FIAT 500 problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 13 owner complaints. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
Above-average reliability for the segment. Few systemic issues on file.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 8.8/10 — above the segment average
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.
Buying a used 2017 FIAT 500? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- electrical — 3 owner reports · ~$850 to fix
- powertrain — 3 owner reports · tends to show around 18,750 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: powertrain is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 18,750 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 8.8/10 model. The priciest documented failure is powertrain (~$2,500) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2017 FIAT 500
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 2 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
After a sudden stop (no impact), the car would no longer go into or come out of gear while running. When the car is not running it will still shift normally. The repair shop initially thought it was the slave cylinder but the problem persisted. They then changed the clutch and…
There was a sudden and complete lose of steering control. Car pulled hard to the right causing a collision with a parked car. Vehicle was moving at very low rate of speed under 10 MPH. There was no way to stop the vehicle before the collision happened. In addition upon impact…
Car stopped and quickly slowed down without warning. I had very little time to steer car to the side of the road. The rbs/ABS system started slowing the car on its own. I had only been going 30 MPH, however had I been in a center lane on a freeway at 60 MPH, I would have not…
My 2017 Silver FIAT 500 pop has a defective miles odometer that flashes. The car was purchased from Tobin Fiat of Las Vegas on 8/21/2017. I test drove this car to my home for 3 days before buying it. On day 2 it starting flashing. I returned to the dealer, reported it and was…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2017 Fiat 500 reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.8 out of 10 based on 13 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2017 Fiat 500 is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2017 Fiat 500?
On the NHTSA data, the 2017 FIAT 500 does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.8/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2017 Fiat 500?
Inspect the electrical first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 3 owner complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2017 Fiat 500 a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 13 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is electrical. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2017 Fiat 500?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 3 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Fiat 500 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 2017 Fiat 500?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 13 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.