Home · 2013 Fiat 500 Cabrio · Complaints

What 161 owners told NHTSA about the 2013 Fiat 500 Cabrio

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (161)Crash / fire / injury (12)Transmission & drivetrain (76)Engine (21)Electrical system (17)Fuel system (12)Airbags (10)Body & structure (10)Lights (9)Brakes (7)Steering (7)Speed control (5)

76 of 161 complaints match · Transmission & drivetrain · clear filters · page 3 of 4

Jan 18, 2017Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FIAT 500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V302000 (POWER TRAIN) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 10946131

Dec 29, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

2013 FIAT 500. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REPLACEMENT PARTS NOT AVAILABLE TO REPAIR RECALL NOTICE 16V-302. *SMD THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY WAS AVAILABLE. HOWEVER, THE CLUTCH WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALER STATED THEY WOULD NOT BE PERFORMING ANY RECALLS, UNTIL THE BEGINNING OF THE NEW YEAR. *JB

NHTSA ODI 10937008

Dec 28, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FIAT 500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V302000 (POWER TRAIN) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE TWO DEALERS CONTACTED DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 10937945

Nov 25, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FIAT 500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V302000 (POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. 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 NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 10927836

Nov 10, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FIAT 500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V302000 (POWER TRAIN). THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR 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 NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 10925383

Oct 24, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FIAT 500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V302000 (POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10918468

Oct 21, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FIAT 500. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE GEAR SHIFTER AND CLUTCH FAILED, AND THE CONTACT HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V302000 (POWER TRAIN). THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR 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 FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10917794

Oct 19, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FIAT 500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V302000 (POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. 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 NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10917332

Oct 4, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FIAT 500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V302000 (POWER TRAIN) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. 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 NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10913710

Oct 3, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FIAT 500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V302000 (POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER, THE REMEDY WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 01/05/2017*CT UPDATED 01/23/17.*JB

NHTSA ODI 10911230

Sep 27, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FIAT 500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V302000 (POWER TRAIN) HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED ANY FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10910063

Sep 16, 2016Transmission & drivetrainEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FIAT 500. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND SWITCHED OUT OF GEAR WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE BEYOND 15 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000.

NHTSA ODI 10907070

Aug 25, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

I WAS DRIVING ON A 45 MPH ROAD WHEN SUDDENLY THE CLUTCH PEDDLE FELL TO THE FLOOR, BECAME EXTREMELY STIFF AND BECAME UNRESPONSIVE. THE GEAR SHIFTER STAYED STUCK IN SECOND GEAR AND COULD NOT MOVE. THIS WAS A NARROW, WINDY ROAD WITH NO SHOULDER AND SIGNIFICANT ELEVATION CHANGES RUNNING THROUGH A DENSELY WOODED AREA OF PENNSYLVANIA. THERE WAS NO WHERE TO PULL OVER AND OTHER CARS ON THE ROAD. THERE IS CURRENTLY A RECALL FOR THIS CLUTCH BUT THE PARTS HAVE NOT YET BEEN MANUFACTURED. I HAVE ALREADY HAD THE CLUTCH REPLACED ONCE, SO THIS NEW CLUTCH ALSO SUDDENLY FAILED WITHOUT WARNING AND WITH NO SIGNS OF THE USUAL CLUTCH WEAR AND FATIGUE. JUST SUDDEN CLUTCH FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. THE CAR HAS59000 MILES ON IT AND IS ONLY3 YEARS OLD. FIAT EXPECTS ME TO PAY IN FULL TO HAVE THE SAME DEFECTIVE CLUTCH PARTS INSTALLED A THIRD TIME. I CAN THEN APPLY FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR THESE KNOWN DEFECTIVE PARTS. I WILL THEN HAVE TO BRING THE CAR BACK FOR A FOURTH CLUTCH WHEN THE NEW PARTS ARE AVAILABLE UNDER TYRE RECALL.

NHTSA ODI 10898627

Aug 24, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FIAT 500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V302000 (POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. 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 NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI 10898184

Aug 23, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE IN JUNE, 2 MONTHS LATER AND THE DEALERSHIP IS STILL TELLING ME THAT FIAT HASN'T SENT THEM THE PARTS AND THERE'S NOTHING THEY CAN DO. THE RECALL IS RELATED TO THE CLUTCH GOING OUT. THE RECALL NOTICE NOTED THAT THIS CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI 10898098

Aug 16, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FIAT 500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V302000 (POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER, THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10896415

Aug 9, 2016Transmission & drivetrain1 injury

AFTER CONTACTING CHRYSLER CORP I AM BEING TOLD THAT THERE ARE NO PARTS FOR MY RECALL AND THAT I SHOULD MAKE THE REPAIR ON MY OWN UTILIZING THE SAME DEFECTIVE PARTS THAT ARE ON RECALL!!! I ALREADY HAD AN ACCIDENT ON 7/29 WHEN THE CAR STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET AND WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO PUSH IT OUT OF HARMS WAY I FELL HARD ON THE CONCRETE. TO PUT IN AT MY COST THE SAME DEFECTIVE PARTS IS PUTTING MY LIFE IN DANGER.

