The 2016 Fiat 500 is associated with 14 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 4 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database. The most frequently reported component area is Powertrain, accounting for 5 reports (36% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 12 certified vehicle configurations spanning all-electric, 1.4l 4-cyl, and 2.4l 4-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 24 to 34 MPG combined. All-electric variants deliver up to 112 MPGe with an estimated range of 84 miles.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 14 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 4 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Powertrain (5 / 36%)
- • Safety Incident Signals: 3 crash / 0 fire / 2 injury reports
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: 4 / 5 Stars
- • EPA Efficiency: 24–34 MPG (12 variants)
Data Note: Compiled directly from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.
| Variant | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Highway | Combined | EV Range | Est. Annual Fuel Cost |
| 500e 100% Electric | Electric Motor | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (A1) | 121 MPGe | 103 MPGe | 112 MPGe | 84 mi | $650 / yr |
| 500 | 1.4L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Manual 5-spd | 31 MPG | 38 MPG | 34 MPG | — | $2,250 / yr |
| 500 | 1.4L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Manual 5-spd | 28 MPG | 33 MPG | 30 MPG | — | $2,550 / yr |
| 500 Abarth | 1.4L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Manual 5-spd | 28 MPG | 33 MPG | 30 MPG | — | $2,550 / yr |
| 500 | 1.4L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic 6-spd | 27 MPG | 33 MPG | 29 MPG | — | $2,600 / yr |
| 500 X | 1.4L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 25 MPG | 33 MPG | 28 MPG | — | $2,700 / yr |
| 500 L | 1.4L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 25 MPG | 32 MPG | 28 MPG | — | $2,700 / yr |
| 500 | 1.4L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic 6-spd | 24 MPG | 32 MPG | 27 MPG | — | $2,800 / yr |
| 500 Abarth | 1.4L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic 6-spd | 24 MPG | 32 MPG | 27 MPG | — | $2,800 / yr |
| 500 X | 2.4L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 22 MPG | 30 MPG | 25 MPG | — | $2,450 / yr |
| 500 L | 1.4L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic 6-spd | 22 MPG | 30 MPG | 25 MPG | — | $3,050 / yr |
| 500 X AWD | 2.4L 4-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 21 MPG | 29 MPG | 24 MPG | — | $2,550 / yr |
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.
Electric Range & Charging: The 2016 Fiat 500 provides an official EPA-rated driving range of up to 84 miles on a single battery charge.
| Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant | Overall Rating | Frontal Crash | Side Crash | Rollover Rating | Rollover Risk |
| 3 HB FWD | | | | | 14.7% |
| BEV 3 HB FWD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | — |
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as No and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as No in official NHTSA records for tested 2016 Fiat 500 models.
View complete 2016 Fiat 500 crash test & safety breakdown →
Top Reported Problem Categories
Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA
Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.
View all 2016 Fiat 500 problems & component breakdown (10 categories) →
Affected Component: TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
Defect Summary: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Fiat 500 vehicles. The tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) warning light may not illuminate as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the TPMS electronic control unit module, free of charge. Owners were mailed July 11, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 80B.
Affected Component: POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:FLOOR SHIFT ASSEMBLY
Defect Summary: DLT, LLC. is recalling certain CravenSpeed Fiat Short Shifter shafts sold for use in 2011-2019 Fiat 500 vehicles. 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.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: DLT has notified owners, and will provide a complete replacement shifter assembly with an updated shaft, free of charge. The recall began July 24, 2019. Owners may contact DLT customer service at 1-503-505-6886.
Affected Component: EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
Defect Summary: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2016 Fiat 500 vehicles manufactured June 11, 2015, to July 27, 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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Fiat will notify owners, and dealers will add an overlay on the tire placard to the correct tire inflation information, free of charge. The recall began October 25, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-888-242-6342. Chrysler's number for this recall is S69.
View all 2016 Fiat 500 recalls & campaign history (4 campaigns) →