
  • Engine314.3%
  • Driver assistance29.5%
  • Powertrain (other)14.8%
  • Body & structure14.8%
  • Brakes14.8%
  • Airbags14.8%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

4 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY

May 16, 2016
16,584 units potentially affected
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Fiat 500e vehicles manufactured March 22, 2012, to January 29, 2016. The power inverter module (PIM) may experience voltage spikes which can cause the propulsion system to shut down and loss of motive power.
The risk: Loss of motive power can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the PIM software, free of charge. The recall began on July 5, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S26.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC)Manufacturer number S26View on NHTSA.gov

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

Mar 27, 2015
5,660 units potentially affected
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Fiat 500 EV vehicles manufactured March 27, 2012, to November 1, 2014. If the vehicle goes in to limp home mode, incompatible software between Electric Vehicle Control Unit (EVCU) and Battery Pack Control Module (BPCM) may cause the electric propulsion system to fully shut down.
The risk: An electric propulsion system shut down will cause a stall-like condition, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle software to ensure compatability between components, free of charge. The recall began on May 21, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R15.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC)Manufacturer number R15View on NHTSA.gov

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY

May 7, 2014
4,141 units potentially affected
The defect: Chrysler Group, LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Fiat 500e Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV) vehicles manufactured September 24, 2012, through April 4, 2014. The affected vehicles have cooling plates for the Power Inverter Module (PIM) that may leak coolant into areas of the high voltage circuitry, resulting a short circuit that could cause the related service fuse to blow.
The risk: If the service fuse blows, the vehicle would have a loss of propulsion while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PIM, free of charge. The recall began in July 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P23.
Chrysler Group LLCManufacturer number P23View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

DP22005ClosedDefect Petition

Pedestrian alert sounds

Opened Jan 27, 2023
Closed Aug 7, 2023

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEMLed to recall 22V063000

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Fuel system
Filed Jun 25, 2019

AS WE PULLED AWAY FROM A STOP SIGN IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD, THE CAR MADE A LOUD POPPING SOUND AND LOST POWER TO THE DRIVE SYSTEM. THE DASHBOARD IMMEDIATELY DISPLAYED A "PROPULSION SYSTEM WARNING" MESSAGE AND COULD NO LONGER BE DRIVEN. THE CAR WAS TOWED (FLAT BED) TO A DEALER FOR REPAIR. AFTER A WEEK, AND THE DEALER'S TECHS TALKING WITH TECHNICIANS IN DETROIT, DETROIT SUGGESTED REPLACING THE CAR'S POWER INVERTER. THIS REPAIR WILL COST MORE THAN THE CAR IS WORTH. THIS CAR HAD THE POWER INVERTER REPLACED BY THE SAME SHOP IN RESPONSE TO THE RECALL TO PREVENT SUDDEN POWER FAILURE. OUR EXPERIENCE WITH THE POPPING SOUND AND SUDDEN POWER LOSS IS IDENTICAL TO DESCRIPTIONS FROM OTHER OWNERS WHO HAD THE RECALL FOR THE POWER INVERTER REPLACEMENT. GLAD NO ONE WAS HURT AND THAT WE WERE NOT ON A HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ID
11222461
Incident
Jun 16, 2019
Mileage
42,000 mi
Filed Jul 6, 2017

THERE IS AN EXISTING RECALL ON MY VEHICLE. I HAVE TRIED TWICE TO GET IT REPAIRED AT THE NYLE MAXWELL FIAT DEALERSHIP IN AUSTIN TEXAS. THE DEALERSHIP IS REFUSING TO MAKE THE REPAIR. THIS IS COMING FROM THE REPAIR MANAGER MR. AUSTIN MORIN.

NHTSA ID
11003438
Incident
Jul 6, 2017
Filed Jul 25, 2016

WE RECEIVED RECALL S26/NHTSA 16V-303 FOR OUR 2013 FIAT 500E. WHEN I CALLED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE CLOSEST FIAT DEALER, THE EARLIEST APPOINTMENT WAS MORE THAN FOUR WEEKS OUT. BECAUSE THERE ARE NO FIAT DEALERS NEAR WHERE I LIVE, I NEED A LOANER VEHICLE FROM THE DEALERSHIP. I'VE BROUGHT THIS CAR FOR PREVIOUS RECALLS TO THIS SPECIFIC DEALER AND HAVE ALWAYS RECEIVED EITHER A LOANER OR A RENTAL, FREE OF CHARGE. TODAY, THE SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD ME SHE CANNOT PROMISE ME A LOANER AND THAT THEY WOULD CHARGE FOR A RENTAL. THE DEALERSHIP IS FIAT OF THOUSAND OAKS AND I LIVE IN SANTA BARBARA, CA. THIS IS A HUGE WASTE OF MY TIME, BEING THAT I HAVE TO DRIVE FOR AN HOUR, USING ALL THE VEHICLE'S CHARGE, THEN HAVING TO WAIT FOR NOT ONLY THE RECALL FIX BUT FOR THE VEHICLE TO CHARGE FOR 4 HOURS IF THEY CANNOT PROVIDE ME WITH A LOANER OR A RENTAL. I BELIEVE CAR COMPANIES SHOULD BE LIABLE FOR ALL EXPENSES WHEN IT DEALS WITH RECALLS AND THAT LOANERS AND/OR RENTALS SHOULD BE AUTOMATIC. I ALSO FEEL OTHER DEALERSHIPS THAT ARE PART OF THE SAME GROUP SHOULD ALSO BE ABLE TO SERVICE CERTAIN RECALLS IF THE RECALL IS SIMPLY TO REPROGRAM OR UPDATE THE VEHICLE'S COMPUTER.