NHTSA ODI 10894440

Aug 5, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

FIAT 500 STICK SHIFT RECALL I HAVE CONTACTED CHRYSLER CORPORATE TO INQUIRE ABOUT MY RECALL AND THEY ARE STATING THAT THEY HAVE NO PARTS. IF I WOULD LIKE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR I COULD THEN I COULD "BATTLE IT OUT" WITH CHRYSLER FOR REIMBURSEMENT. I NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER. I ONLY FOUND OUT WHEN I CONTACTED THE DEALER. I WAS DRIVING MY CAR WHEN THE STICK SEIZED UP AND I COULDNT SHIFT MY CAR AND IT LEFT ME STRANDED IN THE STREET. I PUSHED MY CAR OUT OF HARMS WAY AND I ENDED UP FALLING ON THE STREET WHEN I LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR PUSHING IT. 2 POLICE OFFICERS CAME TO MY AID. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THEY HAD IT TOWED. THEN I WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO PARTS AVAILABLE/. I HAVE CALLED CHRYSLER CORPORATION BUT NO ONE WILL ADDRESS MY COMPLAINT. I AM WITHOUT A CAR, A RENTAL NOTHING. I WAS ADVISED 3 TIMES THAT A FIAT MANAGER FROM CORPORATE WOULD CALL ME. THEY HAVE NOT. NO ONE WANTS TO ASSIST ME.

NHTSA ODI 10893402

Aug 3, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FIAT 500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT. THE SHIFTER GEAR FAILED TO SHIFT. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V302000 (POWER TRAIN) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR 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 FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 09/22/16*LJ *TR

NHTSA ODI 10892981

Aug 2, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FIAT 500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V302000 (POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10892596

Jul 12, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FIAT 500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT IN AND OUT OF GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V302000 (POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000.

NHTSA ODI 10884329

Jul 7, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FIAT 500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V302000 (POWER TRAIN) WAS RECEIVED. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATED TIME FOR RECEIVING THE PARTS COULD BE GIVEN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10883358

Jun 24, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

THE MANUAL SHIFTER IS VERY DIFFICULT TO ENGAGE IN REVERSE, 1ST AND SECOND GEAR. I WAS TOLD BY FIAT THAT THE REVERSE GEAR IS A QUIRK OF THE CAR AND THERE IS NO SOLUTION. THIS 1 &2 SHIFTING PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC FROM A COMPLETE STOP. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THE GEARS WERE DIFFICULT DUE TO THE CLUTCH AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. MY CAR HAS 12,400 MILES AND THE CLUTCH WAS NOT COVERED AND I PAID FOR THE REPLACEMENT. I WAS SHOCKED THAT MY CLUTCH NEEDED REPLACEMENT AT 12,000 MILES! I CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURE ABOUT THE DEFECT, BUT FIAT AGREED THAT I HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE CLUTCH. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE CAR HAS THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE GEARS. I DON'T BELIEVE THAT CLUTCH NEEDED REPLACEMENT, THE CAR HAS A DEFECT.

NHTSA ODI 10876350

Jan 13, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FIAT 500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, WHILE DEPRESSING THE CLUTCH TO SLOW DOWN, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL SOUND AND THE GEAR FAILED TO SHIFT WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED THE VEHICLE TO A PARKING AREA. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000. ...UPDATED 02/19/16 *BF *CN

NHTSA ODI 10819915

Jul 2, 2015Transmission & drivetrainBrakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FIAT 500. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS A LOUD SCREECHING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD TO BE LIGHTLY DEPRESSED AND THE STEERING WHEEL HAD TO BE TURNED IN ORDER FOR THE NOISE TO SUBSIDE. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. A WEEK LATER, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT STRUT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AGAIN WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR BRAKES FAILED AND THE CALIPER SEIZED, WHICH CAUSED THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE ROTOR TO ABNORMALLY DETERIORATE. THE ROTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. A FEW MONTHS LATER, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CLUTCH COULD NOT BE DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT SHIFT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 3,171.

NHTSA ODI 10731727

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Working with the data? Download all 161 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 24, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2013 Fiat 500 Cabrio verdict →