The Lemon Index
201220141st generation
Worse than average · most complaints: transmission & drivetrain
71 owner complaints, first 3 years 29–116 MPGe combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2013 Honda Fit 1772013 Toyota Yaris 232013 Nissan Versa 49
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2013 Fiat 500
- Engine stalling12 complaintsmostly at 8,000–59,000 miles (13,000–95,000 km)
- Throttle body / loss of power9 complaintsmostly at 4,000–35,000 miles (6,400–56,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 182 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2013 Fiat 500 (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 4,600 and 24,000 miles (7,400–39,000 km) (the middle half of the 53 complaints, of all 71 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 19V817000 (transmission & drivetrain), 19E044000 (transmission & drivetrain) and 16V302000 (transmission & drivetrain) done? It has 4 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Fiat sent dealers 163 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Fiat's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 71 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 4K to 24K miles (7K to 39K km) on the car (53 of all 71 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Tech found transmission leaking and sealed with epoxy. Second leak was unaware a repair had been made until I returned car to dealer for a leak found my oil can henry's
2013 Fiat 500 owner · NHTSA complaint 10717395
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 21.5M views · 2012–2019 Fiat 500
Most-watched topics
- Infotainment, battery & electrical147K views
Battery Replacement on Fiat 500 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016World Mechanics · 147K views - Gauges, lights & wiring92K views
How to Turn Daylight Running Lights OFF on Fiat 500 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016World Mechanics · 92K views - Transmission & shifter88K views
2012-15 Fiat 500 Automatic Transmission Fluid Change/Adding Fluid EASY Tutorial (don't waste time)6yap2 · 44K views · 3 videos - Brakes & ABS82K views
How to Replace Front Brake Pads & Rotors on a Fiat 500 (2012-2019)Brake The Bank Garage · 39K views · 3 videos
Show 3 more
- Heat, A/C & blend door67K views
Fiat 500 - Cabin Air Filter Replacement - 2012-2019MINUTE DIY VIDEOS · 55K views · 2 videos - Timing chain & engine65K views
2012 Fiat 500 Misfire Diagnosis and Fix - P0202 P0302Super Mario Diagnostics · 65K views - No-start: theft light, key & ignition38K views
No Start 2012 Fiat 500 | Easy FixJourney Along With Shannon · 38K views
Before you buy, watch
Fiat 500 Abarth hatchback 2014 review - CarbuyerCarbuyer · 646K views
Fiat 500 hatchback 2015 review - CarbuyerCarbuyer · 355K views
2012 fiat 500 sport hatchback lock problemsgpfreak1 · 55K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2013 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Fiat told dealers about
Fiat sent dealers 163 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination
- Loss Of Communications With Convergence Telematics Module (CTM) This Bulletin involves…
- Adaptive Cruise Control Sensor 1) If you are replacing this part due to the cluster displaying…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 4
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2019
The shifter cable bushing may fail allowing the cable to detach from the transmission.
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2019
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.
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2016
The clutch diaphragm spring may fracture and fail, causing an inability to switch gears.
Show all 4 recalls
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2015
The Electric Vehicle Control Unit (EVCU) of the affected vehicles may set a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) that may cause the transmission to unexpectedly shift to neutral.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedPedestrian alert sounds2023
- ClosedElectrical overstress2019–2024
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiat 500 3 HB FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Fiat 500C 2 DR FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
Fuel cost and engines
About $650–$2,600 (USD) a year in electricity (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year).
Every Fiat 500 year. 2013 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 4 Fiat 500 years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2013 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/fiat-500/?y=2013" title="Fiat 500 reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="307" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/fiat-500/2013/">Lemon Index</a> (2013 Fiat 500 reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2013 Fiat 500 reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew a bit more than the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 129; 100 is average, lower is better).
What are the most common 2013 Fiat 500 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (37%), electrical (15%) and engine (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2013 Fiat 500 have?
4 safety recalls (latest: transmission & drivetrain). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Is the 2013 Fiat 500 safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2013 Fiat 500 problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 4,600 and 24,000 miles (7,400–39,000 km) (the middle half of the 53 complaints, of all 71 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2013 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2013 Fiat 500 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 37% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2013 Fiat 500 cost in fuel a year?
About $650 to $2,600 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
Is there a better Fiat 500 year than the 2013?
Not nearby: the 2013 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Fiat 500 years within 3 model years of it.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works