Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website to confirm part number and applicability. There is an error with the wiring diagrams in Service Library that is causing the incorrect repair kit part number to populate. Please use the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website until this issue is resolved.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 FIAT 500 electrical problems
moderate 13 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
13
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website to confirm part number and applicability. There is an error with the wiring diagrams in Service Library that is causing the incorrect repair kit part number to populate. Please use the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website until this issue is resolved.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗BEV/Hybrid - Showroom and Display Vehicle Battery Maintenance This information only bulletin discusses procedures that must be followed for BEV/Hybrid vehicles that are on display at dealership showrooms.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗HVAC Control Panel Illumination Inoperative
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and also warranty reimbursement when battery replacements are necessary.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe a pattern of chronic electrical failures across multiple systems. The trunk-lid wiring harness breaks repeatedly—Fiat's factory repair using splice tape fails again within 20,000 miles, and warranty coverage expires after two years. Headlights and taillights burn out immediately after replacement, with dealerships attributing failures to bad bulbs rather than diagnosing underlying wiring or charging problems. One owner's vehicle experienced catastrophic electrical cascade at highway speed: warning lights cycled uncontrollably, the speedometer and RPM fluctuated wildly, and the engine died and refused to restart at 52,000 miles.
Engine stalling while driving or idling is reported, accompanied by electronic throttle control warnings; dealership reprogramming attempts failed. Starter failures occur, with ignition keys becoming stuck and power windows losing function. The fuel tank vents improperly, requiring repeated pump handle clicks to fill—resolved only by tank replacement, though other owners report the same issue. Window regulator plastic pieces break off; one dealer confirmed replacing four per day, suggesting a systemic defect.
An ambient temperature sensor melts its plastic housing while producing false extreme readings (negative 40°F reported), sensor replacement didn't cure the intermittent check engine and transmission lights. Across all complaints, dealership diagnostics repeatedly failed, and manufacturer warranty coverage is narrow or unavailable.
Same FIAT 500 electrical reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Trunk-lid wiring harness breakage
Wires in the harness between chassis and trunk lid break repeatedly, causing license plate light to fail. Factory repairs use temporary splices that re-break within 20,000 miles. Broken wires create fire hazard from arcing and result in ticketable offense in Massachusetts.
When: Reported as early as 2017, recurring failures within 20,000 miles of original repair; occurs in garaged, non-winter-driven vehicles
Symptoms owners cite: license plate light inoperable; exposed/broken wires in trunk harness; check license plate light warning on instrument panel
Repairs/costs cited: Factory repair uses splice tape; failed permanently in one case. Replacements not covered after 2-year FCA warranty expires.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: FCA refused warranty coverage citing 2-year warranty limit; suggested dealership service appointments; factory repair performed in 2017 per TSB procedure
Headlight and taillight bulb premature burnout
Lights burn out repeatedly immediately after replacement. Issue present since vehicle purchase; five prior dealership attempts to diagnose all attributed to 'bad bulbs' without identifying underlying electrical defect. Recalls cannot be serviced at many dealership locations.
When: Ongoing since 2013 purchase; multiple occurrences over vehicle ownership
Symptoms owners cite: headlights will not work; taillights will not work; bulbs burn out as soon as replaced; lights won't turn off
Repairs/costs cited: Bulbs repeatedly replaced under warranty; underlying wiring or charging system issue not diagnosed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealerships replaced bulbs under warranty; closed dealerships unable to service recalls; manufacturer offered no root-cause diagnosis
Ambient temperature sensor malfunction with melted plastic housing
Ambient temperature sensor records incorrect extreme readings (negative 40°F reported) and creates intermittent check engine and transmission warning lights. Plastic casing around passenger-side view mirror where sensor is mounted melted, creating potential fire hazard. Sensor replacement did not resolve warnings.
When: Warnings appear as soon as car is turned on; issue ongoing at time of report
Symptoms owners cite: check engine light on intermittently; transmission light on intermittently; ambient temp sensor reads crazy temperatures; plastic casing melted on mirror housing
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaced ambient temperature sensor; warnings and wild temperature readings persisted after replacement
Alternator not charging properly
Alternator fails to charge battery properly. Vehicle experienced cascading electrical failures on highway at 45 mph: all warning lights cycled, RPM and speedometer fluctuated wildly, engine stalled and would not restart. Occurs at relatively low mileage.
When: At approximately 52,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: check engine light and battery light came on initially; all warning lights cycled through; RPM and speedometer fluctuated wildly; engine died on highway; vehicle would not restart
Engine stalling while driving or idling with electronic throttle control warning
Vehicle cuts off unexpectedly while driving city streets during stop-and-go traffic after 20-30 minutes, and while turning at unknown speeds. Electronic throttle control warning light illuminates during turning-related stalls. Stalls also occur when turning at top of hills. Failure occurs on numerous occasions; dealership could not determine cause despite multiple visits. Computer reprogramming attempted without success.
When: At approximately 39,000 miles; ongoing intermittent failures
Symptoms owners cite: vehicle stalls while driving; vehicle stalls while idling at traffic lights; vehicle stalls when turning, especially on hills; electronic throttle control warning light illuminates; high coolant reading appears after stall events; engine cuts off completely with no restart
Repairs/costs cited: Computer reprogrammed; repair failed to remedy stalling. Fiat service unable to determine root cause despite multiple service visits.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not made aware of failures in one complaint; dealer recommended computer reprogramming
Starter/battery electrical failure with key stuck in ignition
Vehicle parked in public lot; upon return, lights turned on then shut off immediately and ignition key became stuck. Jump start appeared to charge battery temporarily, allowing key release and restoration of power, lights, and windows. However, engine will not turn over—only clicking sound occurs. Power door locks also inoperative.
When: At unknown mileage; occurred after vehicle sat parked in public lot
Symptoms owners cite: lights turned on then shut off; key stuck in ignition; engine only clicks when attempting to start; power door locks do not work; loss of electrical power
Repairs/costs cited: Jump start provided temporary power restoration
Fuel tank vent blockage or defect preventing normal filling
Fuel tank does not fill normally. Gas pump nozzle stops every 10 seconds during fill-up and requires repeated manual clicking/release of pump handle to continue fuel flow. Issue identified as fuel tank defect, not gas pump. Resolved by fuel tank replacement; dealer confirmed other Fiat 500 owners reported same issue.
When: Multiple years of ownership for complainant
Symptoms owners cite: gas pump nozzle stops every 10 seconds during fill-up; requires repeated manual pump handle clicks to continue fuel flow; tank does not fill at normal rate
Repairs/costs cited: Fuel tank replacement resolved the issue
Front window regulator plastic piece breakage
Plastic piece on front window regulator breaks off repeatedly. First occurrence required replacement in 2015 at $189 per side; same plastic piece broke again at later date. Dealer reports replacing approximately four window regulator assemblies per day, indicating systemic defect affecting numerous vehicles.
When: First failure 2015; recurrence at unknown later date
Symptoms owners cite: plastic piece on window regulator breaks off; window regulator malfunction
Repairs/costs cited: Both front window regulator replacements cost $189 each; plastic piece failure is recurring defect
Synthesized from 13 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had electrical trouble with your 2013 FIAT 500?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2013 FIAT 500?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 13 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 10 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 29,030 and 52,000 miles, with the median around 39,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 29,030; a quarter make it past 52,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/FIAT/500.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.