Research

2020 Fiat 5 SeriesRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 2 owner complaints for the 2020 Fiat 5 Series. Most complaints involve air bags (1) and electrical system (1).

Combined MPG
—
No EPA rating found
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Jul 2024
Owner complaints
2
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
—
No EPA estimate
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: frontal

Free remedy

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2024 Alfa Romeo Giulia, 2018-2025 Alfa Romeo Stelvio, 2019-2023 Fiat 500X, Jeep Renegade, and 2024 Fiat 500E vehicles. A seat belt buckle switch sensor may be improperly connected, preventing the front seat air bag from deploying as intended.

Air bagsReported Jul 3, 2024NHTSA 24V510000

Service brakes

Free remedy

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2020 Jeep Renegade and Fiat 500X vehicles. The right rear brake caliper could have been fractured during the casting process.

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Dec 19, 2019NHTSA 19V909000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 29, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

2 complaints filed with NHTSA · Aug 2020 – Jul 2025
  1. Air bags1
  2. Electrical system1
  3. Electronic stability control (esc)1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each 5 Series model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
20111
2012396
2013182
2014323
2015126
2016174
201731
201816
20193
20202
20222
20245
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 29, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

1 report
“I have an open recall related to the activation system for the airbags. I have not had an event related to the recall at this time, however I am stationed in South Korea as an active duty member. My car is with me in South Korea, and there are no Fiat dealerships in country. I am set for a permanent change of station to Suffolk England, where there are Fiat dealerships in country. The shipper will not take the car with an open recall without a letter from Fiat advising that the recall cannot be addressed at this time due to the lack of dealerships in the country. I have contacted Fiat multiple times and have had case numbers assigned ([XXX]and [XXX]) without any attempts by Fiat made to respond. The recall cannot be addressed while I am in Korea, so without a letter, Fiat is essentially making it impossible for the recall to be addressed. I have spent the last 5 weeks trying to get someone to give me guidance on the issue.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 10, 2025Air bagsODI 11672574

Electrical system

1 report
“DE EL MAP SENSOR. _SE PRO7EDIO A REEMPLAZAR EL MAP SENSOR. CODIGO VOLVIO A PRESENTARSE. DIAGNOST7CO INDICA QUE SI EL CODIGO VULVE REEMPLAZAR EL THROTTLE. SE PR~CEDIO . REEMPLAZAR EL THRTTLE DE LA UNIDAD. SE PROCEDIO A CORRER UNIDAD. UNIDAD NO VOLVIO A PRESENTAR CONDICION. UNIDAD PREPARADA **************************************************** D GENERAL CONCERN #3 [CI UNIDAD LE PRENDIO AVISO DE DRIVE MODE UNAVALIBLE] VE VER COMENTARIOS POR EL TECNICO 3024 CPF . 0.00 REFERENTE A LA LINEA #C UNIDAD PREPARADA. **************************************************** E** COURTESY LOANER CAR, SE ORIENTO AL CLIENTE SOBRE LOS TERMINOS, CONDICIONES Y RESPONSABILIDAD. UNA VEZ LISTO SU VEHICULO DEVOLVERA LA UNIDAD EN UN TERMINO MAXIMO DEL PROXIMO DIALABORABLE LUEGO DE LA NOTIFICACION. SE BRINDO AUTO DE CORTESIA FIAT S00X GP335561 GRACIAS AL DEPT DE VENTAS FIAT ALFA ROMEO DE SAN JUAN. CAUSE: LOANER AGREEMENT OK. LOANER COURTESY LOANER CAR, SE ORIENTO AL CLIENTE SOBRE LOS TERMINOS, CONDICIONES Y RESPONSABILIDAD. UNA VEZ LISTO SU VEHICULO DEVOLVERA LA UNIDAD EN UN TERMINO MAXIMO DEL PROXIMO DIA LABORABLE LUEGO DE LA NOTIFICACION. 3024 CPF ***************************…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 25, 2020Electrical system, Electronic stability control (esc)ODI 11351196

Electronic stability control (esc)

1 report
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 2026
04 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2020 Fiat 5 Series as of Oct 29, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 29, 2026Vehicle 14285Vehicle 14262
05 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
07 —FAQ

2020 5 Series questions

How many recalls does the 2020 Fiat 5 Series have?

2 safety recalls as of Oct 29, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2020 Fiat 5 Series problems?

Owners filed 2 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (1), electrical system (1), electronic stability control (esc) (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 29, 2026