Home · 2015 Fiat 500 Cabrio · Complaints

What 92 owners told NHTSA about the 2015 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 (92)Crash / fire / injury (9)Transmission & drivetrain (32)Electrical system (26)Engine (12)Fuel system (6)Lights (5)Speed control (5)Steering (5)Brakes (4)Seats (4)Visibility & wipers (4)

Newest first · 92 complaints · page 2 of 4

Jul 30, 2020Visibility & wipers

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FIAT 500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW DETACHED AND FELL INSIDE OF THE DOOR PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FIAT OF SCOTTSDALE LOCATED AT 16301 N. 78TH ST, SCOTTSDALE, AZ 85260, TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WINDOW REGULATOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000.

NHTSA ODI 11342338

Jun 22, 2020Fire

I WAS DRIVING A TOTAL OF 4 AND A HALF HOURS BACK HOME FROM A TRIP. MOST OF THE TRIP WAS VIA STRAIGHT FREEWAY. I WAS 2 HOURS IN WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED BLINKING. I CALLED MY DAD WHO SAID TO PULL OVER IMMEDIATELY. I LET MY CAR GLIDE THROUGH THE EXIT THAT WAS COMING UP AND I NOTICED SMOKE FLOWING BEHIND MY CAR. I PULLED OVER AND GOT OUT TO SEE SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE HOOD. I OPENED THE HOOD AND DISCUSSED WHAT WAS HAPPENING WITH MY DAD. ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD A NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE A BLOW TORCH AND FLAMES CAME UP OUT OF THE ENGINE. I RAN ABOUT 50-100 METERS AWAY AND CALLED 911. QUICKLY, THE WHOLE HOOD WAS ON FIRE. THANKFULLY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT MUST HAVE BEEN CLOSE BY BECAUSE THEY WERE ABLE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE BEFORE IT GOT TOO FAR INSIDE THE CAR. THE WINDSHIELD MELTED AND SHATTERED. I FOUND GLASS STUCK ON MY PURSE AND HAT SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. I HAD TO THROW THEM AWAY AS I COULD NOT GET THE GLASS OFF. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO A TOW YARD WHERE MY INSURANCE COMPANY INSPECTED IT. THEY COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE FOR THE DAMAGE. SINCE THE CAR WAS A 2015 MODEL THAT I HAD PURCHASED NEW AND IT WAS 2018, I THOUGHT IT WAS STRANGE THAT THIS WOULD HAPPEN SO I HAD FIAT PICK UP THE VEHICLE AND INSPECT IT. THEY SAID THEY DID NOT FIND THAT THE FIRE WAS ASSOCIATED WITH MANUFACTURING OR ASSEMBLY ERROR. I THEN HAD MY INSURANCE COMPANY TAKE IT AND CLOSE THE CLAIM. STILL FIND IT STRANGE THAT A 3 YEAR OLD CAR SUDDENLY CAUGHT ON FIRE WITH NO WARNING. I'M GLAD I WAS ABLE TO MOVE OFF TO THE SIDE AND THAT I WASN'T IN THE CAR WHEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE FULLY. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE THOUGH IS STILL UNKNOWN. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11330188

Jun 5, 2020Electrical systemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FIAT 500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BROWNS FIAT LOCATED AT 483 NEW YORK-112, EAST PATCHOGUE, NY 11772, TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BATTERY WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 16V303000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,483.

