2013 FIAT 500 Electrical System Problems

Dear NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, I am filing this formal complaint to report the sale and interstate delivery of a dangerously defective and noncompliant vehicle sold to me by Arlington Auto Group, located at 3621 Columbia Pike, Arlington, Virginia. On [XXX], I purchased a 2013 Fiat 500 (VIN: [XXX] ). The vehicle was delivered to my home in Englewood, Colorado on [XXX]. Within 24 hours of taking possession of the car—and having driven fewer than 100 miles—I had the vehicle inspected by a certified mechanic at The Auto Repair Place in Boulder, Colorado. Their findings revealed multiple severe safety hazards, including: Rear brake pads completely worn to metal-on-metal contact Two bolts missing from the rear passenger wheel A destroyed and leaking turbocharger, which increases the risk of engine failure Inoperable tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) No Virginia safety inspection documentation provided Additionally, the car had been illegally tampered with to bypass emissions systems, including removal of the catalytic converter and installation of sensor bypass wiring, which also violates federal law and emissions standards. This vehicle was represented as safe and legally operable at the time of sale. However, these issues clearly indicate the vehicle poses a substantial risk to public safety and should not have been sold or shipped across state lines. Request for Investigation I respectfully request that NHTSA investigate this matter for violations of federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS) and to determine whether this dealership has a pattern or practice of selling unsafe or defective vehicles. I am prepared to provide: Full mechanic inspection report Purchase contract and shipping records Photos of the damage and mechanical issues Communications with the dealership and lender Thank you for your time and attention to this serious safety matter. Sincerely, [XXX] [XXX] (303) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Car break shift lock stuck in park with various different elements illuminating on the dash. Must manually override break shift lock to put car in neutral, start the car, and put it in drive or reverse. Will no go over 40 mph. Power steering will unexpectedly go out in addition to fuel cut off, ABS, and electronic stability control also stopping. Have had brake light switch replaced for temporary fix, and replaced the battery. Has passed multiple 20 point inspections with no visible damage. The same problem has reoccurred and the fiat mechanics only idea is to replace the entire shifter column and see if any other codes are appearing.

Ed Payne Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM 2101 E Expressway 83, Weslaco, TX 78599 +1 956-272-1902 For the past years, I have complained to the car dealer I take my vehicle into that there is an issue with the fuel tank. I have been told that other Fiat car owners have had the same issues as I. Issues, the 2013 - 2014 Fait Sport 500, tank issue, when filling up the tank, the tank does not fill up normal. When filling up the gas take, the gas handle stops every 10 sec, I have to keep clicking on the gas pump handle every 10 sec. To keep the flow of gas to fill the gas tank up. I was told by the car dealer that the issue was the gas tank on the Fait, not the gas pump machine. When adding a new gas tank to the vehicle, the problem stop, and the owners were able to fill the gas tank without any issues. I keep having headlights, blinkers, stop lights burn out all the time. I believe there's an issue with the wiring in the Fait Sport 500.

CEL ALERT: P0071 OBD II ERROR AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE. THE FORUMS ARE FULL OF PEOPLE TRYING TO FIND OUT HOW TO FIX THIS. THERE IS A FAULTY THERMOSTAT IN THE PASSENGER SIDE MIRROR THAT REQUIRES THE ENTIRE MIRROR TO BE ( $117 FROM AUTO ZONE ) A 25 THERMOSTAT IS THE ONLY THING THAT SHOULD ACTUALLY NEED REPLACEMENT

