Message flashing "service power steering, hill climb and ESC" appears on an average of once a month for the last few years. No loss of control yet, but it came on three starts in a row for the first time. Usually goes away with a second start. Making an appointment with a dealer (Putnam) in Burlingame, Ca to diagnose. $250 to scan and who knows how much to repair.
2014 FIAT 500 steering problems
moderate 6 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700
Complaints
6
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$700
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE AT INTERSTATE SPEED THE STEERING MECHANISM TENDS TO "HANG UP" BUT WITH EXTRA EFFORT YOU CAN STEER THROUGH IT. THIS HAPPENS RANDOMLY & SOMETIMES REQUIRES A LOT OF EXTRA STEERING EFFORT. SINCE MY NEAREST DEALER HERE IN EAST GALESBURG, IL IS 40+ MILES AWAY & I WAS TAKING A TRIP TO FLORIDA, I EISKED THE STEERING ISSUE & AFTER ARRIVAL IN FLORIDA TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER I…
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2014 FIAT 500?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 6 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering 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 steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering 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.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. 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.
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