2013 FIAT 500 Engine Problems

In June 2025, while driving my 2013 Fiat Abarth at highway speed, the vehicle suddenly stalled without warning. This happened on one of the hottest days of the year with another person in the car, creating a serious risk of a high-speed collision. The cause was later confirmed by a different Fiat dealership: a port in the intake/PCV system had been left completely uncapped after service at a Fiat dealership in 2024. The mechanic who worked on my car apparently believed this was only a “vent” and not part of the vacuum system — a dangerous misunderstanding that allowed unmetered air into the engine. This disrupted the air/fuel mixture and led directly to the stall. I have written proof from the dealership admitting to the “vent” claim. A competent technician should know the difference between a vent and a vacuum port. Returning a vehicle in this condition is negligence and puts lives at risk. The component is still available for inspection, and I have documentation supporting my claims.

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)

Real main seal leak Valve cover leak Vacuum pump leak Leaks went on to the starter and caused the starter to fail

While driving down the highway, I noticed my engine began to shake violently and began to make a strong knocking noise. The check engine light then illuminated and started blinking, indicating a serious problem. I immediately attempted to pull over because the car was no longer safe to drive. I waited a few hours on the side of the road and had the car towed to a mechanic shop. They told me that there was an engine misfire on cylinder 3. They then pointed me toward the dealership. At the dealership, they found that three cylinders had exhaust valves that were burnt out, and needed to be replaced. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? - The exhaust valves of cylinders 1, 2, and 3. I have photos of what the valves looked like, but may not be able to retrieve the defective valves. I can retrieve an invoice as soon as I receive it. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? - Immediately once the issue started, it was no longer safe to continue driving on the highway. If I had continued to drive, it could have started a fire, or the engine could have stopped working, meaning that I would be stranded in the middle of the highway. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? - Yes. The dealership has determined the exhaust valves were at fault. The same dealership also had another vehicle with the same issue in the shop at the same time mine was in the shop. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? - Yes, the dealership has inspected the part. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? - There were no prior warning signs to this issue besides a slightly higher idle than usual. Immediately when the issue happened, the check engine light illuminated and started blinking.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FIAT 500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH. HE ALSO STATED THAT WHITE SMOKE HAD BEGAN EMITTING FROM THE ENGINE. DESPITE THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO HIS RESIDENCE. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE VEHICLE DESPITE A RECENT OIL CHANGE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE TRANSFER PLATE CLUTCH PEDAL HAD FAILED MULTIPLE TIMES DESPITE THE VEHICLE BEING PLACED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V302000 (POWER TRAIN). THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD YET TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,263.

Mileage: 47,263

HELLO, I BELIEVE I NEED AN ATTORNEY AND LEGAL ADVICE. I HAVE A DEFECTIVE CAR THAT SHOWS ON THE FIAT DEALERSHIP WEBSITE AS A RECALL. THE YEAR MAKE AND MODEL OF MY CAR HAS A RECALL (2/2013 RECALL N09 REPROGRAM POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE) I HAVE HAVE BEEN REPORTED MY ISSUE TO FIAT DEALERSHIP FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS AND WAS TOLD THAT BASED ON MY VIN NUMBER I DO NOT HAVE A RECALL. WHEN I SERVICE MY CAR AT DEALERSHIP THEY JUST TURN OFF MY ENGINE LIGHT. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO PASS INSPECTION OF MY VEHICLE IN OVER TWO YEARS. MY MECHANIC EXPLAINED TO ME THAT I HAVE A RECALL AND HE CANNOT PASS INSPECTION. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR, BUT CANNOT SELL IT OR TRADE IT IN DIE TO THE ENGINE LIGHT ERROR. I HAVE A RECORD OF ALL OF MY RECEIPTS. THIS STARTED IN JANUARY 2018. I BELIEVE THAT I SHOULD FILE CHARGES AGAINST FIAT AND WOULD NEED LEGAL ADVISE. THANK YOU.

THERE IS AN OIL LEAK ON DRIVERS SIDE CAM SEAL OR ACTUATOR

LOW OIL PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT. OIL LEVEL WAS FINE. THEN LOSS OF POWER. TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP AND NEED NEW ENGINE

Mileage: 34,780

ON JULY 14, 2018, I BEGAN EXPERIENCING TROUBLE WITH MY FIAT 500 SPORT IVE ONLY HAD 2-3 MONTHS. I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN SOME TRAFFIC WHEN IT SUDDENLY LOSS OF POWER. THE CAR BEGAN SENDING MULTIPLE CODES DEALING WITH THE POWERTRAIN AND TRANSMISSION. RIGHT NOW NO OBD II DEVICES ARE ABLE TO READ THE CODES BECAUSE NOTHING SHOWS. I AM UNABLE TO TRACK MY VEHICLE'S MILEAGE AS WELL. THE CHECK ENGINE AND ESC LIGHTS ARE ON. IF DRIVEN THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CAR TRIES TO STALL. THE OIL HAS BEEN CHANGED AS REQUIRED. THERE IS VERY ROUGH IDLING. THERE ARE CONSTANT MISFIRES IN ONE OF THE CYLINDERS. I HAVEN'T DRIVEN THIS CAR IN OVER A MONTH. TODAY I HAVE FINALLY MANAGED TO GET IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. I'M NOT SURE WHAT THEY WILL SAY IS THE PROBLEM BUT I FEEL ITS A BAD ECU/BCM/PCM.

