2017 Fiat 500X Owner Complaints

I received a customer satisfaction notification from FCA US LLC stating they were recommending some improvements on my 2017 Fiat 500X equipped with a 2.4L engine. They had determined that some vehicles may have been consuming more oil than usual. We had noticed our car running low on oil between oil changes so we took it to our local Fiat dealer with the letter and they stated it wasn't coming up in their system so they couldn't run the test for us. We contacted Fiat directly and they stated the same thing. We did receive a letter so I don't understand what the issue is. My daughter drives the car and now I feel it's a safety issue for her. I wrote a letter to the FCA and have not yet received a response. I need help with this issue and running out of resources to help.

NHTSA ID

11715947

Incident

Dec 2, 2025

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? - The component that failed is the RFHM module in the rear driver side wheel well of the car. Due to water leaking into the car, the RFHM module is taking on water damage causing several electrical systems to fail including power steering, airbags, and starter. Both current RFHM and previously damaged RFHM module are available I believe. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? - As the car takes on water, the module fills internally with water as well. When this happens, several components of the car begin to go haywire including security, power steering, airbags, and other electronic readers. When this happens going down the road, my car has and can potentially shut itself off which is very dangerous going down a highway. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? - I first diagnosed what was going on through with my car through other online forums of people experiencing the same problems. I took my vehicle to my mechanic where he ordered a new RFHM Module and had a mobile locksmith acquire a new key. The locksmith was able to program one old key and one new key with the new module and the car was good to go again. Now, six months later, the same issue is happening with the same piece of equipment. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? - I have not pursued this yet but will be in touch with the manufacturer tomorrow. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? - There is no way to know when the car will work or when it won't after it rains or after a car wash. The symptoms come on suddenly and take time to dry out to be useable again.

NHTSA ID

11664976

Incident

Jun 4, 2025

February 2023 the Fiat breaks and transmission locked up and all of the lights on the dashboard started flashing in the middle of the road. filed claim with geico. turned out to be a leak somewhere in the body frame of the car which leaked water into the RF module of the car causing water damage inside the RF module causing the car transmission to lock up emergency brake lockup and all lights flashing and horn beeping uncontrollably. Geico paid Fiat dealership to replace RF module but not the leak. again in September 2023 this happened in the middle of busy [XXX]. the car completely locked up and screeched to a halt on the interstate nearly causing a crash. The car was taken back to the same dealership. they determined the RF module had water damage again caused by a leak. Geico refused to pay anything for repairs this time. after speaking with Fiat customer service representative, Fiat agreed to pay for diagnosis of leak, location and repair of leak and replacement of RF module. [XXX] the dealership said they found the leak. The leak was located somewhere on the back portion of the car. there was a crack on both sides of the back portion of the car. [XXX] the dealership cannot find the leak. The dealership wants to give the car back. we are terrified to drive the car because it could lock up at any moment again for a third time. after research, we discovered this leak into the RF module has happened many times in the Fiats around the world including UK. this car was purchased brand new by my [XXX] who cannot afford to buy another car and is terrified to drive this car. after posting the malfunction on YouTube, we discovered other people are having the same issue with Fiat. it sounds like a manufacturer defect somewhere in the welding or weather stripping. we have no idea. the dealership took photos of crack, leak. location, attached INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11568631

Incident

Jan 29, 2024

My Fiat 500 x only has 28k miles on it, and it is a manual transmission. While driving, it will not shift into the upper gears. I was told that it needs a new transmission. This seems to be the same issue that the same make and model Fiats from 2016 have been recalled for. Mine is a 2017, but it has the same issue and should be recalled, as well.

NHTSA ID

11563785

Incident

Nov 20, 2023

Vehicle shuts off while driving. The oil light is almost always on even after getting oil changes.

NHTSA ID

11540825

Incident

Jan 9, 2023

The contact owns a 2017 Fiat 500x. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would suddenly stall. After restarting the engine, the vehicle would operate as normal. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who discovered no engine oil was present inside the engine. The contact indicated that the engine oil had continued to be low shortly after oil changes were performed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but no failure was determined. The vehicle was later serviced at the dealer for an oil consumption test as part of a manufactures service campaign. No further information was available. The manufacturer was not contacted regarding the failures. The failure mileage was 1500.

