The Lemon Index
201520171st generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 15,587 in the U.S. in 2016 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 12 complaints in its first 3 years.
12 owner complaints, first 3 years 24–112 MPGe combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2016 Honda Fit 582016 Toyota Yaris2016 Nissan Versa 38
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 11 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 24V474000 (tires), 19E044000 (transmission & drivetrain) and 16V667000 (equipment) done? It has 5 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?
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Fiat sent dealers 178 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Adaptive Cruise Control Sensor 1) If you are replacing this part due to the cluster displaying…”?
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 12 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 3K to 28K miles (5K to 45K km) on the car (11 of all 12 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
Car stopped while waiting at intersection for no reason in the middle of the street. Would not restart. After a period of time car started and resumed driving.
2016 Fiat 500 owner · NHTSA complaint 10915560
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 2016 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 178 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Adaptive Cruise Control Sensor 1) If you are replacing this part due to the cluster displaying…
- Front Brake Squeak/Squeal Noise This bulletin involves cleaning excessive sealant from the…
- Air Conditioning Inoperative This bulletin involves replacing the Manual Climate Control Module
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 5
- Tires · recall issued 2024
The tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) warning light may not illuminate as intended.
- 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.
- Equipment · recall issued 2016
The tire placard on the affected vehicles lists a tire inflation pressure for the spare tire that exceeds the maximum pressure listed on the sidewall.
Show all 5 recalls
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2016
The clutch diaphragm spring may fracture and fail, causing an inability to switch gears.
- Electrical · recall issued 2016
The power inverter module (PIM) may experience voltage spikes which can cause the propulsion system to shut down and loss of motive power.
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 500 Abarth 3 HB FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
Fuel cost and engines
About $650–$3,000 (USD) a year in electricity (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year).
Every Fiat 500 year. 2016 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 2016 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/fiat-500/?y=2016" 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-500/2016/">Lemon Index</a> (2016 Fiat 500 reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2016 Fiat 500 reliable?
We can't score it: only 15,587 were sold in the U.S. in 2016 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 12 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2016 Fiat 500 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (67%), electrical (25%) and brakes (25%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2016 Fiat 500 have?
5 safety recalls (latest: tires). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Is the 2016 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.
Does the 2016 Fiat 500 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 67% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2016 Fiat 500 cost in fuel a year?
About $650 to $3,000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What Fiat 500 year is better than the 2016?
Nearby, the 2013 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (a bit more than the average car's complaints).
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