NHTSA ID
10888467
Incident
Jul 25, 2016
Mileage
24,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalFuel system
Filed Jun 1, 2015

OUR FIAT DIED THREE TIMES WITHIN A FOUR MONTH PERIOD, SPECIFICALLY ON 6/20/2014 (2,609 MILES), 8/11/2014 (3,101 MILES), AND 10/20/2014 (4,050 MILES). A "SERVICE ELECTRIC VEHICLE SYSTEM" WARNING LIGHT APPEARED EACH TIME IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CAR WOULD NOT DRIVE, STOP, OR STEER. OF THE THREE INCIDENTS, THE FINAL INCIDENT ON 10/20/2014 WAS THE MOST DANGEROUS: THE CAR DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION WHILE CROSSING TRAIN TRACKS (LIGHT-RAIL) WHILE A TRAIN WAS APPROACHING. CHRYSLER-FIAT HAS SINCE REPURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON 5/2015 PER CALIFORNIA LAW.

NHTSA ID
10722598
Incident
Jun 20, 2014
Mileage
2,609 mi
Electrical
Filed May 18, 2015

ON 1/18/2014 WE LEASED A 2013 FIAT 500E ("THE CAR")FROM KEARNY MESA FIAT. VIN [XXX]. IT HAD LESS THAN 20 MILES ON IT WHEN WE TOOK POSSESSION OF IT. ON 3/3/2014 IT WOULD NOT CHARGE GIVING ME A LARGE YELLOW INDICATOR SAYING THE ELECTRIC VEHICLE SYSTEMS WERE NOT WORKING. THIS FLASHED AND THEN DROPPED OFF THE SCREEN. ON 3/17/2014 THE SAME LIGHT ON CONSTANTLY. THE CAR WAS WITH THE DEALER FOR REPAIR UNTIL APRIL 8, 2014, FOR A TOTAL OF 22 DAYS. FIAT OFFERED, AND I ACCEPTED A CASH SETTLEMENT FOR THIS REPAIR. ON 10/3/2014 THE LIGHT RETURNED. THERE WERE 11747.4 MILES ON THE CAR. KEARNY MESA FIAT PERFORMED RECALL WORK. ON 10/11/2014 THE LIGHT ALTERNATED WITH THE TURTLE LIGHT. THEN THE CAR STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION. IT HAD 12302 MILES. ON 10/13/2014 THE DEALER IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM AS A FAILED PIM. I GAVE NOTICE I WANTED TO RETURN THE CAR. AFTER CONFIRMING I HAD NOT HIRED A LAWYER, [XXX]. FROM FIAT OFFERED TO SELL ME ANOTHER CAR FROM CHRYSLER IF I PAID AN ADDITIONAL $5000. I DECLINED. ON 10/17/2014 THE DEALER RETURNED THE CAR SAYING THE MAIN COMPUTER HAD FAILED AND BEEN REPLACED. THIS DIFFERED FROM THE 10/13 OPINION. ON 4/27/2015 (19,817 MILES)THE WARNING LIGHT RETURNED AND STAYED ON. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER (5TH TIME IN 18 MO.). SERVICE SAID TWO MODULES WERE "NOT COMMUNICATING" AND THEY REBOOTED THE COMPUTER SYSTEM. ON 5/5/2015 (20,369 MILES) THE CAR STOPPED COMPLETELY, FLASHING THE SERVICE PROPULSION SYSTEM LIGHT. IT STOPPED AND PUT ITSELF INTO PARK WHILE I WAS ON HWY 67. CARS WERE DRIVING AT ME AT 60 MPH FROM 3 DIRECTIONS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10717170
Incident
May 6, 2015
Mileage
2,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 19, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FIAT 500E. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V235000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SCHEDULE A RECALL REPAIR SEVERAL TIMES AND THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE CONTACT HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO CALIFORNIA TO HAVE THE REPAIR PERFORMED BECAUSE IT WAS AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE WITH THE VENT CONTROLS AND THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT HAD TO MAKE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO GET THE VEHICLE REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER DID NOT MENTION THIS TO THE CONTACT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE CONTACT RELOCATED TO ANOTHER STATE, THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO SCHEDULE A RECALL APPOINTMENT WITHIN A REASONABLE TIMEFRAME. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.