Mileage: 106,600

THE WIRE HARNESS GOING TO THE TRUNK LID IS DEFECTIVE. THE WIRES BREAK AND THE DEALER REPAIRS THE BREAKS WITH A SPLICE WHICH DOESN'T LAST. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR THIS DEFECT IN 2017. THEY PERFORMED THE FACTORY REPAIR PER THE SERVICE MANAGER CHARLIE THIBAULT. I EXPRESSED CONCERNS FOR THE REPAIR SINCE IT WAS SOMETHING I COULD HAVE PERFORMED. HE SAID IF THE REPAIR FAILS THEY WILL REVIEW AND DECIDE IF IT WILL BE COVERED IN THE FUTURE. THE REPAIR FAILED IN 2020, LESS THAN 20,000 MILES SINCE THE ORIGINAL REPAIR. THE CAR IS NOT DRIVEN IN THE WINTER AND IT IS STORED IN THE GARAGE SO THIS IS NOT DUE TO HARSH CONDITIONS. I CONTACTED FIAT CHRYSLER AUTOMOBILES (FCA) TO SEEK THEIR ASSISTANCE. THEY SUGGESTED REQUESTING A SERVICE APPOINTMENT TO GET THE DEALERSHIP INVOLVED. I DID THIS AND FCA REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THEY SAID THE REPAIR HAS A 2 YEAR WARRANTY. WIRING HARNESSES SHOULD NOT FAIL EVERY 2 YEARS. LOOKING AT THE FIAT FORUMS THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON DEFECT WITH THIS VEHICLE. THE DEFECT CAN RESULT IN A SURCHARGEABLE OFFENSE IN MA OR AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE LIGHTS NOT WORKING OR POSSIBLY A FIRE WHEN THE HARNESS BREAKS. THE ATTACHED PICTURES SHOW THE ORIGINAL DEFECT, THE NEW DEFECT, THE UNTAPED REPAIR WHEN IT FAILED A SECOND TIME, THE POOR REPAIR WITH WIRES NOT SEALED AFTER FIRST REPAIR. FIAT CHRYSLER SHOULD HAVE A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE AND BE FORCED TO MAKE A PERMANENT REPAIR FOR THIS PROBLEM THAT WILL LAST THE LIFE OF THE CAR.

Mileage: 38,000

VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR AND HEADLIGHTS WILL NOT TURN OFF AT ANY TIME.

Mileage: 91,785

LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER WHILE I DRIVE AND I HAVE TO PULL OVER ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO FIAT AND THEY HAVE NOT FIXED THE ISSUE. FIAT HAS A RECALL ON MY TYPE OF CAR EXCEPT FCA US LLC SAID MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID # 16V302000. I DO NOT WANT PASSENGERS TO BE IN MY CAR BECAUSE OF THE RISK OF DEATH. THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT DANGER TO MYSELF AND OTHERS.

Mileage: 21,000

AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, (76 EAST IN AKRON OHIO)TO TAKE MY CAR TO THE SHOP FOR A CHECK ENGINE AND BATTERY LIGHT THAT CAME ON, WARNING LIGHTS OF ALL SORTS STARTED TO POP UP. IT BASICALLY APPEARED TO CYCLE THROUGH ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS. I WAS PROBABLY ONLY AT 45 MPH, BARELY HIGHWAY SPEED, BUT IT IS HARD TO KNOW AS THE RMP AND SPEEDOMETER KEPT FLUCTUATING WILDLY. THEN THE CAR SLOWLY DIED TO A DEAD STOP WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. I STILL HAD LIGHTS AND AIR, AND ALL OTHER ELECTRICAL THINGS BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. I MANAGED TO GET SAFELY TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, A GENTLEMEN FROM THE STATE FARM ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE PUSHED ME INTO THE BEGINNING OF A CLOSED LANE. I WAS TOLD THIS ISSUE WAS MY ALTERNATOR NOT CHARGING PROPERLY. THERE IS ONLY ABOUT 52K MILES ON MY CAR.

Mileage: 52,000

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, TRANSMISSION LIGHT COME ON INTERMITTENTLY. AMBIENT TEMP SENSOR RECORDS CRAZY TEMPS AS LOW AS NEGATIVE 40 F. PLASTIC CASING AROUND PASSENGER SIDE VIEW MIRROR MELTED WHICH IS WHERE AMBIENT TEMP SENSOR IS LOCATED AND COULD BE FIRE HAZARD. DEALER HAS CHANGED AMBIENT SENSOR BUT WARNINGS AND WILD TEMPS STILL OCCURRING. INCIDENTS OCCUR AS SOON AS CAR IS TURNED ON AND STAY ON FOR VARIOUS AMOUNTS OF TIME

Mileage: 30,000

WIRING BETWEEN BODY AND TRUNK LID BREAKS DUE TO POOR DESIGN AND SHIELDING NOT PROTECTING THE WIRES.. 4 WIRES BROKEN CAUSING THE LICENSE PLATE LIGHT TO NOT BE LIT. THIS IS A TICKETABLE OFFENSE IN MASSACHUSETTS AND RESULTS IN A SURCHARGE ON THE DRIVERS LICENSE.

Mileage: 29,030

I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED BOTH FRONT WINDOW REGULATORS AT $189.00 EACH. THE PLASTIC PIECT BREAKS OFF. WHEN I TOOK IT TO FIAT THE REPAIR GUY SAID HE IS CHANGING OUT ABOUT 4 A DAY. I REPLACED MINE IN 2015 AND YET AGAIN THE SAME PIECE HAS BROKEN OFF. HOW IS THIS NOT A RECALL AS MANUFACTURE DEFECT? I HAVE ATTACHED PHOTO.

