Problems · NHTSA complaints
2014 Fiat 5 Series problems
Owners filed 323 complaints about the 2014 Fiat 5 Series with NHTSA between Jul 2013 and Jul 2026. The most-cited component is power train (193).
Complaints
323
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
16
Reported by owners
Fires
12
Reported by owners
Injuries
11
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Power train193
- Electrical system58
- Engine50
- Vehicle speed control27
- Steering15
- Service brakes13
- Electronic stability control (esc)13
- Air bags12
- Fuel/propulsion system12
- Structure12
- Exterior lighting6
- Wheels4
- Suspension3
- Visibility/wiper3
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
2
44
50
31
30
36
33
23
13
12
14
15
17
3
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 44 |
| 2015 | 50 |
| 2016 | 31 |
| 2017 | 30 |
| 2018 | 36 |
| 2019 | 33 |
| 2020 | 23 |
| 2021 | 13 |
| 2022 | 12 |
| 2023 | 14 |
| 2024 | 15 |
| 2025 | 17 |
| 2026 | 3 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Power train
193 reports5 crashes8 fires5 related recalls
“Will not pass emissions due to sensors not going into "ready" state. We have taken it to 4 different mechanics and we were told that the abs module is not communicating. So we replaced it and still nothing. Now we are told that the PCM is not storing memory. There have been no lights illuminated on the dash this whole time, and no codes to determine the underlying electrical issue. With issues like these the car can stall, get stuck in gear, no Abs could cause a crash and not to mention once again will not pass emissions testing due to these issues. The issues have been confirmed by a mechanic at an independent service center. Again, no warming lights or codes, or pending codes for the issues listed above.”
Electrical system
58 reports1 crash4 fires3 related recalls
“I was driving my car down a busy road when I approached a red light and slowed to a stop. I kept my foot on the brake and the car in drive until the light turned green. Then, I tried to use the gas pedal without success and got an error message about needing to switch the gear to neutral. I was stuck in the road, unable to make the drive or neutral options work with the gas. Then, I tried switching my car into park and turning it off and back on again. It flashed on the "P" several times before I turned it off and refused to switch to the driving gear when I turned it back on. I had to put it in neutral and have strangers help push my vehicle off the road into a parking lot. The incident occurred on a busy street in the middle of a holiday weekend afternoon and caused tons of traffic and inconvenience and honking and stress.”
Engine
50 reports1 crash2 fires
“The transmission went out and radiator fluid temp high light came on. Fiat started to not be able to shift or too easily shifted by itself. The safety of others and myself were at risk because the car could have stopped or switched into other gears on the road and caused an accident.”
Vehicle speed control
27 reports1 crash
“Issues with shifting out of park. Random acceleration, stalling, lagging, & jerking while on the road & in full speed traffic. When took car to dealership was told issues with my PCM. PCM had been recalled & fixed with previous owner in 2017. Now the second time having a PCM issue, couldn't do anything with the already fixed recall so i was forced to pay almost 2,000. Now still leaving me with the same issues. Cruise control accelerates on its own, almost causing accident with other cars on highway. Will be going 60 in traffic & it will randomly start to decrease in speed while foot is fully on gas. Possible throttle body issue, RMPS rev up to red while only going 35mph.”
Steering
15 reports
“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.”
Service brakes
13 reports4 crashes
“While traveling on a PA interstate, I hit the brakes to avoid hitting a vehicle in front of me and the wheels locked up. The anti-lock system appeared to not work on my Fiat 500c. I hard steered L and avoided a head on collision hitting the trailer in front of me on the passenger side front of the car.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.