2018 Fiat 500X Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
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What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2018 Fiat 500X, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine731.8%
- Electrical522.7%
- Powertrain (other)418.2%
- Brakes29.1%
- Fuel system29.1%
- Driver assistance14.5%
- Body & structure14.5%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
I purchased my 2018 Fiat 500X POP used in April 2023 with only 22k miles. This past weekend 12/16 when I would first start my car up and get ready to leave in the mornings after having been parked for the night, my car would start up normal and I could proceed down the street. The minute I apply the break my car would lose power, stall out or shut off completely. I would press the start button, release the break, shift the gear to drive and proceed forward. I would go about 20 mph as I was driving in a residential area then my car would stall out and shut off again leaving stuck in the roadway. I repeated the start process to pull over to a safe location. I called the dealer and they said there are no recalls for this issue, however, I located one, but my VIN is not coming back as one of the affected vehicles. This is extremely dangerous as I live in an area with freeways as the only way to get to certain areas and cannot have this vehicle shutdown on freeways because it could result in a bad accident. I am looking for any assistance I can receive from this complaint. Fiat is not helpful, and the closest dealer is 2hrs from my residence.
There is an active recall for the power train control module for this car but it is not showing up in the NHTSA list. https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2018/RCRIT-18V524-1313.pdf identifies the specific recall for the powertrain control module for the Fiat 500X https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2018/FIAT/500X/SUV/2WD#recalls lists the recalls done for the vehicle and it does not list the powertrain control module recall issue. We just bought this car from CARMAX and looks like this campaign recall fix was not listed on the site so they didn't address it and now the car wont work or run. If the recall was listed by the VIN they would have been required to fix before selling.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE Transmission Valve Body Solenoid was diagnosed as not working. while i was driving on the highway without any indication the car just started slowing down . There was not a warning or anything, then the transmission service lights up, i had to have my car towed to a dealership however they informed me that there was never any service they were supposed to do on my transmission because of the type of vehicle i have. this part is expensive and not easily obtainable. car is still showing transmission issue.
Car continuously throttled while driving on highway and road with no warnings. Vehicle electric components like radio and parking camera would shut off and not come back on without warning or while using camera. Car now gives warnings of vehicle temperature too high
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE Transmission Valve Body Solenoid was diagnosed as not working. while i was driving on the highway without any indication the car just started slowing down . There was not a warning or anything, then the transmission service lights up, i had to have my car towed to a dealership however they informed me that there was never any service they were supposed to do on my transmission because of the type of vehicle i have. this part is expensive and not easily obtainable. car is still showing transmission issue.
I purchased my 2018 Fiat 500X POP used in April 2023 with only 22k miles. This past weekend 12/16 when I would first start my car up and get ready to leave in the mornings after having been parked for the night, my car would start up normal and I could proceed down the street. The minute I apply the break my car would lose power, stall out or shut off completely. I would press the start button, release the break, shift the gear to drive and proceed forward. I would go about 20 mph as I was driving in a residential area then my car would stall out and shut off again leaving stuck in the roadway. I repeated the start process to pull over to a safe location. I called the dealer and they said there are no recalls for this issue, however, I located one, but my VIN is not coming back as one of the affected vehicles. This is extremely dangerous as I live in an area with freeways as the only way to get to certain areas and cannot have this vehicle shutdown on freeways because it could result in a bad accident. I am looking for any assistance I can receive from this complaint. Fiat is not helpful, and the closest dealer is 2hrs from my residence.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
Car continuously throttled while driving on highway and road with no warnings. Vehicle electric components like radio and parking camera would shut off and not come back on without warning or while using camera. Car now gives warnings of vehicle temperature too high
FULL SPEED FORWARD COLLISION WARNING PLUS DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. WARNING AND BREAKS NEVER ACTIVATE EVEN IF 1 FOOT FROM CAR IN FRONT.*DT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
There is an active recall for the power train control module for this car but it is not showing up in the NHTSA list. https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2018/RCRIT-18V524-1313.pdf identifies the specific recall for the powertrain control module for the Fiat 500X https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2018/FIAT/500X/SUV/2WD#recalls lists the recalls done for the vehicle and it does not list the powertrain control module recall issue. We just bought this car from CARMAX and looks like this campaign recall fix was not listed on the site so they didn't address it and now the car wont work or run. If the recall was listed by the VIN they would have been required to fix before selling.
2021 Car failed RECALL OIL CONSUMPTION test twice at local dealership. Sept 2021 dealership said replaced a part. Oct 2021, when leaving a gas station car would not start, dashboard was flashing symbols and died, would not start, after 1/2 hr car bucked to house 6 blocks away. Yes car is available for inspection. Feb 2022 car died twice in middle of busy street with a 18wheeler almost ramming me in back, oil symbol briefly flashed then car died, couldn't even pull over to side, very frightening experience for at 73 yrs old. After 1/2 hr or so was able to return home, next day drove to dealership they said no oil in car, tapped it off, but I had just got an oil change and driven only 1798 miles. Problem has been confirmed and test done 3 times to qualify for motor replacement. OIL Warning Lamp does not stay on, only a brief flash. 3 Fail tests but has not been included in RECALL OIL CONSUMPTION.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
AFTER 10,000 MILES THESE ISSUES STARTED TO OCCUR. WE WERE QUOTED THE ENGINE EXPERIENCED THESE ISSUES DUE TO THE ENGINE BURNING OIL. THE CAR SPUTTERS, IT IS SLUGGISH, WHILE DRIVING IT LOSES POWER AND IS SLOW TO PICK UP OR DOESN'T PICK UP AT ALL. WE SLOWED DOWN DRAMATICALLY WHILE DOING 60 ON THE HIGHWAY.. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED US TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. VERY DANGEROUS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
Driver side door handle broken. Started sticking and being hard to pull/open and when open would stick in the out position and not latch shut unless pushed back in. Soon after it broke, suspected handle hinge malfunction, cannot be opened from the outside. Multiple other complaints about door handles on 500’s. Requires using passenger door to enter vehicle or leaving driver side window down to open from interior handle. Huge safety concern.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .