2013 Fiat 500E

16 complaints on file, page 1 of 1.

1. Filed Jun 25, 2019Failure Jun 16, 201942,000 milesErie, COFuel/propulsion system

   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 CAR'S POWER INVERTER. THIS REPAIR WILL COST MORE THAN THE CAR IS WORTH. THIS CAR HAD THE POWER INVERTER REPLACED BY THE SAME SHOP IN RESPONSE TO THE RECALL TO PREVENT SUDDEN POWER FAILURE. OUR EXPERIENCE WITH THE POPPING SOUND AND SUDDEN POWER LOSS IS IDENTICAL TO DESCRIPTIONS FROM OTHER OWNERS WHO HAD THE RECALL FOR THE POWER INVERTER REPLACEMENT. GLAD NO ONE WAS HURT AND THAT WE WERE NOT ON A HIGHWAY.

   NHTSA complaint 11222461
2. Filed Jul 6, 2017Failure Jul 6, 2017Austin, TXUnknown or other

   THERE IS AN EXISTING RECALL ON MY VEHICLE. I HAVE TRIED TWICE TO GET IT REPAIRED AT THE NYLE MAXWELL FIAT DEALERSHIP IN AUSTIN TEXAS. THE DEALERSHIP IS REFUSING TO MAKE THE REPAIR. THIS IS COMING FROM THE REPAIR MANAGER MR. AUSTIN MORIN.

   NHTSA complaint 11003438
3. Filed Jul 25, 2016Failure Jul 25, 201624,000 milesSanta Barbara, CAUnknown or other

   WE RECEIVED RECALL S26/NHTSA 16V-303 FOR OUR 2013 FIAT 500E. WHEN I CALLED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE CLOSEST FIAT DEALER, THE EARLIEST APPOINTMENT WAS MORE THAN FOUR WEEKS OUT. BECAUSE THERE ARE NO FIAT DEALERS NEAR WHERE I LIVE, I NEED A LOANER VEHICLE FROM THE DEALERSHIP. I'VE BROUGHT THIS CAR FOR PREVIOUS RECALLS TO THIS SPECIFIC DEALER AND HAVE ALWAYS RECEIVED EITHER A LOANER OR A RENTAL, FREE OF CHARGE. TODAY, THE SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD ME SHE CANNOT PROMISE ME A LOANER AND THAT THEY WOULD CHARGE FOR A RENTAL. THE DEALERSHIP IS FIAT OF THOUSAND OAKS AND I LIVE IN SANTA BARBARA, CA. THIS IS A HUGE WASTE OF MY TIME, BEING THAT I HAVE TO DRIVE FOR AN HOUR, USING ALL THE VEHICLE'S CHARGE, THEN HAVING TO WAIT FOR NOT ONLY THE RECALL FIX BUT FOR THE VEHICLE TO CHARGE FOR 4 HOURS IF THEY CANNOT PROVIDE ME WITH A LOANER OR A RENTAL. I BELIEVE CAR COMPANIES SHOULD BE LIABLE FOR ALL EXPENSES WHEN IT DEALS WITH RECALLS AND THAT LOANERS AND/OR RENTALS SHOULD BE AUTOMATIC. I ALSO FEEL OTHER DEALERSHIPS THAT ARE PART OF THE SAME GROUP SHOULD ALSO BE ABLE TO SERVICE CERTAIN RECALLS IF THE RECALL IS SIMPLY TO REPROGRAM OR UPDATE THE VEHICLE'S COMPUTER.

   NHTSA complaint 10888467
4. Filed Jun 1, 2015Failure Jun 20, 20142,609 milesSAN Francisco, CAElectrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Vehicle speed control

   OUR FIAT DIED THREE TIMES WITHIN A FOUR MONTH PERIOD, SPECIFICALLY ON 6/20/2014 (2,609 MILES), 8/11/2014 (3,101 MILES), AND 10/20/2014 (4,050 MILES). A "SERVICE ELECTRIC VEHICLE SYSTEM" WARNING LIGHT APPEARED EACH TIME IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CAR WOULD NOT DRIVE, STOP, OR STEER. OF THE THREE INCIDENTS, THE FINAL INCIDENT ON 10/20/2014 WAS THE MOST DANGEROUS: THE CAR DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION WHILE CROSSING TRAIN TRACKS (LIGHT-RAIL) WHILE A TRAIN WAS APPROACHING. CHRYSLER-FIAT HAS SINCE REPURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON 5/2015 PER CALIFORNIA LAW.

   NHTSA complaint 10722598
5. Filed May 18, 2015Failure May 6, 20152,000 milesRamona, CAElectrical system

   ON 1/18/2014 WE LEASED A 2013 FIAT 500E ("THE CAR")FROM KEARNY MESA FIAT. VIN [XXX]. IT HAD LESS THAN 20 MILES ON IT WHEN WE TOOK POSSESSION OF IT. ON 3/3/2014 IT WOULD NOT CHARGE GIVING ME A LARGE YELLOW INDICATOR SAYING THE ELECTRIC VEHICLE SYSTEMS WERE NOT WORKING. THIS FLASHED AND THEN DROPPED OFF THE SCREEN. ON 3/17/2014 THE SAME LIGHT ON CONSTANTLY. THE CAR WAS WITH THE DEALER FOR REPAIR UNTIL APRIL 8, 2014, FOR A TOTAL OF 22 DAYS. FIAT OFFERED, AND I ACCEPTED A CASH SETTLEMENT FOR THIS REPAIR. ON 10/3/2014 THE LIGHT RETURNED. THERE WERE 11747.4 MILES ON THE CAR. KEARNY MESA FIAT PERFORMED RECALL WORK. ON 10/11/2014 THE LIGHT ALTERNATED WITH THE TURTLE LIGHT. THEN THE CAR STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION. IT HAD 12302 MILES. ON 10/13/2014 THE DEALER IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM AS A FAILED PIM. I GAVE NOTICE I WANTED TO RETURN THE CAR. AFTER CONFIRMING I HAD NOT HIRED A LAWYER, [XXX]. FROM FIAT OFFERED TO SELL ME ANOTHER CAR FROM CHRYSLER IF I PAID AN ADDITIONAL $5000. I DECLINED. ON 10/17/2014 THE DEALER RETURNED THE CAR SAYING THE MAIN COMPUTER HAD FAILED AND BEEN REPLACED. THIS DIFFERED FROM THE 10/13 OPINION. ON 4/27/2015 (19,817 MILES)THE WARNING LIGHT RETURNED AND STAYED ON. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER (5TH TIME IN 18 MO.). SERVICE SAID TWO MODULES WERE "NOT COMMUNICATING" AND THEY REBOOTED THE COMPUTER SYSTEM. ON 5/5/2015 (20,369 MILES) THE CAR STOPPED COMPLETELY, FLASHING THE SERVICE PROPULSION SYSTEM LIGHT. IT STOPPED AND PUT ITSELF INTO PARK WHILE I WAS ON HWY 67. CARS WERE DRIVING AT ME AT 60 MPH FROM 3 DIRECTIONS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10717170
6. Filed Mar 19, 2015Failure Oct 15, 20145,000 milesCambridge, MAElectrical system

   TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FIAT 500E. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V235000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SCHEDULE A RECALL REPAIR SEVERAL TIMES AND THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE CONTACT HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO CALIFORNIA TO HAVE THE REPAIR PERFORMED BECAUSE IT WAS AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE WITH THE VENT CONTROLS AND THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT HAD TO MAKE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO GET THE VEHICLE REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER DID NOT MENTION THIS TO THE CONTACT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE CONTACT RELOCATED TO ANOTHER STATE, THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO SCHEDULE A RECALL APPOINTMENT WITHIN A REASONABLE TIMEFRAME. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.

   NHTSA complaint 10695434
7. Filed Mar 16, 2015Failure Mar 8, 201510,679 milesSanta Clara, CAElectrical system, Fuel/propulsion system

