There are 31 owner-reported electrical system complaints for the 2016 Fiat 500Xin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
I am writing to you in regard to my 2016 FIAT 500X about multiple concerns. 1. There has been an open recall on the Emissions system since 2022. I immediately followed up and was put on a waitlist as I was told that the parts were on back order. I was told I was 27 on the waitlist. I followed up every 3-6 months for an update on getting the recall repaired but was told they have no update on the parts. It is now 2025 and my registration and inspection are expired. I was informed by FIAT service mechanic that the open recall should not impact my inspection. Upon bringing it in for inspection, I needed to get the thermostat replaced, which was one of the first recalls that was rectified upon purchasing the car in 2017. My car failed inspection. I followed up with FIAT corporate and was assigned a case manager who followed up as well unable to rectify the situation. Now my car is unsafe to drive, I have gotten a ticket for expired inspection . I told the officer that there is an open recall and that I am at the mercy of FIAT. Secondly since I purchased the car I have brought it back multiple times, expressing concern that the car lags when you press the gas. If I am merging on the the highway and I am going 30mph the RPM will struggle to go over 3 in order for the car to accelerate and then it falls to 1-2 RPM. Attached are numerous photos of my constant communication of presenting issues. The entire electrical system will turn on and off on its own. Error I have gotten speeding tickets always when trying to switch lanes or am preparing for the exist because I have to compensate for the lag otherwise I will get smashed by another car. When driving 25-40 mph the engine will make a humming sound as if it is stuck in a gear. So my options are 50+ or 25 or less. Living in NY this is very difficult. I have even advocated that I believe my car is apart of the 2016 transmission recall on my particular make and model. My car is unsafe to drive and I need some guidance
Radio unit failed due to internal short which prevents the blind spot alert, parking sensors and backup camera to no longer function. Fiat no longer manufacturers the replacement part (P/N: 6RV00LXHAA) and states vehicle is not repairable. Car is less than 10 years old and has 25k miles but can no longer be safely operated due to the failed safety systems. Other than this issue car is essentially like new and could provide another decade of use but instead must be added to the overflowing landfills creating yet more pollution. Vehicle manufacturers should be held accountable for such egregious behavior.
April 2023 - While driving at ~ 35mph multiple warning light on the dashboard came on, (including traction control, AWD needs service, drive mode unavailable, emergency brake and several others) the speedometer stopped working (both the digital and analog) and a sluggish sensation was immediate (like the brakes were applied rapidly.) The car was stopped and further investigation showed that the rear brake lights were on, seemingly indicating that the brakes were engaged while the car was in park, with no one in the vehicle. The car would not shut off. The car was taken to the dealership where over 30 codes were reported. 2 sensors were replaced (one brake sensor and the traction sensor) and the dealership reported that multiple updates were performed in the 2 weeks that they had the car. Five weeks after getting the car back from the dealership the SAME condition occurred on the highway at 55mph, in a construction zone with no ability to pull off. After reaching an area where it was safe to pull off, a restart of the car (by disconnecting the battery) had all of the lights going off and the brakes functioning normally. The car was driven straight to the dealership where the issues happened again. The car now has 43 codes. They replaced the HCU/ABS module, which did not fix the issue. The car has been in the service department for 3 weeks without discovering the cause of the lights, lack of speedometer and deceleration.
The contact owns a 2016 Fiat 500X. The contact stated that on multiple occasions, the vehicle would not start, and the vehicle had to be jumped. Additionally, while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would stall without warning. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the battery was faulty and needed to be replaced. The battery was replaced; however, immediately after retrieving the vehicle, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 33,000.
My low pressure oil light continues to pop on and off. My pressure is reading very low numbers and not the required number needed for the oil to reach the top of the pump. The dealership replaced the censor on the car and it continues to pop up. This issue has been confirmed by the dealership advisor that it can be internal with my motor and continues to say it is not covered under the motor recall that was previously done in 2021 on my car. I have spoken with Mopar representative and they have stated that I have a 2 year warranty and that my current issue falls under the guidelines for motor recall. The component has not been inspected by the manufacturer. My oil has been changed and it is full. This is a safety concern because if I am driving my car and something happens to the motor or if the motor locks up while driving, I will severely be injured after i have explained to the dealership my concerns.