NHTSA ODI 11327395

Feb 6, 2020Body & structureWheels

ON 2/5/2020, I LEFT MY HOME TO GO TO WORK. IT WAS A COLD MORNING IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AND WHEN I GOT IN THE CAR AND TURNED IT ON A YELLOW SNOWFLAKE/ROAD APPEARED. IN THE 5 YEARS THAT I HAVE HAD THIS CAR, I HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS IMAGE APPEAR ON THE DASHBORD. I STARTED TO DRIVE THE CAR AND CALLED FIAT CHRYSLER TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE WARNING LIGHT. I SPOKE WITH A REPRESENTATIVE NAMED ASHLEY IN THE CALL CENTER. I TOLD ASHLEYT ABOUT THE WARNING AND SHE PLACED ME ON HOLD TO RESEARCH IT. SHE CAME BACK ON THE LINE AND THE WARNING MEANT I NEEDED TO PUT SNOW TIRES ON MY CAR BECAUSE OF THE WEATHER. I TOLD HER IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WHERE I LIVE WE DON'T NEED SNOW TIRES BECAUSE IT DOES NOT SNOW. SHE THEN TOLD ME MY TIRES WERE COLD ALONG WITH THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR AND UNDERCARRIAGE THEREFORE THE CAR WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. I TOLD HER THE TIRES WERE LESS THAN A YEAR OLD AND NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THEM. SHE THEN SAID IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE. I SAID OK AND END THE CALL. AFTER THINKING FOR A BIT IT WAS UNSETTLING THAT I WAS DRIVING A CAR THAT WAS UNSAFE AS A FIAT REP INFORMED ME OF THIS SO I CALLED BACK TO START A BUY BACK WITH FIAT. I THEN SPOKE TO ANOTHER WHO INFORMED ME ASHLEY WAS NOT A MECHANIC AND SHOULD NOT HAVE TOLD ME THIS. I COULD NOT GET HER TO ACKNOWLEDGE IF THE CAR WAS SAFE TO DRIVE SO I ASKED HER TO HAVE A SUPERVISOR REVIEW THE CALL AND CALL ME BACK. I RECEIVED A CALL FROM MELISSA THE SUPERVISOR WHO ADVISED SHE REVIEWED THE CALL ASHLEY DID IN FACT TELL ME THIS BUT SHOUDL NOT HAVE THEREFORE IT'S A COACHING OPPORTUNITY FOR HER. I ASKED MELISSA TO SEND ME A LETTER CONFIRMING THE SAFETY OF THE CAR AND SHE WOULD NOT. I THEN INFORMED HER I WOULD CONTACT THE CALIFORNIA DEPT. OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS. THE SENSOR EVENTUALLY WENT AWAY ONCE THE CAR WARMED UP.

NHTSA ODI 11307609

Jan 9, 2020Electrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FIAT 500E. WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST MOTIVE POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO RENTON CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM LOCATED AT 585 RAINIER AVE S, RENTON, WA 98057, (425) 430-1000 TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER IN THE POWER INVERTER WHICH CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V303000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000.

NHTSA ODI 11298153

Jan 6, 2020Transmission & drivetrain

I STOPPED IN A DRIVEWAY AND TRIED TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE. THE CAR HAS A MANUAL 5 SPEED TRANSMISSION. THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE. THE ONLY 2 GEARS AVAILABLE WERE 3RD, NEUTRAL, AND 4TH. INVESTIGATION FOUND THAT ONE OF THE 2 SHIFT CABLES CAME OFF THE SHIFT LEVER ON THE TRANSMISSION. THIS HAPPENED IN A DRIVEWAY, BUT COULD HAVE HAPPENED IN TRAFFIC, RESULTING IN NOT BEING ABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 11297395

Dec 4, 2019SeatsVisibility & wipers

2015 FIAT 500. DRIVER SIDE WINDOW FAILED DUE TO BROKEN LIFT PLATE AT 37,561 MILES. NOW THE PASSENGER SIDE FAILS AT 40,001 MILES. DEALER CLAIMS NOT UNDER WARRANTY, NO TSB, 'SILENT WARRANTY' AND SAYS THE WINDOWS TYPICALLY FAIL ON A 4 TO 5 YEAR OLD CAR.

NHTSA ODI 11286827

Oct 30, 2019SteeringElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

WE HAVE RAN INTO TWO ISSUES WITH THE CAR. THE FIRST ISSUE WAS LAST YEAR THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE COMPUTER INSIDE NOT WORKING WHICH IN TURN CAUSE ISSUES WITH THE BLUETOOTH, LIGHTING, AND DASHBOARD. THE MECHANIC SAID IT COULD IN TURN RESULT IN OTHER ISSUES AS WELL. WE RECENTLY STARTED THE CAR AND IT STARTED SHAKING, THE DASHBOARD WENT OUT, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND THEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT.

