2013 Fiat 5 Series electrical system problems

“Dear NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, I am filing this formal complaint to report the sale and interstate delivery of a dangerously defective and noncompliant vehicle sold to me by Arlington Auto Group, located at 3621 Columbia Pike, Arlington, Virginia. On [XXX], I purchased a 2013 Fiat 500 (VIN: [XXX] ). The vehicle was delivered to my home in Englewood, Colorado on [XXX]. Within 24 hours of taking possession of the car—and having driven fewer than 100 miles—I had the vehicle inspected by a certified mechanic at The Auto Repair Place in Boulder, Colorado. Their findings revealed multiple severe safety hazards, including: Rear brake pads completely worn to metal-on-metal contact Two bolts missing from the rear passenger wheel A destroyed and leaking turbocharger, which increases the risk of engine failure Inoperable tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) No Virginia safety inspection documentation provided Additionally, the car had been illegally tampered with to bypass emissions systems, including removal of the catalytic converter and installation of sensor bypass wiring, which also violates federal law and emissions standards. This vehicle was…”

“Car break shift lock stuck in park with various different elements illuminating on the dash. Must manually override break shift lock to put car in neutral, start the car, and put it in drive or reverse. Will no go over 40 mph. Power steering will unexpectedly go out in addition to fuel cut off, ABS, and electronic stability control also stopping. Have had brake light switch replaced for temporary fix, and replaced the battery. Has passed multiple 20 point inspections with no visible damage. The same problem has reoccurred and the fiat mechanics only idea is to replace the entire shifter column and see if any other codes are appearing.”

“Ed Payne Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM 2101 E Expressway 83, Weslaco, TX 78599 +1 956-272-1902 For the past years, I have complained to the car dealer I take my vehicle into that there is an issue with the fuel tank. I have been told that other Fiat car owners have had the same issues as I. Issues, the 2013 - 2014 Fait Sport 500, tank issue, when filling up the tank, the tank does not fill up normal. When filling up the gas take, the gas handle stops every 10 sec, I have to keep clicking on the gas pump handle every 10 sec. To keep the flow of gas to fill the gas tank up. I was told by the car dealer that the issue was the gas tank on the Fait, not the gas pump machine. When adding a new gas tank to the vehicle, the problem stop, and the owners were able to fill the gas tank without any issues. I keep having headlights, blinkers, stop lights burn out all the time. I believe there's an issue with the wiring in the Fait Sport 500.”

“CEL ALERT: P0071 OBD II ERROR AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE. THE FORUMS ARE FULL OF PEOPLE TRYING TO FIND OUT HOW TO FIX THIS. THERE IS A FAULTY THERMOSTAT IN THE PASSENGER SIDE MIRROR THAT REQUIRES THE ENTIRE MIRROR TO BE ( $117 FROM AUTO ZONE ) A 25 THERMOSTAT IS THE ONLY THING THAT SHOULD ACTUALLY NEED REPLACEMENT”

“THE WIRE HARNESS GOING TO THE TRUNK LID IS DEFECTIVE. THE WIRES BREAK AND THE DEALER REPAIRS THE BREAKS WITH A SPLICE WHICH DOESN'T LAST. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR THIS DEFECT IN 2017. THEY PERFORMED THE FACTORY REPAIR PER THE SERVICE MANAGER CHARLIE THIBAULT. I EXPRESSED CONCERNS FOR THE REPAIR SINCE IT WAS SOMETHING I COULD HAVE PERFORMED. HE SAID IF THE REPAIR FAILS THEY WILL REVIEW AND DECIDE IF IT WILL BE COVERED IN THE FUTURE. THE REPAIR FAILED IN 2020, LESS THAN 20,000 MILES SINCE THE ORIGINAL REPAIR. THE CAR IS NOT DRIVEN IN THE WINTER AND IT IS STORED IN THE GARAGE SO THIS IS NOT DUE TO HARSH CONDITIONS. I CONTACTED FIAT CHRYSLER AUTOMOBILES (FCA) TO SEEK THEIR ASSISTANCE. THEY SUGGESTED REQUESTING A SERVICE APPOINTMENT TO GET THE DEALERSHIP INVOLVED. I DID THIS AND FCA REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THEY SAID THE REPAIR HAS A 2 YEAR WARRANTY. WIRING HARNESSES SHOULD NOT FAIL EVERY 2 YEARS. LOOKING AT THE FIAT FORUMS THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON DEFECT WITH THIS VEHICLE. THE DEFECT CAN RESULT IN A SURCHARGEABLE OFFENSE IN MA OR AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE LIGHTS NOT WORKING OR POSSIBLY A FIRE WHEN THE HARNESS BREAKS. THE ATTACHED PICTURES SHOW THE…”

“LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER WHILE I DRIVE AND I HAVE TO PULL OVER ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO FIAT AND THEY HAVE NOT FIXED THE ISSUE. FIAT HAS A RECALL ON MY TYPE OF CAR EXCEPT FCA US LLC SAID MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID # 16V302000. I DO NOT WANT PASSENGERS TO BE IN MY CAR BECAUSE OF THE RISK OF DEATH. THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT DANGER TO MYSELF AND OTHERS.”