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 are now recommending replacing the inner CV axle boot. The problem described is similar in symptons to the existing reca…
2017 FIAT 500 powertrain problems
severe 3 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500
Complaints
3
Recalls
0
Crashes
1
Avg fix
$2,500
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
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 BEEN ABLE TO GET IT OFF THE ROAD.
CAR HAS MOVED OUT OF "PARK" 4 TIMES AND THE LAST TIME ROLLED DOWN MY DRIVE WAY AND HIT ANOTHER CAR. I WANT TO HAVE THIS VEHICLE RETURNED AND GET ANOTHER CAR. WE TOOK THIS VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO FOR ELECTRONIC GAUGE AND SYSTEM PROBLEMS. THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. I DON'T BELIEVE THEM ANYMORE.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2017 FIAT 500?
It's a meaningful issue. 3 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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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