2016 Fiat 500X started but would not turn off. I’ve had to get it towed out of work, my batter has died from it being on all night and a day as well. Ive had to get my coworkers to help me out and take my home after it died. The only signal I got prior was a keyless entry. I changed the batter on my key and nothing worked! I would not drive my car far in fear that it would do this far from my job or home! Dealer says that the RF Module is bad due to water leaking into the car. Dealer says that the RF module and another module needs replaced and possibly the two key FOBS will have to be replaced if the current keys do not sync up with the new RF module. I even had my battery replaced that day I went to the dealer. Thought that would help and it did for a bit.
The radio frequency hub has failed or shorted out from possibly water leaking into vehicle. This has caused the car to randomly stop while driving and other times to not start. The car completely stops locking the cars braking system and not allowing the doors to open. The car that has stopped working while Driving and has been stuck locations unable to start. Diagnostics said the car was fine until it has completely shorted out which has made the car unusable and no diagnostics can be run. When the car was brought into the last dealership they were familiar with this problem due to several other vehicles with the same problem being brought in. The mechanics states that this is a problem from water leaking into a part on the trunk hatch that is supposed to be sealed. There have been several cars repaired at the dealer and currently other cars currently waiting for a back ordered part to try to remedy this problem.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FIAT 500X. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE TURN SIGNAL INTERMITTENTLY FAILED TO OPERATE AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER HERITAGE FIAT LOCATED AT 11212 REISTERSTOWN RD, SUITE B, OWINGS MILLS, MD 21117 WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTERNAL SWITCH WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE SWITCH WAS REPLACED AND THE FAILURE WAS REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT YET CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000.
SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, WITH "DRIVE MODE NOT AVAILABLE" WARNING. CAR SHUTS OFF FOR NO REASON WHILE IN MOTION. RESTART, LIGHT GOES OFF. SEEMS TO BE AFFECTED BY CHANGE IN WEATHER.
ENGINE OVERHEATED AFTER MINIMAL DRIVING IN MANHATTAN DESPITE SUFFICIENT COOLANT LEVELS. SAFETY FEATURES ARE DEFECTIVE (REAR AND SIDE WARNING INDICATORS) WORK INTERMITTENTLY.
I OWN A 2016 FIAT 500X, UNSURE OF THE MODEL BECAUSE I WAS TOLD I WAS PURCHASING A TREKKING BUT PAPERWORK STATES LOUNGE 2. THE VIN NUMBER HAS BROUGHT UP THE DIFFERENT TWO MODELS DEPENDING ON WHAT VIN SEARCH YOU USE. ONE ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE, ARE THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS. AT THE CURRENT TIME, IT HAS A BLINKER, REAR TAILLIGHT AND A BRAKE LIGHT OUT. AND WHEN ONE LIGHT GOES OUT, USUALLY 2-3 OTHER LIGHTS FOLLOW. THIS WILL BE THE 3RD TIME IT'S GOING IN FOR REPAIRS FOR THAT ELECTRICAL ISSUE. IT IS ALSO CONSUMING TOO MUCH OIL. YESTERDAY AFTER I FINALLY GOT IT STARTED, SEVERAL LIGHTS APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD, PARK BRAKE FAILURE LIGHT, TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT AND THE ESC LIGHT. WHEN I PUT IT IN DRIVE MODE, A LIGHT WARNING ME THE DRIVE MODE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE IDLES ROUGH. ONCE I STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AND THE VEHICLE JUMPED INTO NEUTRAL. THE BACKUP CAMERA HAS STAYED ON BEFORE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. ALSO 2 DOOR HANDLES HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED AND THE DRIVERS SIDE KNOB THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN REPLACED ONCE, SEEMS TO BE STICKING LIKE THE ONE BEFORE IT THAT COMPLETELY BROKE OFF.
