Fiat 500 X transmission and drivetrain problems, 2016–2018
54 of the 180 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Fiat 500 X 2016–2018 name the transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA’s “Power Train” heading — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading). The loudest years: 2016 (50), 2018 (4). Filed under the same heading across these years: 1 manufacturer bulletin, 1 recall campaign. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Fiat 500 X transmission and drivetrain problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the transmission and drivetrain | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 4 | 36% | — | 9 TSBs | the year → |
| 2017 | 0 | — | — | 12 TSBs | the year → |
| 2016 in depth | 50 | 32% | 39k | 48 TSBs · 1 recall | the record → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the transmission and drivetrain. Nothing here is a rate.
When the transmission and drivetrain complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2016: 2 · 2017: 7 · 2018: 5 · 2019: 8 · 2020: 12 · 2021: 3 · 2022: 4 · 2023: 3 · 2024: 6 · 2025: 1 · 2026: 3
Across the model years, half of the 38 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 27,000 and 70,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the transmission and drivetrain, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
When driving on any kind of train, straight ground or hills, especially when accelerating, the engine or transmission slips into neutral mode and suddenly kicks back into drive mode. The car lunges forward and it feels like the transmission is slipping.
While driving and slowing to a stop the transmission will shift into 1st early creating a jump or surge while slowing. The only way to stop this from occurring is to switch to manual shifting and down shift manually when almost to a complete stop
I purchased my 2018 Fiat 500X POP used in April 2023 with only 22k miles. This past weekend 12/16 when I would first start my car up and get ready to leave in the mornings after having been parked for the night, my car would start up normal and I could proceed down the street.
There is an active recall for the power train control module for this car but it is not showing up in the NHTSA list. We just bought this car from CARMAX and looks like this campaign recall fix was not listed on the site so they didn't address it and now the car wont work or run.
What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaign filed under this heading, any model year
- 16V529000 HighJul 12, 2016 · 329,540 vehicles
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Jeep Cherokee and 2015 Chrysler 200, Jeep Renegade, RAM ProMaster, and 2016 Fiat 500X vehicles equipped with 9-speed automatic transmissions. The transmission sensor clusters may have insufficient crimps in the transmission wire harness, and as a result, the transmission may unexpectedly shift to neutral. On August 29, 2016 Chrysler added the 2016 Fiat 500X vehicles to this recall.
1 manufacturer bulletin filed under this heading, any model year
- Oct 2, 2025
- 948TE Transmission Reaction Shaft Service Bushing Kit Customers may experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination and the vehicle may exhibit/set the following Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC): ● P1DB7-00 - Torque Converter Clutch Performance.
Every one filed under the heading is listed. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Other systems with a record on the Fiat 500 X
Source: the same filesEvery system, every model year: Fiat 500 X problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Fiat 500 X years have the most transmission and drivetrain complaints?
2016, 50; 2018, 4. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2018 (36%).
Is there a recall for the transmission and drivetrain on the Fiat 500 X?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading across these model years: 16V529000 (2016). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do transmission and drivetrain problems show up on the Fiat 500 X?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 38,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 27,000 and 70,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Power Train" heading cover?
The transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.