2014-2020 Fiat 500L Reliability Score: 2.8 out of 10

208 NHTSA Complaints

4 Recalls

5 Fire Reports

5 Crash Reports

Reliability Score

2.8 / 10

Reliability score

Many more complaints of failed or replaced engines and transmissions than similar compact sedans

A score of 7.0 means as many complaints as similar vehicles. Based on complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the engine, transmission or drivetrain.

Model years differ: 2014 scores 2.5, 2015 scores 5.6. By model year

Complaints of a failed or replaced engine, transmission or drive unit run well above similar vehicles and pull this score down.

Owners filed 148 powertrain complaints. A typical compact sedan fleet of this size and age would have drawn about 36.

Scores this low have often eased: the three years after looked about 2.0 points better in the typical case.

Covers the 2014 to 2019 model years only (the generation ran 2014 to 2020).

Breakdown

Complaints overall148 complaints against about 36 for similar vehicles

3.2

Last three years

n/aNot enough data

Engine, transmission or drive unit failed or replaced51 complaints against about 7 for similar vehicles

2.2

Oil consumption, fuel in the oil or overheating

n/aNot enough data

Each line scores one view of the same complaints the same way, so the lines overlap. The mark on each bar is 7.0, as many complaints as similar vehicles. A line shows a number once similar vehicles would draw at least 5 of its complaints (20 for the last three years).

What owners describe

Of the 51 complaints of a failed or replaced engine, transmission or drive unit, 50 describe a failed or replaced transmission; 1 describes a failed or replaced engine. One complaint can describe more than one.

“Car will not shift into gear automatic transmissions will not shift readily out of park and won’t go into park sometimes. The transmissions does not receive, or is slow to receive, an intended gear selection. Vehicle came to a complete stop while driving. Get message there is no…” 2014 model year

By model year

20142.5
20155.6
2016n/a
2017n/a
2018n/a
2019n/a

Similar vehicles are others in the same class, compared at the same age and in the same years. The score counts complaints owners filed with NHTSA, per vehicle built, which is different from the share of vehicles that fail. How the score is worked out

On the record

No serious powertrain recall covering 5% or more of this generation and no escalated investigation in NHTSA's files. Warranty extensions and settlements have not been researched.

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.

330A1047

1.4L 4-cyl Turbo / 165 hp

197 complaints 49.2 per year Gasoline

5 fire reports

View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission

127

electrical

engine

other

safety systems

Same engine used in

FIAT 500 (2012-2019)

Fiat 500L Unidentified Engine

10 complaints 5.0 per year

View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission

other

safety systems

fuel system

engine

Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data

These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints. A low count can mean a clean record, and it can also be a VIN-decode anomaly in NHTSA's data.

1.4-I4-Gas

1.4L 4-cyl

1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline

View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine

Owner Complaints by System

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Fiat 500L, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.

Transmission: 130 owner complaints

Electrical System: 34 owner complaints

Engine: 33 owner complaints

Safety Systems: 14 owner complaints

Steering: 11 owner complaints

What to check on a used 2014-2020 Fiat 500L

On a used 2014-2020 Fiat 500L, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the transmission and drivetrain (130), the electrical system (34) and the engine (33). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-08. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 130 owner complaints on the 2014-2020 Fiat 500L about the transmission and drivetrain.
Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 34 owner complaints on the 2014-2020 Fiat 500L about the electrical system.
Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 33 owner complaints on the 2014-2020 Fiat 500L about the engine.
Switch the ignition on and watch the airbag light. On the drive, check the backup camera and any collision or lane warning.Safety. NHTSA has 14 owner complaints on the 2014-2020 Fiat 500L about the airbags and driver-assist systems.
Turn the wheel from lock to lock while parked, then drive straight on a level road with a light grip.Safety. NHTSA has 11 owner complaints on the 2014-2020 Fiat 500L about the steering.

Open the full inspection checklist for the 2014-2020 Fiat 500L

Recalls (4)

17V192000Mar 21, 2017serious

Powertrain

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014 Fiat 500L vehicles. The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software calibration maybe incorrect, limiting the engine to idle speed and torque even when accelerator pedal is fully pressed.

15V590000Sep 23, 2015serious

Air Bags

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2015 Fiat 500L vehicles manufactured April 23, 2015, to May 10, 2015. The affected vehicles may be equipped with a passenger frontal air bag that was not folded properly during the assembly process. As a result, the air bag may not deploy as designed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

14V481000Aug 6, 2014serious

Air Bags

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Fiat 500L vehicles manufactured March 3, 2012, to July 25, 2014. Irregularities in the folding process during assembly of the driver's knee airbag may result in its improper deployment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

14V103000Mar 4, 2014serious

Powertrain

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2014 Fiat 500L vehicles manufactured April 5, 2013, through January 22, 2014. In certain temperatures, moving the transmission shift lever may have a delayed effect or no effect on selecting a transmission gear.

Alternatives in Compact Sedan

2 engines / 1,029 complaints

3 engines / 16 complaints

4 engines / 62 complaints

Lexus

2014-2025

9.5/10

5 engines / 177 complaints

4 engines / 109 complaints

1 engine / 285 complaints

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2014-2020 Fiat 500L complaints?

Owners have filed 208 complaints with NHTSA about the 2014-2020 Fiat 500L. The systems they name most often are the transmission, the electrical system and the engine.

Is the 2014-2020 Fiat 500L 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 208 complaints with NHTSA about the 2014-2020 Fiat 500L. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2014-2020 Fiat 500L have?

NHTSA has 208 owner complaints on file for the 2014-2020 Fiat 500L 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 2014-2020 Fiat 500L?

NHTSA lists 4 recalls covering some 2014-2020 Fiat 500L 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 500L?

Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the transmission, the electrical 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 500L have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2014-2020 Fiat 500L. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 208 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-18.