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2017 Fiat 500
Solid pick. The public record on this car is clean for its age. Inspect it, then negotiate with confidence.
13 owner complaints · 2 recalls · data verified July 13, 2026 · source: NHTSA
Why buy?
Very few owner complaints for its age and sales volume.
Complaint reports have faded. Early issues appear resolved or aged out.
The math, shown
Full methodology →Complaints filed per year
Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.
How it crashes
NHTSA’s own crash tests, separate from the reliability score above.
4/5 overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating · 2017 Fiat 500 3 HB FWD
Rollover risk in a single-vehicle crash: 15%
1 open NHTSA defect investigation on file, separate from the recalls above.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings. Star ratings compare vehicles within the same class and size, not across every car on the road.
The road ahead
What breaks on a 2017 Fiat 500, plotted where owners report it happening.
Electrical system
31%4 complaints
“The PCM system does not work at all and brakes seem off—either they stop too hard or drag when pressing in them”
Body & structure
23%3 complaints
“AFTER OWNING THE VEHICLE FOR JUST 5 MONTHS, I WAS PUSHING IN MY PASSENGER SIDE VIEW MIRROR AND IT POPPED OFF. I WENT BACK AND FORTH WITH THE DEALER, TAKING IN A COUPLE…”
Transmission & drivetrain
23%3 complaints
“CAR STOPPED AND QUICKLY SLOWED DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. I HAD VERY LITTLE TIME TO STEER CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE RBS/ABS SYSTEM STARTED SLOWING THE CAR ON ITS OWN…”
Brakes
15%2 complaints
“Just before coming to a stop the brakes grab and jerk the car. The brakes work normally otherwise.”
Recalls (2)
Safety recall repairs are free at the brand’s franchised dealers. Before buying, run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and make the seller show the work was done.
Tires · 24V474000
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Fiat 500 vehicles. The tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) warning light may not illuminate as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."
Risk: A TPMS warning light that fails to illuminate can result in the vehicle being driven with improperly inflated tires, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will reprogram the TPMS electronic control unit module, free of charge. Owners were mailed July 11, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 80B.
Power Train · 19E044000
DLT, LLC. is recalling certain CravenSpeed Fiat Short Shifter shafts sold for use in 2011-2019 Fiat 500 vehicles. The Shifter Shaft may have been improperly manufactured with a through hole for the set screw rather than a blind hole, which may lead to the breakage of the Shifter Shaft.
Risk: If the shifter breaks while the vehicle is in motion, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: DLT has notified owners, and will provide a complete replacement shifter assembly with an updated shaft, free of charge. The recall began July 24, 2019. Owners may contact DLT customer service at 1-503-505-6886.
Before you hand over money
Check the VIN for open recalls
NHTSA’s free lookup shows whether this exact car had its recall remedies completed.
Free NHTSA VIN check ↗Get a pre-purchase inspection
A $150 to $250 independent inspection of this exact 2017 Fiat 500 beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2017? See how every 500 model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2017 Fiat 500 against another car →
What owners say
Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score. If they disagree, that’s worth knowing.