Mileage: 29,910

NO SIGNS OF ANY PROBLEMS. OIL CHANGE DONE LESS THAN 3 WEEKS. WHILE DRIVING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND IN LESS THEN 2 MINS LOSS OF POWER UNTIL COMPLETE STOP AND CAR SHUT OFF. TURNS OVER BUT CAR SHAKES GOT IT TOWED HOME. CAR REMAINS UNABLE TO DRIVE. SHAKES WITH NOISES IN THE ENGINE WHEN ON. I'VE ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR 2 YEARS SO I'M SHOCKED I AM HAVING THIS PROBLEM.

Mileage: 98,414

ABOUT A MONTH AGO, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING TO/FROM WORK AND NOTICED A "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT COME ON. WE IMMEDIATELY SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH OUR LOCAL STUDIO AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE CAR AS NORMAL. AT THIS POINT, NOTHING WAS GOING ON WITH THE CAR, EXCEPT THAT THE LIGHT CAME ON. A DAY OR TWO LATER, THE LIGHT WENT OFF, AND THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACT NORMAL. WE ENDED UP CANCELING THE APPOINTMENT, GUESSING THAT THERE WAS A GLITCH WITH THE COMPUTER. THE VERY NEXT MORNING, MY WIFE STARTED THE CAR TO FIND THE ENGINE SHAKING AND THE EXHAUST MAKING A STRANGE SOUND, SO SHE SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER, I GOT A CALL FROM THE STUDIO EXPLAINING THAT THE CAR WAS VERY LOW ON OIL AND THAT IT APPEARS THE CAR'S BEEN CONSUMING OIL AT AN ACCELERATED RATE. HE SAID THEY PERFORMED AN OIL CHANGE AND THAT, PER FIAT'S PROTOCOL, THEY'D PERFORM AN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST BY LETTING US DRIVE THE CAR FOR 750 MILES AND THEN WE'D HAVE TO BRING THE CAR BACK TO LET THEM CHECK EVERYTHING OUT. I WENT TO PICK UP THE CAR ONLY TO FIND THE SAME ISSUE THAT MY WIFE HAD DESCRIBED (ENGINE SHAKING, EXHAUST MAKING NOISE). IT WAS LATE AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS CLOSED, SO I LEFT THE KEY WITH THE RECEPTIONIST AND EXPLAINED THAT THE CAR WAS IN THE SAME CONDITION AS WHEN WE HAD IT TOWED AND THAT I'D LIKE THEM TO FIND OUT WHAT'S GOING ON. A FEW DAYS LATER, THE STUDIO CALLED TO EXPLAIN THAT THE ENGINE'S OIL PRESSURE WAS SHOT AND THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CYLINDER 3'S OIL VALVE WAS STUCK AND THE CYLINDER WAS MIS-FIRING. THE STUDIO RECOMMENDED REPLACED THE ENGINE AS OPPOSED TO INVESTIGATING WHAT FAILED, SINCE THE INVESTIGATION COULD TAKE HOURS AND COST MORE THAN AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT. THIS IS MY SECOND FIAT; THE FIRST EXPERIENCED THE CLUTCH RECALL THAT I HAD PREVIOUSLY REPORT TO NHTSA AND THANKS TO MINE AND OTHERS REPORTS, A RECALL WAS ISSUED.

Mileage: 75,097

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

ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND IT REVEALED A EVAP LEAK WHICH HAS HAPPENED BEFORE AND MECHANIC FOUND NO LEAK AND SAID IT MUST HAVE BEEN GAS CAP. A COUPLE MONTHS LATER LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN FOR THE SAME EVAP LEAK CODE. BUT THEN THE CAR BEGAN TO SHUDDER WHILE COMING TO STOP AND RAN ODD. TOOK IT TO FIAT DEALERSHIP. TURNS OUT THERE WERE THREE CODES OR MORE WHICH CANNOT BE READ UNLESS AT DEALERSHIP. SURPRISE SURPRISE. TOTAL REPAIR COSTS WERE 2500 AND I HAD NO IDEA MY CAR WAS MESSED UP CAUSE ENGINE LIGHT DID NOT INDICATE ISSUES. KEPT SAYING EVAP WHEN I HAD AN OIL PRESSURE SENSOR MESSED UP. GASKETS LEAKING AND A BLOWN VALVE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY. CAR HAS LESS THAN 45K AND IS WELL MAINTAINED AND DRIVEN. VERY UPSET AT THE LOST OF INCOME. IT HURTS. IT'S A LOT OF MONEY FOR NO REASON. DISAPPOINTED IN AMERICAN BUILT CARS.

