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full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 FIAT 500 engine problems
moderate 10 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine 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.
Water Quality When Mixed With Engine Coolant
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗wiTECH Small Leak Verification Test (SLVT) - P0456-EVAP SYSTEM SMALL LEAK
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗If a Mopar oil filter is not available, use a filter that meets or exceeds USCAR36 specification and is compatible with semi and full synthetic oils.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Issue involves overheating, running hot, coolant leaks and related symptoms after a Mopar replacement engine has been installed in the vehicle.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Ten owners report engine failures ranging from burnt valves and oil starvation to sudden power loss at highway speed. The most recurring issues are burnt or damaged exhaust valves (narratives #1, #2) that cause violent shaking, misfire, and loss of power; several required full engine replacement. Oil-related failures—excessive consumption, low pressure, stuck valves—appear in narratives #2, #5, #8, and #9, with some owners discovering oil pressure sensors, gaskets, and valve actuator assemblies failed before high-mileage wear would be expected.
One owner's vehicle stalled unexpectedly at 50 mph after a dealership left an intake/PCV port uncapped during service (narrative #3). Diagnostic delays plague several owners: narrative #6 had four unsuccessful service visits; narrative #5 spent $2,500 after a misdiagnosed EVAP leak masked an oil pressure sensor failure. A clutch pressure plate wore to bare metal before 25K miles (narrative #4), suggesting premature wear. Oil leaks—main seal, valve cover, vacuum pump—contaminated the starter in narrative #10. Owners report check engine lights, shaking, knocking, strange exhaust noise, and sudden stalls as warning signs, sometimes progressing to complete engine failure within hours or days.
Same FIAT 500 engine reports on nearby years: 2012
Failure modes owners describe
Burnt/Damaged Exhaust Valves
Multiple complaints describe exhaust valves burning out or failing, causing cylinder misfires and engine shaking. Narrative #1 explicitly documents three cylinders (1, 2, 3) with burnt exhaust valves requiring replacement; dealership also had another customer vehicle with the same issue simultaneously. Narrative #2 references a stuck oil valve in cylinder 3 leading to misfire and loss of oil pressure, with engine replacement recommended.
When: Varied mileage; narrative #1 indicates highway driving; narrative #2 involved oil consumption issue first detected after month of normal driving
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shaking or violent shaking; Strong knocking noise from engine; Check engine light illuminated and blinking; Engine misfire on one or more cylinders; Exhaust making strange noise; Loss of power
Codes mentioned: Cylinder misfire codes, Oil pressure codes
Repairs/costs cited: Narrative #1: Exhaust valve replacement at dealership. Narrative #2: Engine replacement recommended due to cost of investigation vs. replacement
Excessive Oil Consumption
Narrative #2 describes abnormally high oil consumption requiring oil change and Fiat's mandatory 750-mile oil consumption test protocol. Owner returned car after test with same shaking symptoms; dealership found low oil pressure and recommended engine replacement due to stuck oil valve.
When: Detected after approximately one month of normal driving
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shaking; Exhaust making noise; Very low oil level; Low oil pressure warning light; Engine misfire
Codes mentioned: Low oil pressure codes
Repairs/costs cited: Oil change performed; engine replacement ultimately required
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Fiat protocol: 750-mile oil consumption test
Intake/PCV System Service Error
Narrative #3 reports a port in the intake/PCV system left uncapped after dealership service in 2024. Mechanic apparently confused the vacuum port with a 'vent,' allowing unmetered air into engine. This disrupted air/fuel mixture and caused sudden stall at highway speed.
When: Occurred during service in 2024; stall event in June 2025
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle sudden stall without warning at highway speed; Disrupted air/fuel mixture
Repairs/costs cited: Port needed to be properly capped; dealership admitted to leaving it uncapped
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership acknowledged the uncapped vent issue in written documentation
Engine Tapping Noise / Internal Engine Damage
Narrative #4 describes tapping noise from engine compartment requiring full engine replacement. Simultaneously, clutch pressure plate was found worn to metal. Owner with manual transmission experience states never had clutch problems in other vehicles and notes multiple complaints online for clutch pressure plate wear at low mileage (11K–25K miles).
When: Tapping noise occurred before engine arrival July 20, 2015; engine replacement initiated
Symptoms owners cite: Tapping sound from engine compartment; Clutch pressure plate worn to metal
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replacement required; clutch pressure plate replacement not covered under manufacturer warranty
EVAP Leak with Misdiagnosis / Multiple Internal Failures
Narrative #5 documents check engine light initially showing EVAP leak code; mechanic suspected gas cap issue and found no leak. Code returned weeks later, but then vehicle began shuddering during deceleration and running poorly. Dealership diagnostic revealed three or more codes not readable on standard scanner. Repair included oil pressure sensor replacement, gasket repairs, and blown valve actuator assembly. Total repair cost $2,500.
When: Less than 45K miles; well-maintained vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light for EVAP leak code; Vehicle shudders while coming to stop; Engine running odd/poorly; Loss of power
Codes mentioned: EVAP leak code, Oil pressure sensor code, Additional codes readable only at dealership
Repairs/costs cited: Oil pressure sensor replaced; gaskets replaced; valve actuator assembly replaced; total cost $2,500
Unexplained Deceleration / Power Loss
Narrative #6 reports vehicle independently decelerating while driving at approximately 50 mph. Upon restart, failure recurred. Dealership was unable to diagnose the issue despite servicing the vehicle four times. Manufacturer was notified. Failure occurred at very low mileage (4,600 miles).
When: Approximately 4,600 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle independently decelerates without driver input; Failure recurs after restart
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle serviced four times without diagnosis or resolution
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was notified of recurring failure
Sudden Loss of Power After Check Engine Light
Narrative #8 describes sudden onset of check engine light followed within two minutes by complete loss of power and vehicle shutoff. Car had oil change less than three weeks prior with no prior problems. After towing home, engine shakes with noises when running but will not drive.
When: Less than three weeks after oil change; owner had vehicle for two years
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illumination; Sudden loss of power; Complete engine shutdown while driving; Engine shaking when running; Engine noise; Vehicle unable to drive
Codes mentioned: Check engine code
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed; remains unable to drive
Low Oil Pressure / Engine Failure
Narrative #9 reports low oil pressure warning light illumination despite adequate oil level. This led to loss of power and complete engine failure requiring engine replacement at dealership.
When: <UNKNOWN>
Symptoms owners cite: Low oil pressure warning light; Loss of power; Engine failure
Codes mentioned: Low oil pressure code
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replacement required
Multiple Oil Leaks (Main Seal, Valve Cover, Vacuum Pump)
Narrative #10 reports three separate oil leaks: main seal leak, valve cover leak, and vacuum pump leak. Leaked oil spread onto the starter and caused starter failure.
When: <UNKNOWN>
Symptoms owners cite: Oil leaking from main seal; Oil leaking from valve cover; Oil leaking from vacuum pump; Starter failure secondary to oil contamination
Repairs/costs cited: Main seal, valve cover gasket, and vacuum pump repairs/replacement needed; starter replacement required
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had engine 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 engine problem on the 2013 FIAT 500?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 10 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 10 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 47,078 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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.