500E (2013)
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
Every complaint of any kind (brakes, airbags, electrical and the rest) whose VIN names the engine, across all model years. The score above counts only engine, transmission and drivetrain complaints, so its figures for the same engine are smaller. Fire, injury and death figures count complaints that report one.
Fiat 500E Unidentified Engine
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Complaint Breakdown
Battery & Propulsion Reliability
Battery Electric (BEV)
Battery & propulsion complaint analysis for the 2013 Fiat 500E
Too few battery-related complaints to set against other electric vehicles yet.
What kind of battery complaint?
What the 3 battery-related complaints describe. One complaint can name more than one of these, so the shares add up to more than 100%. They describe what owners complained about, not how often the vehicle fails.
Loss of power, drive unit, inverter, traction motor, DC-DC converter.
Propulsion battery defects, capacity loss, BMS faults, replacement claims.
Battery & propulsion recalls (3)
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Fiat 500e vehicles manufactured March 22, 2012, to January 29, 2016. The power inverter module (PIM) may experience voltage spikes which can cause the propulsion system to shut down and loss of motive power.
Consequence: Loss of motive power can increase the risk of a crash.
Chrysler Group, LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Fiat 500e Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV) vehicles manufactured September 24, 2012, through April 4, 2014. The affected vehicles have cooling plates for the Power Inverter Module (PIM) that may leak coolant into areas of the high voltage circuitry, resulting a short circuit that could cause the related service fuse to blow.
Consequence: If the service fuse blows, the vehicle would have a loss of propulsion while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Fiat 500 EV vehicles manufactured March 27, 2012, to November 1, 2014. If the vehicle goes in to limp home mode, incompatible software between Electric Vehicle Control Unit (EVCU) and Battery Pack Control Module (BPCM) may cause the electric propulsion system to fully shut down.
Consequence: An electric propulsion system shut down will cause a stall-like condition, increasing the risk of a crash.
Sample complaint excerpts
Electric Propulsion
- [2013] AS WE PULLED AWAY FROM A STOP SIGN IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD, THE CAR MADE A LOUD POPPING SOUND AND LOST POWER TO THE DRIVE SYSTEM. THE DASHBOARD IMMEDIATELY DISPLAYED A "PROPULSION SYSTEM WARNING" MESSAGE AND COULD NO LONGER BE DRIVEN. THE CAR WAS TOWED (FLAT BED) TO A DEALER FOR REPAIR. AFTER A WEEK, AND THE DEALER'S TECHS TALKING WITH TECHNICIANS IN DETROIT, DETROIT SUGGESTED REPLACING THE
- [2013] THIS IS A FOLLOW UP TO MY FIRST COMPLAINT, FILED ON 07/01/14. ON 08/16/14 MY FIAT WAS TOWED FOR THE 3RD TIME TO CONCORD OF FIAT. THE FIRST TIME THE POWER INVERTER MODULE WAS REPLACED (RECALL), THE SECOND TIME THE BODY CONTROL MODULE WAS REPLACED, THE THIRD TIME THE POWER INVERTER MODULE (RECALL) WAS REPLACED, FOR THE SECOND TIME. I HAVE CONTACTED THE CHRYSLER ARBITRATION DEPARTMENT. I WILL BE
- [2013] FIAT INITIATED RECALL LETTER WAS RECEIVED JULY 10TH. LETTER STATED TO CONTACT THE DEALER FOR REPLACEMENT PARTS AFTER JULY 21ST. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AUGUST 13TH AND THERE IS NO ESTIMATED TIME FOR WHEN THE DEFECT WILL BE FIXED. THE DEFECT CAN CAUSE SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND RESULT IN SEVER ACCIDENTS. I FIND IT NEGLIGENT OF FIAT/CHRYSLER BEING UNABLE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM IN A TIMELY MANN
Source: classified from NHTSA complaint and recall data. "Battery-related" includes high-voltage propulsion battery, charging system, hybrid drivetrain, electric propulsion, regenerative braking, 12V auxiliary battery, and thermal-event complaints. Other complaints (suspension, steering, brakes, infotainment) appear in the engine and vehicle-level sections. The rate divides those complaints by the electrified versions built, from the production counts makers report to NHTSA, and it is not adjusted for age. Death and injury figures count complaints that report one, not the number an owner typed in.
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Fiat 500E, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
Recalls (4)
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Fiat 500e vehicles manufactured March 22, 2012, to January 29, 2016. The power inverter module (PIM) may experience voltage spikes which can cause the propulsion system to shut down and loss of motive power.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Fiat 500 EV vehicles manufactured March 27, 2012, to November 1, 2014. If the vehicle goes in to limp home mode, incompatible software between Electric Vehicle Control Unit (EVCU) and Battery Pack Control Module (BPCM) may cause the electric propulsion system to fully shut down.
Chrysler Group, LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Fiat 500e Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV) vehicles manufactured September 24, 2012, through April 4, 2014. The affected vehicles have cooling plates for the Power Inverter Module (PIM) that may leak coolant into areas of the high voltage circuitry, resulting a short circuit that could cause the related service fuse to blow.
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2013 Fiat 500e electric vehicles manufactured December 16, 2012, through August 13, 2013. The half shaft joints may loosen and separate causing noise and a loss of driving capability.
Alternatives in Compact Sedan
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2013-2013 Fiat 500E complaints?
Owners have filed 16 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013-2013 Fiat 500E. The systems they name most often are the electrical system, the fuel system and the engine.
Is the 2013-2013 Fiat 500E a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 16 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013-2013 Fiat 500E. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2013-2013 Fiat 500E have?
NHTSA has 16 owner complaints on file for the 2013-2013 Fiat 500E as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2013-2013 Fiat 500E?
NHTSA lists 4 recalls covering some 2013-2013 Fiat 500E vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used Fiat 500E?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the electrical system, the fuel system and the engine, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.
Does the 500E have NHTSA crash test ratings?
NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2013 Fiat 500E. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 16 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: low. Last updated: 2026-10-18.