The Lemon Index
2018Too new: partial score · still collecting complaints
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 970 in the U.S. in 2024 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 5 complaints in its first 3 years.
5 owner complaints, first 3 years 110–116 MPGe combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
When problems show up
No complaints for this year listed a mileage, so we can't say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 25V715000 (lights) and 24V510000 (airbags) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Has it ever braked hard for no reason? Ask whether the safety-system software was updated.
- Any fuel smell, stalling or hard starts? On a hybrid or EV, any reduced-power warning or battery work?
- Fiat sent dealers 16 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Start Stop Charging Warning Lamp Illuminated On, Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS) State of…”?
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 5 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 →
Problems Fiat told dealers about
Fiat sent dealers 16 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Start Stop Charging Warning Lamp Illuminated On, Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS) State of…
- Level 2 Charging Disrupted by Vehicle Falling Asleep Customers may comment on the following:…
- Wheel Hub Cap Installation
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 2
- Lights · recall issued 2025
The headlight horizontal aim adjustment is not covered as intended, which can result in improperly adjusted headlights.
- Airbags · recall issued 2024
A seat belt buckle switch sensor may be improperly connected, preventing the front seat air bag from deploying as intended.
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
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiat 500e 3 HB FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
Fuel cost and engines
About $650–$700 (USD) a year in electricity (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year).
Every Fiat 500 year. 2024 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 2024 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/fiat-500/?y=2024" 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-500/2024/">Lemon Index</a> (2024 Fiat 500 reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2024 Fiat 500 reliable?
We can't score it: only 970 were sold in the U.S. in 2024 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 5 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2024 Fiat 500 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (40%), automatic emergency braking (40%) and fuel or electric drive system (20%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2024 Fiat 500 have?
2 safety recalls (latest: lights). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Does the 2024 Fiat 500 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 20% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2024 Fiat 500 cost in fuel a year?
About $650 to $700 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What Fiat 500 year is better than the 2024?
No year within 3 model years of it drew fewer complaints. Across every year, 2013 drew the fewest (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