NHTSA ODI 11277185

Oct 15, 2019SteeringSuspension

A FEW DAYS AFTER NORMANDIN CHRYSLER DID A RECALL CLUTCH REPAIR, THE PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM CAME LOOSE AT THE WHEEL CAUSING VEHICLE TO BE UNCONTROLLABLE AND RIGHT TIRE TO JAM INTO WHEEL WELL. I HAD JUST TURNED LEFT ONTO A ROAD FROM A DRIVEWAY. I HEARD A GRINDING SOUND AND PULLED THE CAR OVER. CV FLUIDS ON ROAD. AXEL DISCONNECTED AT BOTH ENDS.

NHTSA ODI 11268427

Oct 10, 2019Tires

2015 FIAT 500 ABARTH. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO TIRE SAFETY ISSUES. CONSUMER STATES TIRES PRE-DATE MANUFACTURE DATE OF VEHICLE WITH VEHICLE BEING SOLD WITH TIRES IN THIS CONDITION (SEVERE CRACKING, DRY ROT). *AS *JS

NHTSA ODI 11267472

Sep 11, 2019Tires

2015 FIAT 500. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO CRACKED AND DRY ROTTED TIRES ON VEHICLE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALERSHIP KNOWINGLY SOLD A VEHICLE WITH POORLY WORN TIRES. *JS

NHTSA ODI 11254911

Jun 13, 2019Transmission & drivetrain

THE SHIFT CABLE FOR THE TRANSMISSION BROKE LEAVING ME UNABLE TO ACCELERATE WHILE IN MOVING TRAFFIC ON A 4 LANE STATE HIGHWAY. THE PART IS ON BACK ORDER AND I HAVE NOT HAD USE OF MY CAR FOR OVER A WEEK AND POSSIBLY UP TO A MONTH.

NHTSA ODI 11219851

May 30, 2019Visibility & wipers

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FIAT 500. ATER THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS A CRACK ON THE FRONT WINDSHIELD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. FIAT AUTO GALLERY VAN NUYS (5711 VAN NUYS BLVD, VAN NUYS, CA 91401, (818) 593-0959) REPLACED THE WINDOW. THE FAILURE RECURRED FIVE TIMES SINCE THE INITIAL REPAIR. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THERE AS A CRACK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE MANUFACTURER RECEIVED PICTURES OF THE MOST RECENT WINDSHIELD CRACK, BUT WOULD NOT REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD FOR FREE SINCE THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI 11216938

May 13, 2019

I WAS DRIVING ON A 4 LANE PARKWAY, WITH MY CHILDREN, AND THE CAR SUDDENLY WOULDN'T GO INTO ANY GEAR. UPON INSPECTION, THE CLUTCH WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR ONLY HAS 70,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS HAD ROUTINE MAINTENANCE.

NHTSA ODI 11207368

Apr 1, 2019Transmission & drivetrainEngineFuel system

THE RECALL WAS STOPPED AT 74 000 MILES AND NOW I NEED TO BUY A NEW CARE I HAVE AN OIL LEAK ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF\ENGINE BY THE CAM SEAL, ACTUATOR

NHTSA ODI 11193125

Feb 10, 2019Electrical systemLights

WHENEVER I TURN THE HEADLIGHTS ON, THEY GO OFF. WHENEVER I TURN THE HEADLIGHTS OFF, THEY GO ON. BECAUSE OF THIS, THE BREAK LIGHTS DON'T WORK. WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT I HAVE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN BREAK LIGHTS OR HEADLIGHTS. FIAT WANTS OVER $1000 TO FIX ONE MONTH AFTER WARRANTY.