NHTSA ID

11478815

Incident

Aug 11, 2017

Mileage

1,500 mi

THIS CAR IN BETWEN OIL CHANGES BURN THE OIL COMPLETE. WE TALK ABOUT 4 / 6 MONTHS. THE FIRST TIME MY WIFE DRIVE THE CAR AND THE MOTOR STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET, VERY DANGERUS. AFTER APROX. 6 MONTHS LATER BEFORE CHANGE THE OIL BURN ONE MORE TIME AND THE MOTOR WAS EMPTY, NO OIL. IN BOTH CASES I ADD OIL IN ORDER TO MOVE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP HAVE SERVICE BOLLETIN, THEY CHECK THE CAR, THEY SAID IS NORMAL FOR THIS CAR. SOMEBODY NEED DIE IN ORDER TO THE DEALERSHIP RECOGNAIZE IS A REAL PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID

11407844

Incident

Feb 27, 2021

Mileage

46,000 mi

THE FORWARD COLLISION WARNING SYSTEM DOES NOT FUNCTION AT ALL. TOOK IT TO TWO DIFFERENT FIAT DEALERS AND SINCE THERE ARE NO CODES SYSTEM OPERATING, BUT DOES NOT WORK AT ALL.

NHTSA ID

11398033

Incident

Dec 11, 2020

MY VEHICLE HAS ABRUPTLY SHUT OFF ON MY TWICE NOW. THE FIRST TIME, I HAD JUST MADE A TURN FROM A BUSY INTERSECTION NEAR MY HOME WHEN THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. THOUGH THE CAR STOPPED MOVING, NONE OF THE ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS OF WOULD SHUT OFF. I HAD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY TO MAKE IT SHUT OFF. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE CAR DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE, AND THEY RETURNED THE CAR TO ME, DOING NOTHING BECAUSE THE ISSUE DIDN'T HAPPEN WHEN THEY STARTED THE CAR A DAY LATER. FAST FORWARD SEVERAL WEEKS, THE CAR STOPPED -- THIS TIME ON THE FINAL SPACE OF A BRIDGE. BY THE GRACE OF GOD, WE COASTED TO THE BOTTOM OF THE BRIDGE WHERE THE CAR STOPPED COMPLETELY. AGAIN, THE CAR WOULDN'T SHUT OFF, BUT IT JUST DIDN'T MOVE. I HAD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY. THIS TIME, I LEFT THE CAR WHERE IT WAS, AND I RETURNED TO PICK UP THE CAR 24 HOURS LATER. THE CAR STARTED AND RAN JUST FINE. I THEN HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE I WAS FEELING UNCOMFORTABLE DRIVING IT. THEY HAVE KEPT THE CAR FOR FOUR DAYS, AND THEY CALLED ME TO SAY THEY DIDN'T DO ANYTHING BECAUSE THEY CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT. BECAUSE THERE'S AN OUTSTANDING RECALL (AND, COINCIDENTALLY, AN ENSUING CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT) ON THE CAR, THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD INITIATE THE RECALL ACTION. THIS IS TWO PART ACTION -- I BELIEVE -- BECAUSE FIAT HAS NO INTENTIONS OF PAYING FOR THESE REPAIRS. I DO NOT KNOW IF THIS IS WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY CAR, BUT THE MECHANIC DID INDICATE THAT THE OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUE MANIFESTS ITSELF IN THE WAYS I HAVE DESCRIBED. SO I HAVE TO KEEP MY CAR FOR 1,500 TO 1,700 MILES AND THEN ONLY RETURN TO THE DEALERSHIP IF I BELIEVE IT'S THE OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUE. I'M NOT SURE HOW I'M SUPPOSED TO DETERMINE THAT. ADDITIONALLY, BECAUSE WE'RE IN A PANDEMIC, AND I WFH, IT WILL TAKE ME TEN+ MONTHS TO ACCRUE THAT MANY DRIVE MILES.

NHTSA ID

11396460

Incident

Feb 11, 2021

Mileage

34,000 mi

SERVICE TRANSMISSION LIGHT APPEARS FOLLOWED BY "DRIVE MODE UNAVAILABLE." WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE VEHICLE IS BASICALLY IN "NEUTRAL." THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING, INCLUDING CITY STREETS AND ON A 65 MPH HIGHWAY. THE ONLY RECOURSE IS TO IMMEDIATELY PULL OVER (WHILE DRIFTING) AND TURN THE CAR OFF AND ON SEVERAL TIMES UNTIL THE DISPLAY CLEARS. FIAT SERVICE UPDATED VEHICLE CONTROL MODULES TO NO AVAIL. TCM WAS REPLACED TO NO AVAIL.