Mileage: 10

I WAS DRIVING TO AN APPOINTMENT AND WAS SITTING AT A RED LIGHT WHEN MY FIAT BEGAN TO SHAKE. I TOOK IT TO THE FIAT DEALERSHIP AFTER MY APPOINTMENT ON JUNE 16, 2017. THE FOLLOWING TUESDAY THEY SAID I WAS MY SPARK PLUGS AND I APPROVED CHANGING THEM. WHEN THEY STARTED THE CAR AGAIN THEN THEY GOT A MESSAGE STATING NO COMPRESSION IN CAM 2. I AN THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND HAVE HAD THE CAR JUST UNDER 4 YEARS. I HAVE HAD ALL THE SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE DONE THERE AT THE DEALERSHIP. I HOWEVER HAVE 54K ON THE ENGINE SO I AM JUST OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY. I HAVE BEEN GOING THROUGH VARIOUS FIAT FORUMS AND SEE THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH CAM 2.

Mileage: 54,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FIAT 500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OIL PRESSURE AND SERVICE ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V302000 (POWER TRAIN). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT SUPPLIED THE REMEDY AND PARTS WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME. MONTHS AFTER WAITING FOR THE RECALL REPAIR PARTS, THE CLUTCH WAS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY AND THERE WAS A STRONG VIBRATION COMING FROM THE PEDAL. THE MANUFACTURER HAD A DEALER (BOB FRENSLEY CHRYSLER JEEP RAM FIAT IN MADISON, TN) SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR JULY 6, 2017. IN THE INTERIM, THE CONTACT COULD OBTAIN A RENTAL VEHICLE AND WOULD BE REIMBURSED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Mileage: 40,000

COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER WHEN DRIVING , I FILED FOR LEMON LAW. I WON. NOW THEY ARE GOING TO SELL THIS CAR ON THE INTERNET AS A BUY BACK.

Mileage: 1,400

I HAVE RECEIVED SEVERAL RECALLS ON MY CLUTCH. I TOOK IT TO MY DEALERSHIP AND THEY WERE MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE JANUARY 11TH, 2017 AND THEY STILL HAVE YET TO CONTACT ME. ALSO I HAVE AN OIL LEAK IN WHICH THEY SAID THEY FIXED. RIGHT AFTER I TOOK IT HOME OIL HAS BEEN FLOODING OUT OF IT AND SPRAYING ALL OVER MY CAR. THIS SHOULD NOT BE A PROBLEM GIVEN MY MILES AND YEAR OF MY CAR. I GOT ALL OF THE NECESSARY OIL CHANGES BUT HAVE NO PROOF SINCE MY HUSBAND DID THEM HIMSELF AND PAID CASH FOR THE ITEMS HE NEEDED. SO THE DEALERSHIP IS REFUSING TO WORK WITH ME AT ALL WITH THIS ISSUE EVEN THOUGH THEY MADE THE OIL LEAK WORSE THEN IT ORIGINALLY WAS.

Mileage: 55,000

THE CLUTCH COVER DIAPHRAGM SPRING MAY FATIGUE AND/OR FRACTURE. SAFETY RISK: A FAILED CLUTCH COVER DIAPHRAGM SPRING MAY RESULT IN THE INABILITY TO DISENGAGE THE CLUTCH, SHIFT GEARS AND THE POTENTIAL FOR A LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. REMEDY: IMPLEMENT A CLUTCH PEDAL LIMITER AND A CLUTCH PEDAL SWITCH. RECALL STATUS: RECALL INCOMPLETE. REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FIAT 500. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND SWITCHED OUT OF GEAR WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE BEYOND 15 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000.

Mileage: 55,000

I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR A TAPPING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE AFTERNOON AFTER I DROPPED OFF MY CAR I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE SERVICE ADVISER TELLING ME THAT THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM AN INTERIOR COMPONENT OF MY ENGINE AND THAT THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE ENGINE DID NOT COME IN UNTIL JULY 20, 2015. WITHIN A DAY OR TWO I RECEIVED ANOTHER CALL FROM THE SERVICE ADVISER TELLING ME THAT THE CLUTCH PRESSURE PLATE WAS WORN DOWN TO THE METAL AND THAT IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HE WENT ON TO SAY THAT THIS PARTICULAR PART WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY AND I WOULD NOW INCUR AN OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE. AT FIFTY THREE YEARS OF AGE I HAVE HAD SEVERAL VEHICLES WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS AND NEVER HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY CLUTCH LET ALONE WITH THE PRESSURE PLATE. SOON AFTER I RESEARCHED SEVERAL VEHICLE REVIEW WEB SITES TO LEARN THAT THERE ARE A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS WITH THE CLUTCH PRESSURE PLATE VEHICLES WITH MILEAGE FROM 11K TO 25 K.

Mileage: 22,500

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FIAT 500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD INDEPENDENTLY DECELERATE. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND WHEN RESTARTED, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOUR TIMES FOR THE RECURRING FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,600.

Mileage: 4,600