NHTSA ODI 11176112

Jan 14, 2019Transmission & drivetrain

WHILE DRIVING TO WORK THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION WOULD ONLY GO INTO 3RD AND 4TH GEAR. NO WARNING LIGHT, NO PROBLEM LIGHT, NOTHING. JUST STOPPED AT THE ATOP SIGN AND WILL NOT GO INTO ANY GEAR OTHER THAN 3RD AND 4TH GEAR. THE CAR ONLY HAS 50,650 MILES.

NHTSA ODI 11169887

Jan 14, 2019Transmission & drivetrainElectrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FIAT 500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ORANGE COAST ALFA ROMEO AND FIAT (LOCATED AT 2524 HARBOR BLVD, COSTA MESA, CA 92626, (714) 546-4511) TO BE REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V302000 (POWER TRAIN), THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT A FAILURE CODE COULD NOT BE LOCATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,700.

NHTSA ODI 11169998

Dec 13, 2018Electrical system

RADIO AND OTHER ELECTRONICS WENT BLANK, WE CAME TO LOCAL DEALER TO FIX IT. THEY CHANGED IT AND IT STILL NOT WORKING,VERY WENT BACK THEY CHANGED IT AGAIN, STILL NOT WORKING, MADE 3 RD APPOINTMENT TO FIVE IT, LOOSING A FAITH THAT THEY EVER WILL FIX IT RIGHT.

NHTSA ODI 11161123

Nov 3, 2018Transmission & drivetrain

WHILE DRIVING, ONE OF THE SHIFT CONTROL CABLES CAME DETACHED FROM THE TRANSMISSION. (MANUAL TRANSMISSION) THIS LEFT ME WITH ONLY 3RD AND 4TH GEAR.

NHTSA ODI 11145096

Aug 29, 2018Electrical systemSpeed controlVisibility & wipers

2015 FIAT 500 POP. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PROBLEMS COMPUTER SYSTEM AND ACCELERATION. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE CD PLAYER WAS INOPERABLE, THE REAR WIPERS STICK, THE GAUGES FLUCTUATE, AND THE FLOOR MATS WERE MISSING FROM THE VEHICLE. *JS

NHTSA ODI 11122608

Jun 27, 2018Electrical systemLightsEngine

LOSS OF TOTAL DASH DISPLAY AT ANY GIVEN TIME , HAVE TO DISCONNECT BATTERY FOR 5MINS RECONNECT TO REGAIN DASH BACK , THIS STARTED DAY 1 OF PURCHASE WHEN PULLING OFF THE CAR LOT .

NHTSA ODI 11104455

Jun 1, 2018Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FIAT 500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE ABILITY TO SWITCH GEARS BECAME VERY DIFFICULT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR AND NINE MONTHS, AND HAD WORSENED. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V302000 (POWER TRAIN) AND STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WITHIN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. THE DEALER (BOB BAKER CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM, 5555 CAR COUNTRY DRIVE, CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA 92008) CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE GEARS DID NOT ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 11099144

May 20, 2018Electrical systemBrakesEngine

WAS IN MOTION ON A SURFACE STREET AFTER JUST LEAVING A 4-WAY STOP INTERSECTION. THE CAR AUTOMATICALLY LEFT DRIVE AND WENT TO PARK. THE MESSAGE ON THE THE DASH SAID "BRAKING SYSTEM NEEDS MAINTENANCE." EVERY TIME THE CAR WAS PUT INTO NEUTRAL IT SHIFTED ITSELF TO PARK. ELECTRIC CAR, I THINK IT IS THE ENGINE (POWER INVERTER).

NHTSA ODI 11096929

Feb 9, 2018Transmission & drivetrainFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FIAT 500. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT DETECTED AN ABNORMAL BURNING ODOR AND SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND WAS TOWED TO CLASSIC CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP (111 I-20 EAST FRONTAGE RD, ARLINGTON, TX 76018, 682-226-6400). THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: 32948895. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER A WARRANTY OR RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,191.

NHTSA ODI 11071966

← NewerOlder →

Working with the data? Download all 92 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 2015 Fiat 500 Cabrio verdict →