   WHILE SLOWING TO TAKE A RIGHT HAND TURN THE CAR JERKED BACK AND HAD MOVED ITSELF FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL. IMMEDIATELY THE "SERVICE ELECTRIC VEHICLE SYSTEM" LIGHT CAME ON AND MADE A LOUD NOISE. I STOPPED, BUT WAS UNABLE TO MOVE THE CAR BACK INTO DRIVE. THE CAR WOULD NOT REVERSE EITHER. ONLY PARK OR NEUTRAL WERE WORKING. I WAS FORCED TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND HAD SOMEONE GET OUT AND PUSH THE CAR SO WE COULD MOVE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO FIAT DEALER WHERE THEY INDICATED IT WAS A GLITCH IN THE SOFTWARE AND THAT IT WAS FIXED WITH A SOFTWARE UPDATE "RRT 15-001". EXACTLY ONE WEEK LATER THE SAME INCIDENT HAS OCCURRED, AND THE CAR IS BEING TOWED AGAIN TO THE DEALERSHIP. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10694648
8. Filed Nov 15, 2014Failure Oct 10, 20145,100 milesFair Oaks, CAElectrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system

   FIAT 500 E (ELECTRIC ENGINE) WAS FULLY CHARGED. STARTED CAR AND BACKED OUT OF DRIVEWAY. HEADED DOWN RESIDENTIAL STREET AT APPROXIMATELY 25MPH. WITHIN 1/8 MILE, "SERVICE ELECTRICAL VEHICLE SYSTEM" WARNING LIGHT CAME UP. CAR STARTED TO LOSE POWER, BUT WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER BEFORE CAR STOPPED. CAR WOULD START, SHOW WARNING LIGHT, BUT COULD NOT BE PUT INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE TO BE DRIVEN. WAS ABLE TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND PUSH IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HAD TOWED (FLAT BED) TO FIAT DEALER - WHERE CAR RESTARTED WITHOUT PROBLEM. FIAT DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. KEPT CAR FOR ONE WEEK, TESTED FOR 100+ MILES. TOLD ME "CORPORATE" KNEW OF THE PROBLEM AND WAS WORKING ON A "SOFTWARE FIX" - BUT TO TAKE THE CAR HOME AND DRIVE IT. THIS CAR HAS BEEN PART OF A FIAT RECALL (WORK COMPLETED TWO MONTHS PRIOR) TO PREVENT THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM. DID NOT HAVE THE PROBLEM BEFORE THE RECALL. SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED IN A FRIEND'S 2014 FIAT 500 E TONIGHT - EXACT SAME WAY - WITH ENGINE POWER FAILING WHILE CAR IS IN MOTION - WITH JUST BARELY ENOUGH TIME TO GET OUT OF TRAFFIC LANE. THIS FRIEND'S VEHICLE HAD ALSO HAD THE RECALL COMPLETED A MONTH PRIOR. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED BY OTHER OWNERS ON THE INTERNET AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE A CAR FAILS IN MOVING TRAFFIC RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10655154
9. Filed Nov 2, 2014Failure Oct 12, 20143,111 milesWalnut Creek, CAUnknown or other

   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 SEEKING DAMAGES UNDER CIVIL CODE SECTION 1790. FURTHER, UNDER THE CA "LEMON LAW" GUIDE (1): "THE SAME PROBLEM RESULTS IN A CONDITION THAT IS LIKELY TO CAUSE DEATH OR SERIOUS BODILY INJURY IF THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN AND THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN SUBJECT TO REPAIR TWO OR MORE TIMES BY THE MANUFACTURER OR ITS AGENTS." THE RECALL EXPLICITLY STATES THAT A DEFECT IN THE POWER INVERTER CONSTITUTES A CONDITION THAT "IS LIKELY TO CAUSE DEATH OR SERIOUS BODILY INJURY IF THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN..." THE CHRYSLER RECALL STATES THAT THE PROBLEM IS: "THE POWER INVERTER MODULE (PIM) ON YOUR VEHICLE MAY CONTAIN COOLING PLATES THAT LEAK COOLANT INTO AREAS OF HIGH-VOLTAGE CIRCUITRY. THIS CAN RESULT IN AN OVERCURRENT ELECTRICAL CONDITION, WHICH WILL CAUSE THE HIGH-VOLTAGE BATTERY MANUAL SERVICE DISCONNECT FUSE TO OPEN. AN OPEN HIGH-VOLTAGE BATTERY MANUAL SERVICE DISCONNECT FUSE WILL CAUSE A LOSS OF VEHICLE PROPULSION AND COULD CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING." *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10651956
10. Filed Sep 15, 2014Failure Jul 4, 2014150 milesClovis, CAElectrical system, Engine

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FIAT 500E. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SENSOR BEGAN FLASHING AND REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE SENSOR ILLUMINATED WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS FULLY CHARGED, HALFWAY CHARGED, OR LOW. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE LOCAL AUTHORIZED DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, BUT NO REMEDY WAS PROVIDED. THE CONTACT WAS LATER INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V235000 (ENGINE). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR MONTHS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE SENSOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED AND THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150.