NHTSA ID

11234284

Incident

Jun 22, 2019

Mileage

74,000 mi

THE CAR STOPPED WORKING SUDDENLY IN THE MIAMI TURNPIKE, DRIVE MODE NOT AVAILABLE WENT ON, ALSO ABS, PARKING AND ENGINE LIGHTS WENT ON. IT WAS SCARY BECAUSE STOPPED WORKING WITHOUT PREVIOUS NOTICE. WE ALMOST HAVE AN ACCIDENT. IT HAPPENS THE SAME IN 2015, SAME MODEL IN TAMPA HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ID

11182909

Incident

Feb 8, 2019

Mileage

26,000 mi

THE SEAT BELT WILL NOT BUCKLE. BUT SHOWS THAT IT IS BUCKLED.

NHTSA ID

11173807

Incident

Feb 3, 2019

ON JANUARY 9TH, 2018 I LEASED A NEW 2017 FIAT 500X FROM FIAT AUTO GALLERY VAN NUYS AT 5711 VAN NUYS BLVD, VAN NUYS, CA 91401. TWO WEEKS LATER WHILE WASHING MY CAR FOR THE FIRST TIME, I NOTICED SOME CLOUDY SPOTS ON THE CAR'S EXTERIOR PAINT (3 SPOTS) AND WHAT APPEARED TO BE A BURN SPOT ON THE LEFT PASSENGER DOOR. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS A MANUFACTURING ISSUE THAT NEEDED TO BE HANDLED BY FIAT. THEY TOOK PICTURES AND WERE SUPPOSED TO CONTACT THE APPROPRIATE DEPARTMENT AT FIAT TO HANDLE MY CASE. AFTER SEVERAL WEEKS OF NO ACTIVITY, I CALLED CUSTOMER SERVICE AT FIAT DIRECTLY AND HAD THEM OPEN A CASE FOR ME. THE CASE AGENT COORDINATED WITH THE DEALERSHIP TO SEND THE PICTURES TO THE APPROPRIATE DEPARTMENT AT FIAT, AN INSPECTOR CAME OUT TO INSPECT MY VEHICLE AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT IN FACT, MY CAR'S PAINT HAD A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. THIS WAS DETERMINED BACK IN APRIL AND FIAT HAS FAILED TO RESOLVE MY CASE. I HAVE CALLED SEVERAL TIMES AND HAVE BEEN LIED TO REPEATEDLY THAT SOMEONE WOULD BE IN TOUCH WITH ME TO EITHER REPLACE MY VEHICLE OR HAVE ME TURN IN THE VEHICLE FOR A FULL REFUND. IT HAS BEEN 10 MONTHS SINCE I ALERTED FIAT OF THE ISSUE AND THEY REFUSE TO RESOLVE MY CASE.

NHTSA ID

11141345

Incident

Jan 21, 2018

Mileage

800 mi

I HAVE HAD SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS THAT HAVE COME ON SEVERAL DIFFERENT TIMES WHILE IN MOTION AND WHILE PARKED SINCE I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE A FEW MONTHS AGO. SERVICE ABS, DYNAMIC STEERING TORQUE, SERVICE ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE, SERVICE HILL HOLD CONTROL. THE FIRST TIME THESE LIGHTS CAME ON I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID THE LIGHTS DIDN'T COME ON DURING THE WEEK THEY HAD IT. SINCE THEN THE LIGHTS HAVE COME ON SEVERAL DAYS WHILE DRIVING ON THE CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS.

NHTSA ID

11105015

Incident

Jul 1, 2018

REAR LIFT GATE UNEXPECTEDLY UNLATCHES. THIS HAPPENS WHEN PASSIVE LOCKING AND UNLOCKING IS ACTIVATED. THIS HAPPENS SOMETIMES WHILE THE CAR IS RUNNING AND CAN HAPPEN WHEN VEHICLE IS STATIONARY OR MOVING

NHTSA ID

11088664

Incident

Apr 7, 2018

Mileage

5,000 mi