Fiat

500

Minicompact Cars · model years 2012 to 2019

The verdict

Best year: 2019. complaints: 0, below this model's typical 27; recalls: 2, below this model's typical 4.

Worst year: 2012. complaints: 394, about 14.6x this model's typical 27; recalls: 4, in line with this model's typical 4.

Year by year

Year by year summary for the Fiat 500
Year	Trims	MPG	HP	Fuel cost	Recalls	Complaints	Investigations	Top complaints
2012	2Gas	30.5	100	$2,525	4	394	1	POWER TRAIN 37%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 12%, ENGINE 10%
complaints: 394, about 14.6x this model's typical 27 recalls: 4, in line with this model's typical 4 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 17 Score: 20 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 1.0 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2013	3Gas	30	100	$2,550	4	164	1	POWER TRAIN 36%, ENGINE 10%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 8%
complaints: 164, about 4.1x this model's typical 40 recalls: 4, in line with this model's typical 4 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 6 Score: 24 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 0.7 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2014	3Gas	30	100	$2,550	4	124	1	POWER TRAIN 39%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 13%, ENGINE 11%
complaints: 124, about 3.1x this model's typical 40 recalls: 4, in line with this model's typical 4 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 8 Score: 22 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 0.9 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2015	4Gas	29.5	100	$2,600	4	92	1	POWER TRAIN 23%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 19%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 11%
complaints: 92, about 1.7x this model's typical 53 recalls: 4, in line with this model's typical 4 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 4 Score: 44 of 100, where higher is better.
2016	4Gas	29.5	100	$2,600	4	14	1	POWER TRAIN 31%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 12%, ENGINE 12%
complaints: 14, below this model's typical 53 recalls: 4, in line with this model's typical 4 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 2 Score: 79 of 100, where higher is better.
2017	4Gas	29.5	100	$2,600	2	13	1	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 21%, POWER TRAIN 16%, STRUCTURE 16%
complaints: 13, below this model's typical 53 recalls: 2, below this model's typical 4 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 Score: 85 of 100, where higher is better.
2018	2Gas	28.5	160	$2,700	2	5	2	SEATS 20%, SERVICE BRAKES 20%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 20%
complaints: 5, below this model's typical 27 recalls: 2, below this model's typical 4 Score: 87 of 100, where higher is better.
2019	2Gas	28.5	160	$2,700	2	0	2	no data
complaints: 0, below this model's typical 27 recalls: 2, below this model's typical 4 Score: 90 of 100, where higher is better.

How the numbers moved

Combined MPG, median2012: 30.5 to 2019: 28.5

Owner complaints2012: 394 to 2019: 0

How we score each year

We compare each year of the Fiat 500 to the model's own typical numbers, not to other cars. A year reads solid when its recalls, owner complaints, and federal investigations sit at or below what is typical for this model, mixed when some of those numbers run above typical, and avoid when they run far above it. Deaths, reported fires, and an NHTSA advisory to park outside count against a year no matter what this model's baseline looks like.

A year is scored only when NHTSA has both complaint and recall counts for it. Complaint data often lags for the newest years, so a recent year can read not enough data even while its recall count already shows in the table. When the history is too thin, we say not enough data instead of guessing. Service bulletins are routine maintenance guidance from the manufacturer and do not lower a year's score.

Scores run 0 to 100, higher is better. Recall, complaint, and investigation figures come from NHTSA records. Fuel economy, fuel cost, and horsepower figures come from the EPA, shown as the median across the year's trims.

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.