WHILE SITTING IN A DRIVE THRU THE COOLING FAN WENT OUT AND WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $400. JUST A FEW MONTHS LATER, IT HAPPENED AGAIN. *TR
I HAVE REPORTED MY ISSUES OF MY CAR COMPLETELY SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET WEATHER IT BE 25MPH OR ON THE INTERSTATE AT 70MPH. I HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE LOOKED AT BY DEALERSHIPS AND IT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN. MY LAST INCIDENT LMAO THIS CAUSED ME TO FLIP MY CAN AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH. MY CAR TURNS OFF COMPLETELY, SO THEN I HAVE TO PUT IT IN PARK ONE I'M ABLE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND RESTART. SOMETIMES THIS CAUSE ALL MY LIGHT TO FLICKER ON AND OFF. MY ENGINE FEELS LIKE IT'S GOING TO VIBRATE OUT OF THE FRONT OF MY CAR. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE I'VE BEEN REPORTING TO MY DEALER AND THE MECHANICS FOR ALMOST 2YRS NOW. I HAVE CONTACTED CHRYSLER ( FIAT SERVICE ) TO GET HELP TO FIGURE THIS ISSUE OUT PROPERLY. I WAS TOLD I MAY HAVE TO BE IN A WRECK FOR ANYTHING TO BE DONE. REALLY, SAD A TECH WOULD SAY SOMETHING LIKE THAT. MY FIRST TIME MY CAR STALLED I WAS AT A 4 WAY TURNING TO GO HOME. THIS HAPPENS LITERALLY EVERY MONTH. I HAVE CHILDREN I HAVE TO DRIVE AROUND WITH MY CAR STALLING ON MY AND COMPLETELY LOOSING POWER TO EVERYTHING.
THE CAR STATES THE ELECTRIC PARKING BREAK NEEDS SERVICE. BRAKE IS LOCKED. CAR CANNOT MOVE. ALSO STATES TRANSMISSION REQUIRES SERVICE. VEHICLE RECEIVED SERVICE TWO WEEKS AGO. I'VE HAD ISSUES EVER SINCE DEALER CONDUCTED THE COOLING FAN RECALL LAST MONTH.
SINCE AUGUST 2019 , THE 2016 FIAT 500X HAS BEEN IN FOR ELECTRICAL ISSUES. IN AUGUST 2019 A RADIO WAS REPLACED, THE NEXT MOTH A COMPUTER MODULE WAS REPLACED, SUBSEQUENTLY SINCE OCTOBER 8 2019, THERE HAVE BEEN THREE BATTERIES INSTALLED. IT IS NOT A SAFE VEHICLE, IT CONTINUES TO LEAVE ME STRANDED . TODAY IT HAD TO BE TOWED IN AGAIN. I AM GOING TO BE STRANDED AND IN DANGER. I WAS IN VAN NUYS , CALIFORNIA IN DECEMBER WHEN THEY REPLACED A BATTERY, THEN FEBRUARY 7 , 2020 IT WAS IN MESA AZ WHEN IT HAD TO BE TOWED IN AGAIN. TODAY MARCH 11, 2020 IT WAS TOWED IN AGAIN, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY WILL DO THIS TIME SINCE 3 NEW BATTERIES HASN'T TAKEN CARE OF THE ISSUES. I AM PETRIFIED TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE. I WENT THROUGH ARBITRATION ON FEBRUARY 17,2020WHICH WAS DENIED. I REALLY NEED SOME HELP TO RESOLVE THESE ISSUES
HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES WHERE THE PUSH BUTTON IGNITION DOES NOT START THE VEHICLE- INSTEAD THE MESSAGE DRIVE MODE UNAVAILABLE POPS UP. THIS MESSAGE HAS ALSO APPEARED EVEN WHEN THE CAR HAS STARTED. ALSO, LOST ALL CONNECTION ON DASHBOARD- NO FUNCTIONALITY WHATSOEVER- TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS ADVISED NO CODE WAS THROWN- BUT IF ELECTRICAL A CODE WOULD NOT BE THROWN. WAS ADVISED TO WAIT UNTIL IT HAPPENS AGAIN AND THEN CALL TO BRING IN. THIS HAPPENED WHEN I HAD DROVE THE CAR FOR ABOUT 8 MILES TURNED OFF AND CAME BACK AFTER GOING SHOPPING FOR ABOUT AN HOUR. NO INDICATION OF AN ISSUE BEFORE OR AFTER. I PREVIOUSLY HAD AN ISSUE WITH MY ENTIRE RADIO/CENTER CONSOLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WHICH REQUIRED A REPLACEMENT AS THIS DEALERSHIP STATED NO UPDATES AVAILABLE.