    NHTSA complaint 10633337
11. Filed Aug 18, 2014Failure Jul 1, 2012Lafayette, CAElectrical system

    I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE INFORMING ME THAT MY 2013 FIAT 500E WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE UNTIL THE POWER INVERTER MODULE (PIM) WAS FIXED. I CALLED CONCORD OF FIAT PER THE RECALL NOTICE TO ORDER THE PART, THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY ARE ABLE TO ORDER ONLY ONE PIM PART PER WEEK. DUE TO THIS THEY ARE BACKED UP "FOR MONTHS" AND CAN NOT GIVE ME A DATE THAT MY PART WILL COME IN, NOR A DATE THAT MY CAR WILL BE FIXED. FOR OVER SIX WEEKS I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO SAFELY DRIVE MY CAR. I HAVE FILED A CLAIM WITH FIAT. THEY ARE UNWILLING TO COMPENSATE ME FOR MY LOSS. I CONTINUE TO REMAIN UP-TO-DATE WITH MY LEASE PAYMENTS. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10626075
12. Filed Aug 13, 2014Failure Aug 13, 20144,000 milesRedwood City, CAElectrical system

    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 MANNER RISKING THE SAFETY OF ITS CUSTOMERS! *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10622095
13. Filed Aug 7, 2014Failure Jul 7, 20148,000 milesOrinda, CAEngine

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FIAT 500E. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND LOST POWER ON FOUR OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE ABS AND THE ESC WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000.

    NHTSA complaint 10620706
14. Filed Feb 4, 2014Failure Dec 16, 20132,400 milesNEW Almaden, CAPower train

    THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH "AUTO-PARK". IF THE DRIVER'S DOOR IS OPENED AND SEAT BELT UNBUCKLED IT AUTOMATICALLY ENGAGES PARK. SEEMS LIKE A GOOD IDEA, EXCEPT: IT DOES THIS ALSO IF THE KEY IS TURNED OFF-- WHILE STILL MOVING!!!!! OR IF ROLLING BACK OR FORWARD SLIGHTLY ON AN INCLINE AS I ENGAGE THE PARKING BRAKE TO BEGIN TO LEAVE VEHICLE TO ATTEND TO A GATE ON MY HILLY DRIVEWAY. THIS OCCURS SO SUDDENLY IT CAN LAUNCH OCCUPANTS FORWARD INTO THE INSTRUMENT PANEL! (MY WIFE AND I TYPICALLY DO NOT RE-BELT TO MOVE 15 FEET TO CLOSE THE GATE). ACCORDING TO FIAT CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THE DEALER SAY THIS CANNOT BE DEPROGRAMMED. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND SOMEONE WILL BE HURT, OR AN ACCIDENT COULD OCCUR IF THE KEY WAS TURNED OFF WHILE MOVING DUE TO A THROTTLE OR OTHER DEFECT. YOUR FORM IS FREAKY ABOUT ACCEPTING THE AFFECTED PARTS! *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10562971
15. Filed Dec 16, 2013Failure Dec 11, 20132,435 milesSelinas, CAService brakes

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FIAT 500E. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, HE FELT AN EXCESSIVE VIBRATION IN THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME EXTREMELY SENSITIVE WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO DECELERATE EXCESSIVELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THERE WAS A COMMUNICATION ISSUE WITH THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,435.

    NHTSA complaint 10556215
16. Filed Nov 25, 2013Failure Sep 3, 2013550 milesAltadena, CAAir bags, Electronic stability control (esc), BodyCrash1 injured

    NEW CAR ROLLED AS I SWERVED AND STRUCK A PARKED TRUCK. GOING ONLY 27 MPH THE CAR THEN ROLLED OVER, THE ROOF CRASHED. NO SUDDEN MOMENTS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. NO AIR BAGS WENT OFF BUT GLASS IN THE WINDSHIELD AND ROOF SHATTERED. DRIVER THROWN INTO PASSENGER SEAT AND RECEIVED CUTS AND BRUISES. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10553656