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2016 Fiat 500

Gas
Minicompact Cars
6 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
C
Safety Signal
76 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns3
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA14
Crash ratingNHTSA overall4★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA34 mpg
20232022202120202019201820172016

The 2016 Fiat 500 is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact car with 6 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the 500, is EPA-rated at 34 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of C. Owners have filed 14 complaints, most often about the power train. NHTSA crash-tested it at 4 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
500GasFWD1.4L 4-cyl313834$2,300
500GasFWD1.4L 4-cyl turbo283330$2,600
500 AbarthGasFWD1.4L 4-cyl turbo283330$2,600
500GasFWD1.4L 4-cyl273329$2,650
500GasFWD1.4L 4-cyl turbo243227$2,850
500 AbarthGasFWD1.4L 4-cyl turbo243227$2,850

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 36839, 36840, 36842, 36837, 36838, 36841.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2016 Fiat 500 is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (3)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Tires

80B
12,675 vehicles
ProblemChrysler (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."RiskA TPMS warning light that fails to illuminate can result in the vehicle being driven with improperly inflated tires, increasing the risk of a crash.FixDealers 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.
NHTSA campaign 24V474000reported Jun 25, 2024Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
▲high

Tires

S69
32 vehicles
ProblemChrysler (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."RiskIf the spare tire is used while overinflated, the tire may suddenly fail, increasing the risk of a crash.FixFiat 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.
NHTSA campaign 16V667000reported Sep 15, 2016Chrysler (FCA US LLC)
▲high

Power Train

S34
39,185 vehicles
ProblemChrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2012-2016 Fiat 500 vehicles manufactured June 21, 2010, through January 12, 2016, equipped with a manual transmission. The clutch diaphragm spring may fracture and fail, causing an inability to switch gears.RiskIf the clutch diaphragm spring fails, the driver may not be able to shift gears or the vehicle may lose motive power, increasing the risk of a crash.FixThe remedy for this recall will include the installation of a clutch pedal limiter and a clutch pedal switch. The recall began on November 10, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S34.
NHTSA campaign 16V302000reported May 16, 2016Chrysler (FCA US LLC)

NHTSA defect investigations

Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control Module — Electrical overstress closed

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect.  During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manufactured by ZF-TRW.  The ECU receives signals from crash sensors mounted in the vehicle and deploys the vehicle air bags and seat belt pretensioners in accordance with

Opened Apr 19, 2019 · closed Sep 19, 2024 · action EA19001

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
14complaints filed

3 involved a crash · 0 a fire · 2 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2015: 1 · 2016: 2 · 2017: 2 · 2018: 2 · 2019: 3 · 2020: 1 · 2022: 1 · 2023: 1 · 2025: 1

Most-cited components

Power Train9
Engine3
Electrical System3
Service Brakes3
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)2
Air Bags2

What owners describe

“El auto se detuvo sin avisar solo ya no quiso acelerar. Me marcó muchas fallas en las cuales les tomé foto, me tuvieron que remolcar y mi hijo se pegó en la cabeza, por suerte nada grave. Pondre las fotos de los códigos que aparecen. Tuve q ser remolcado hasta ahorita la batería sigue en un 47% pero aún así sigu…”May 22, 2025 · Electrical System · NHTSA owner report
“The contact owns a 2016 Fiat 500. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the transmission was slipping, and the vehicle lost motive power. No warning light was illuminated. The failure recurred several times. The contact restarted the vehicle and forcefully shifted the transmission into 2nd gear to prevent losing mot…”Jul 12, 2023 · Power Train · NHTSA owner report
“Passenger side drive axle failed on 2016 500e with only 35650 miles but no longer under warranty. Method of failure: Bolts holding axle to transmission sheered resulting in a loss of power. Car was brought to Orange County Chrysler for repair. Dealer informed me that there was a Chrysler Recall N51 for 2013 Fiat 500e f…”May 13, 2022 · Power Train · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
3 HB FWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆15%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Other 500 model years

A

2023 Fiat 500

1 recalls · 0 complaints

A

2022 Fiat 500

1 recalls · 2 complaints

A

2021 Fiat 500

1 recalls · 0 complaints

B

2020 Fiat 500

2 recalls · 2 complaints

B

2019 Fiat 500

3 recalls · 3 complaints

A

2018 Fiat 500

1 recalls · 5 complaints

A

2017 Fiat 500

1 recalls · 13 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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