THIS VEHICLE HAS 3 RECALLS AND I DIDN'T SEE THEM ALL LISTED ON YOUR WEBSITE. THE NEW RECALL I WILL ENCLOSE IN A DOCUMENT. THE FIRST RECALL WAS AN ISSUE WITH SHIFTING INTO ALL WHEEL DRIVE AND CONNECTED TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE COOLING AGENT FAN IS MALFUNCTIONING WHICH CAN OVERHEAT AND CAUSE RISK OF INJURY AND POSSIBLE FIRE IN ENGINE. I STARTED NOTICING MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD GO ON AFTER START UP EVEN THOUGH I WASN'T DUE FOR ONE. I CHECKED OIL AND IT WAS FINE. MY CAR STARTED JOLTING FORWARD AND BACKWARDS WHEN STARTED .IT WOULD JOLT BACKWARDS WHILE IN REVERSE. IT'S LOST POWER AFTER STARTING WHILE REVERSING IN MY GARGE. AT TIMES I WAS AFRAID IT WOULD STALL WHILE DRIVING ON BACK ROADS AND WHILE SLOWING DOWN FOR TURNS.ON HIGHWAY AND MAIN ROADS I STARTED SMELLING HEAT FROM FROM ENGINE AND COULD FEEL THE ENGINE STRUGGLING TO FUNCTION. IT'S AT DEALERSHIP NOW FOR RECALL. THANKS
MY CAR HAS GONE TO THE DEALER REPEATEDLY FOR THE FOLLOWING ISSUES: BAD STRUTS, LOOSE ENGINE MOUNTS, OVERHEATING (BROKEN FAN), "DRIVE MODE NOT AVAILABLE", RADIO NOT WORKING, AND NOW MESSAGES SAYING LIGHTS ARE OUT WHEN THEY ARE NOT (CODE SAYS "PENDING CODE") THIS CAR DRIVES TERRIBLE AND IS UNSAFE AND UNRELIABLE- IT SPENDS MORE TIME AT THE DEALER THAN IN MY DRIVEWAY - IT HAS 40K MILES AND IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY
TIENE JALONES Y SE APAGAN LAS LUCES
I BOUGHT THIS CAR SECOND HAND. 33200 MILES STILL ON THE WARRANTY. AFTER FEW MONTHS, 650 MILES OF USAGE, A WARNING LIGHT FOR FOR THE ENGINE AND "DRIVING MODE UNAVAILABLE" STARTED POPPING UP, SO THIS A PLATE LIGHT WARNING POP UP AS WELL. BROUGHT TO FIAT, THEY SAID IT WAS THE THERMOSTAT WHICH IT WAS THEN CHANGED AND SUPPOSEDLY WOULD FIX THE ISSUE. GOT THE CAR BACK. AFTER FEW DAYS AND 125 MILES MORE AGAIN THE "DRIVE MODE UNAVAILABLE" WARNING POP UP... THEN THE FOUR WHEAL DRIVE UNAVAILABLE POP UP..THERE WAS ALSO A WHEAL WARNING POPPING UP. THEN OUT OF A SUDDEN, ON A TRAFFIC LIGHT THE CAR DIDN'T WANT TO START. I HAD TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND TURN BACK ON. ONCE I TURNED THE ENGINE BACK, ALL KINDS OF WARNING SIGNS CAME UP. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME. THEN THE ENGINE LIGHT WARNING KEPT ON. SO DID THE "DRIVE MODE UNAVAILABLE". BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO FIAT RIGHT AWAY. THEY SAID THE BATTERY WAS NOT TIED CORRECTLY. WHICH I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW IT DID HAPPEN AND WHY THEY DID NOT SEE THAT THE FIRST TIME THEY LOOK AT THE CAR. GOING TO PICK UP THE CAR TOMORROW AND HOPE WILL NOT GOING TO HAVE TO REPORT FURTHER ISSUES.
Showing 1–20 of 31 complaints
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 26, 2026