FIAT 500L problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 2 owner complaints. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
Limited NHTSA data — only 2 complaints on file. The score reflects what's reported, but a small sample skews easily.
Only 2 NHTSA complaints on file — too few for a confident reliability call. Could be a clean record or just thin data.
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
When you start up the car for the first time and began to drive it won't shift out of first gear for several blocks. The transmission strains to shift into 2nd. The transmission overall takes a while to get up to speed on the the expressways, it's hard to enter at the…
The issue looks similar to Fiat 500l 2014 recall for transmission software. The problem happens while driving for the first time of the day. The automatic gear doesn't shifts even if the speed goes higher. It take almost a mile or 2 for the transmission to function properly. I…
Common questions
Is the 2016 Fiat 500L reliable?
Limited NHTSA data. Only 2 owner complaints have been filed for the 2016 Fiat 500L, which is not enough for a meaningful reliability score. Active recalls (if any) are listed on this page and remain authoritative — those are verified defects regardless of complaint volume. For a confident reliability read we look for at least 10 owner complaints in the federal database.
Should you avoid the 2016 Fiat 500L?
Only 2 NHTSA complaints on file — too few for a confident reliability call. Could be a clean record or just thin data. We don't issue a buy/avoid verdict on the 2016 FIAT 500L without a meaningful complaint sample — doing so off a handful of filings would be guesswork.
What should I check before buying a used 2016 Fiat 500L?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on the 2016 Fiat 500L to flag a standout failure pattern. Run the VIN for open recalls — those are free to fix regardless of warranty — get a standard pre-purchase inspection, and ask the seller for service records.
Is the 2016 Fiat 500L a good used car to buy?
Hard to say from federal data alone — only 2 owner complaints have been filed. Lean on the recall list above, a pre-purchase inspection, and a vehicle-history report on the specific VIN. Our data tells you what the model is known for; a history report tells you what that exact car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2016 Fiat 500L?
No problem area has crossed our reporting threshold yet, which is a good sign for this vehicle.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
Major repair items haven't been flagged often enough on this vehicle to single one out.
How do I check if my Fiat 500L has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2016 Fiat 500L?
Hard to say from NHTSA data alone with only 2 complaints on file. A quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. The decision comes down to your specific situation: vehicle cost, miles on it, how long you plan to keep it, and whether you can absorb a $3K–$8K repair without straining cashflow. With limited public data on this vehicle, lean on the recall list above and check owner forums before committing.