NHTSA ID
10695434
Incident
Oct 15, 2014
Mileage
5,000 mi
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Mar 16, 2015

WHILE SLOWING TO TAKE A RIGHT HAND TURN THE CAR JERKED BACK AND HAD MOVED ITSELF FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL. IMMEDIATELY THE "SERVICE ELECTRIC VEHICLE SYSTEM" LIGHT CAME ON AND MADE A LOUD NOISE. I STOPPED, BUT WAS UNABLE TO MOVE THE CAR BACK INTO DRIVE. THE CAR WOULD NOT REVERSE EITHER. ONLY PARK OR NEUTRAL WERE WORKING. I WAS FORCED TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND HAD SOMEONE GET OUT AND PUSH THE CAR SO WE COULD MOVE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO FIAT DEALER WHERE THEY INDICATED IT WAS A GLITCH IN THE SOFTWARE AND THAT IT WAS FIXED WITH A SOFTWARE UPDATE "RRT 15-001". EXACTLY ONE WEEK LATER THE SAME INCIDENT HAS OCCURRED, AND THE CAR IS BEING TOWED AGAIN TO THE DEALERSHIP. *TR

NHTSA ID
10694648
Incident
Mar 8, 2015
Mileage
10,679 mi
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Nov 15, 2014

FIAT 500 E (ELECTRIC ENGINE) WAS FULLY CHARGED. STARTED CAR AND BACKED OUT OF DRIVEWAY. HEADED DOWN RESIDENTIAL STREET AT APPROXIMATELY 25MPH. WITHIN 1/8 MILE, "SERVICE ELECTRICAL VEHICLE SYSTEM" WARNING LIGHT CAME UP. CAR STARTED TO LOSE POWER, BUT WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER BEFORE CAR STOPPED. CAR WOULD START, SHOW WARNING LIGHT, BUT COULD NOT BE PUT INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE TO BE DRIVEN. WAS ABLE TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND PUSH IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HAD TOWED (FLAT BED) TO FIAT DEALER - WHERE CAR RESTARTED WITHOUT PROBLEM. FIAT DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. KEPT CAR FOR ONE WEEK, TESTED FOR 100+ MILES. TOLD ME "CORPORATE" KNEW OF THE PROBLEM AND WAS WORKING ON A "SOFTWARE FIX" - BUT TO TAKE THE CAR HOME AND DRIVE IT. THIS CAR HAS BEEN PART OF A FIAT RECALL (WORK COMPLETED TWO MONTHS PRIOR) TO PREVENT THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM. DID NOT HAVE THE PROBLEM BEFORE THE RECALL. SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED IN A FRIEND'S 2014 FIAT 500 E TONIGHT - EXACT SAME WAY - WITH ENGINE POWER FAILING WHILE CAR IS IN MOTION - WITH JUST BARELY ENOUGH TIME TO GET OUT OF TRAFFIC LANE. THIS FRIEND'S VEHICLE HAD ALSO HAD THE RECALL COMPLETED A MONTH PRIOR. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED BY OTHER OWNERS ON THE INTERNET AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE A CAR FAILS IN MOVING TRAFFIC RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10655154
Incident
Oct 10, 2014
Mileage
5,100 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

9100229

EQUIPMENT

LIFTER, Hydraulic Roller Deactivating Please do not replace MDS lifters because the disconnecting pin is not lined up, this is normal and not a defect.

9100229

SUSPENSION

LIFTER, Hydraulic Roller Deactivating Please do not replace MDS lifters because the disconnecting pin is not lined up, this is normal and not a defect.

9100226

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website to confirm part number and applicability. There is an error with the wiring diagrams in Service Library that is causing the incorrect repair kit part number to populate. Please use the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website until this issue is resolved.

9100226

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website to confirm part number and applicability. There is an error with the wiring diagrams in Service Library that is causing the incorrect repair kit part number to populate. Please use the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website until this issue is resolved.

93023

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Warranty Bulletin D-16-03 - "Can / Am" Warranty Coverage - 594 / 595 / 596 WCC (Rev. B)

93120

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

FCA Caribbean Warranty Bulletin ID-23-20 "Can / Am" Warranty Coverage - 594 / 595 / 596 WCC

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Fiat 500E by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026000
2025010
2024520
2017001
2016411
2015112150.0
2014163155.3
2013Viewing164150.9

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.