Problems · NHTSA complaints
2017 Fiat 5 Series problems
Owners filed 31 complaints about the 2017 Fiat 5 Series with NHTSA between Oct 2017 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (11).
Complaints
31
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Electrical system11
- Engine8
- Structure5
- Service brakes4
- Power train4
- Steering2
- Vehicle speed control1
- Air bags1
- Forward collision avoidance1
- Fuel/propulsion system1
- Visibility1
- Seat belts1
- Electronic stability control (esc)1
- Other / unknown5
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 Oct 29, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
2
4
4
3
4
3
2
4
1
4
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 4 |
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
Electrical system
11 reports
“1. The Body Control Module (BCM) failed internally. The dealership diagnosed the BCM as having an internal failure and replaced it. The original BCM was removed during the repair, so I do not know whether it is still available for inspection. 2. The vehicle became underivable & I was unable to shut the vehicle off. Multiple electrical functions stopped working, including the power windows & the steering wheel was frozen. IAAA dispatched a specialty tow truck, & the tow operator was also unable to shut the vehicle off. The vehicle had to be towed to the dealership with the engine running. The vehicle was also leaking fluid at the time. I was concerned about the inability to shut the vehicle off and the loss of normal vehicle functions creating a safety hazard. 3. Yes. The Fiat dealership inspected the vehicle and diagnosed an internal failure of the Body Control Module & replaced the BCM. After replacement, the dealership identified a separate problem with the RF Hub. 4. The vehicle was inspected by the Fiat dealership. It was also handled by AAA roadside assistance and a specialty tow operator (not police or insurance rep.). 5. Prior to the vehicle becoming…”
Engine
8 reports
“The contact owns a 2017 Fiat 500. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the check engine, TPMS, and several unknown warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle was jerking and making an abnormal sound. The failure was recurrent. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who was unable to duplicate or determine the cause of the failure. The dealer was contacted by phone. The failure mileage was approximately 15,873.”
Structure
5 reports1 crash
“February 2023 the Fiat breaks and transmission locked up and all of the lights on the dashboard started flashing in the middle of the road. filed claim with geico. turned out to be a leak somewhere in the body frame of the car which leaked water into the RF module of the car causing water damage inside the RF module causing the car transmission to lock up emergency brake lockup and all lights flashing and horn beeping uncontrollably. Geico paid Fiat dealership to replace RF module but not the leak. again in September 2023 this happened in the middle of busy [XXX]. the car completely locked up and screeched to a halt on the interstate nearly causing a crash. The car was taken back to the same dealership. they determined the RF module had water damage again caused by a leak. Geico refused to pay anything for repairs this time. after speaking with Fiat customer service representative, Fiat agreed to pay for diagnosis of leak, location and repair of leak and replacement of RF module. [XXX] the dealership said they found the leak. The leak was located somewhere on the back portion of the car. there was a crack on both sides of the back portion of the car. [XXX] the…”
Service brakes
4 reports
“Just before coming to a stop the brakes grab and jerk the car. The brakes work normally otherwise.”
Power train
4 reports1 crash1 related recall
“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 recall on 2012-2016 Fiat 500s and the partial recall on 2017 Fiat 500s. It seems logical that all of these issues are somehow related to a flaw in the design or manufacturing.”
Steering
2 reports1 crash
“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 THE SEATBELT DID NOT LOCK CAUSING THE DRIVER TO BE TOSSED TO THE WINDSHIELD. DRIVER WAS WEARING SEAT BELT. INCIDENT OCCURRED AT VERY LOW RATE OF SPEED.*DT*JB CAIR# XXXXXXXX METLIFE CLAIM #XXXXXXXXXX 'PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.