2013 Fiat 500E: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 16 owner complaints on record; most reports concern electrical system.
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2016
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 16 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jul 2017
“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”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2015
“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”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2014
Show 5 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2014
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2014
“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.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Dec 2013
“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”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Sep 2013
“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”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2012
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
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.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the PIM software, free of charge. The recall began on July 5, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S26.
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.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PIM, free of charge. The recall began in July 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P23.
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.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle software to ensure compatability between components, free of charge. The recall began on May 21, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R15.
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.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners and Fiat dealers will replace the fasteners attaching the half shaft inboard joints, free of charge. The recall began on September 4, 2013. Owners may contact Fiat at 1-888-242-6342. Chrysler's recall number is N51.
How other years compare
Check your exact 500E by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
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Is the 2013 Fiat 500E reliable?
NHTSA has 16 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2013 Fiat 500E. The most complained-about area is electrical system.
Does the 2013 Fiat 500E have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning electrical system:propulsion system:traction battery. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.