Problems · NHTSA complaints

2014 Fiat 500 Abarth problems

Owners filed 120 complaints about the 2014 Fiat 500 Abarth with NHTSA between Jul 2013 and Apr 2024. The most-cited component is power train (65).

Complaints
120
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
8
Reported by owners
Fires
7
Reported by owners
Injuries
8
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Power train65
  2. Electrical system21
  3. Engine19
  4. Vehicle speed control7
  5. Structure6
  6. Air bags5
  7. Steering5
  8. Exterior lighting4
  9. Electronic stability control (esc)4
  10. Wheels3
  11. Service brakes3
  12. Fuel/propulsion system2
  13. Visibility/wiper2
  14. Seat belts1

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 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20132
201415
201542
201628
201712
20188
20195
20201
20212
20222
20231
20242

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.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Power train

65 reports2 crashes3 fires
“The contact owns a 2014 Fiat 500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine and TPMS warning lights illuminated and the vehicle began to hesitate while accelerating. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the powertrain control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 4, 2024Power trainODI 11581215

Electrical system

21 reports3 fires
“the electric vehicle was previously recalled for battery malfunction but now the OBCM module malfunctioned making the vehicle unable to charge(receive power) leaving me stranded in the charging station and unable to go home. The module is the brain of the battery and should have been replaced with the battery if it's what's causing a similar issue. OBCMFAILED CAUSING BPCMAND EVCU NOT TO WAKE UP . NEED TO REPLACE OBCMAND PROGRAMTO VEHICLE”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 30, 2023Electrical system, Unknown or other, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11524421

Engine

19 reports1 crash2 fires
“On 1/24/2024 the check engine came on. I went to auto zone the same day and they check the alert. They advised the code possibly could be the spark plugs or ignition coil. The engine light went off on 2/6/2024 and I went to the dealership for them to check the code information. The code that appear PCM P0301-00 Active Cylinder 1 Misfire-”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 6, 2024EngineODI 11570365

Vehicle speed control

7 reports
“WHEN MAKING A TURN, FROM A COMPLETE STOP ONTO A ROAD THAT HAS A SLIGHT INCLINE, THE ESC LIGHT FLASHES ON THE EVIC, AND VEHICLE LOSSES ALL ACCELERATION. THIS IS ON DRY, EVEN, IN PERFECT CONDITION ROADS ACCELERATING FROM 0MPH TO 5MPH, BEFORE IT DROPS BACK DOWN TO 0MPH. HAVE ALMOST BEEN HIT 4X NOW AS CAR WILL NO LONGER ACCELERATE OR EVEN REV AS ONCOMING TRAFFIC IS COMING STRAIGHT FOR ME!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 8, 2018Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (esc)ODI 11138953

Structure

6 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FIAT 500. WHILE CLEANING THE VEHICLE, THE KEY FOB ONLY UNLOCKED THE REAR HATCH DOOR; HOWEVER THE HATCH DID NOT OPEN AND THE SPRING AND THE LATCH BECAME DETACHED FROM THE HATCH DOOR. THE HATCH NEVER OPENED AGAIN. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO EXPRESSWAY DODGE/FIAT IN EVANSVILLE, INDIANA, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. UPDATED 08/04/17*LJ *JS”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 16, 2017StructureODI 10995475

Air bags

5 reports5 crashes
“I WAS ON A SIDE STREET TURNING L ONTO A BUSY STREET. THERE WAS A LONG LARGE WHITE VAN BLOCKING MY VIEW FROM TURNING. I WAS AT A STOP SIGN. AS I STARTED TO MOVE OUT I DID LOOK BOTH WAYS FIRST. THERE WAS A RED AUTO OVER A BLOCK TO MY LEFT & RIGHT AN AUTO WAS WAY BEHIND TRACKS. WE HAVE A LONG SET OF TRACKS DUE TO BUSY STREET ON A SLANT. AS I TURN, ANOTHER CAR ON MY LEFT HIT MY CAR SO HARD THAT THE SEAT BELT DID NOT HOLD AND I WAS MOVED ALL THE WAY TO THE RIGHT OF CAR & THIS INTENSIFIED IMPACT ON MY LEFT SIDE HEAD TO LEFT DRIVER WINDOW. MY CAR WAS TOTALED. LOC MOMENTARILY, DISORIENTED, TAKEN TO ED VIA AMBULANCE, 2 INCH LACERATION TO SCALP. THIS INITIATED MANY SYMPTOMS OF ILLNESS THAT ED NEVER KNEW ABOUT. CT SHOWED IRREGULARITIES TO LEFT BRAIN, I WAS UNABLE TO WRITE LEGIBLE, MY TEXTS WERE NOT UNDERSTANDABLE, MY SISTER STATED SHE HATED TO CALL BECAUSE I WASN'T MAKING SENSE & I FELL CONTINUOUSLY FOR NO REASON. I CAUSED NUMEROUS BROKEN RIBS DUE TO FALLS & ONCE HAD TO BE HOSPITALIZED DUE TO RIB SEPARATING FROM STERNUM. MY PSYCHIATRIST PUT ME ON ADDITIONAL MEDICATION DUE TO DEPRESSION. HAD PT TO INCREASE MUSCLE TONE IN LEGS . JUST HAD A RADICAL MASTECTOMY 5 MO PREVIOUSLY…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 28, 2018Air bags, Seat beltsCrash reportedODI 11163827
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026

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