Mileage: 120,000

WIRING HARNESS BETWEEN THE CHASSIS AND THE TRUNK LID BREAKS. THERE ARE SEVERAL BROKEN WIRES. THIS IS CAUSING THE "CHECK LICENSE PLATE LIGHT" WARNING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE LICENSE PLATE LIGHT IS OUT WHICH IS A TICKET-ABLE OFFENSE WITH SURCHARGE IN THE STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS WHERE THE CAR IS REGISTERED. THE EXPOSED WIRES COULD ALSO ARC AND CAUSE A FIRE.

Mileage: 28,983

I PARKED MY VEHICLE IN A PUBLIC LOT AND WHEN I RETURNED TO MY VEHICLE AND STARTED IT THE LIGHTS TURNED ON THEN SHUT OFF QUICKLY AND THE KEY WAS STUCK IN THE IGNITION. I JUMP STARTED THE VEHICLE WHICH SEEMED TO JUST CHARGE IT AND WAS ABLE TO GET THE KEY RELEASED AND THE POWER, LIGHTS AND WINDOWS ALL WORKING AGAIN BUT WHEN I TURNED TO START THE ENGINE IT DOES NOTHING BUT CLICK. I ALSO TRIED BOTH KEYS THAT I HAVE FOR THE VEHICLE AND THE POWER LOCK AND UNLOCK DOES NOT EVEN WORK.

Mileage: 20,000

MY CAR CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING OR BEING IDLED. I WOULD DRIVE IT IN THE CITY AND AFTER ABOUT 20-30 MINUTES OF DRIVING STOP AND GO. IT WOULD CUT OFF WHILE I'M STOPPED AT A LIGHT. THEN I WOULD PUT IT IN PARK AND IT WOULD RESTART. THEN AFTER THAT IT WOULD READ AS HIGH COOLANT. ALSO GOING UP STEEP HILLS IT WOULD CUT OFF WHEN I TURN IT AT THE TOP OF THE HILL AND READ NOTHING JUST COMPLETELY TURN OFF. I FINALLY GOT TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM WITH FIAT SERVICE AND THEY ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO STOP IT FROM CUTTING OFF. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL AND REPLACE BY FIAT

THE HEADLIGHTS AND TAILLIGHTS WILL NOT WORK. THE BULBS "BURN OUT" AS SOON AS THEY ARE REPLACED. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED, THE MANUFACTURER SIMPLY REPLACED THEM WHILE UNDER WARRANTY - NOW THAT THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND THEIR DEALERSHIPS ARE CLOSED IN THE STATE THEY WISH TO HAVE ME TAKE THE CAR OUT OF STATE, PAY FOR A RENTAL WHILE THEY ATTEMPT TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE GIVEN THEM 5 OPPORTUNITIES PRIOR TO THIS TIME TO DO SO AND EACH TIME WAS TOLD IT WAS "BAD BULBS". I CANNOT GET THE VEHICLE INSPECTED AND THERE IS ALSO A RECALL THAT I CANNOT GET SERVICED DUE TO THEIR OTHER FACILITIES BEING UNEQUIPPED TO SERVICE THIS PRODUCT. THERE ARE OTHER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS THAT HAVE PLAGUED THE VEHICLE AND STILL ARE, BUT WILL NOT CAUSE A SAFETY INSPECTION FAILURE. THESE TOO HAVE BEEN SUPPOSEDLY REPAIRED IN THE PAST ONLY TO REOCCUR. I AM SEEKING YOUR ASSISTANCE AS I HAVE RECEIVED NO RESOLUTION FROM THE MANUFACTURER AND DO NOT HAVE THE MEANS TO PAY FOR A RENTAL CAR OF UNKNOWN DURATION FOR THEM TO ATTEMPT TO DIAGNOSE THIS FOR THE 6TH TIME. ANY HELP I CAN GET IS APPRECIATED. THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE OCCURRENCES SINCE 2013.

Mileage: 51,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FIAT 500. WHILE TURNING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED THAT THE COMPUTER BE REPROGRAMMED. THE REPAIR FAILED TO REMEDY THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000.

Mileage: 39,000

WHILE ACCELERATING THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD NOT READ ANY HIGHER THAN 20 MPH, EVEN WHEN GOING SPEEDS WELL OVER 20 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE. COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD READ AT 0, HOWEVER ONCE ACCELERATING OR DECELERATING FROM OVER 20 MPH WOULD NOT BE REGISTERED. THE CAR WAS TURNED ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES, AND SHIFTED THROUGH ALL THE GEARS, STILL NO FIX. *TR

Mileage: 6,630