fiat 500l 2014 Complaints

SERVICE BRAKES

this car has totally inconsistent brakes. i don't know if they are "brake-by-wire" electronics, but i'd bet so, and there probably needs to be a software upgrade. they cannot be modulated normally. they grab and slam themselves at one instant and the next are smooth and easy. jerks you around without warning. there is just simply a flaw and the dealer says "they are all like that",and "we hear that a lot", but there is "nothing to be done".

Reported in: DALLAS TX || Crash: N || VIN #:

POWER TRAIN

when stopped on a upward slope and i take my foot off the brake the vehicle rolls backwards 15 feet or more until i step on the brake again. it has an automatic transmission therefore this should not be happening. i would understand if the vehicle were in neutral or had a manual transmission, but being automatic this is unacceptable. this has happened several times while in slowed to stopped traffic or in parking lots. all the vehicles i have owned in the past with automatic transmissions when i ease off the brake the auto would start easing forward not rolling backward. this feels like driving a manual transmission without the need to shift gears.

Reported in: GREENWOOD IN || Crash: N || VIN #: ZFBCFACH6EZ

POWER TRAIN

first incident in jan. 2014 dead battery, second incident happened while waiting in drive through line for food. car engine began to smoke and smell horrible. people came running to me telling me to get out of car because it could blow up. steering locked . needed to start car again to put into neutral and get pushed out of the way and away from building. towed to dealership. received car 2 weeks later and was told again they never heard of this before but the clutch became engaged and stuck. had clutch, fly wheel and a few other parts replaced. i am 85 and becoming very afraid to drive this car. don't think a car that is not yet 1 year old should be acting this way and dealership seems surprised each time something happens. does something serious have to happen to me before they realize there is a true problem here.

Reported in: TARPON SPRINGS FL || Crash: N || VIN #: ZFBCFABH4EZ

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

first incident in jan. 2014 dead battery, second incident happened while waiting in drive through line for food. car engine began to smoke and smell horrible. people came running to me telling me to get out of car because it could blow up. steering locked . needed to start car again to put into neutral and get pushed out of the way and away from building. towed to dealership. received car 2 weeks later and was told again they never heard of this before but the clutch became engaged and stuck. had clutch, fly wheel and a few other parts replaced. i am 85 and becoming very afraid to drive this car. don't think a car that is not yet 1 year old should be acting this way and dealership seems surprised each time something happens. does something serious have to happen to me before they realize there is a true problem here.

Reported in: TARPON SPRINGS FL || Crash: N || VIN #: ZFBCFABH4EZ

POWER TRAIN

tl* the contact owns a 2014 fiat 500l. the contact was included in nhtsa recall campaign id number: 14v103000 (transmission shift lever). the contact stated while driving at any speed up a hill, down a hill or flat land the gears slipped forward in drive and backward while in reverse. the contact applied the brakes with force and the vehicle failed to stop. the failure was inspected, diagnosed and repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the approximate failure mileage was 250.

Reported in: HAPPY VALLEY OR || Crash: N || VIN #: ZFBCFACH6EZ

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

after asking i was told that the issue is called cabin pressure. this occurs at all speeds over 20mph the pressure interferes with your ability to hear. gives you almost a headache it hurts your ears. it occurs when a window is rolled down more then 1 inch. sometimes you can stop it by rolling down another window but sometimes you have to roll down a 3rd window to make it stop. it is worse when the window is rolled down 1/4 of the way or more.

Reported in: HOT SPRINGS AR || Crash: N || VIN #: ZFBCFADH5EZ

SEAT BELTS

went to put on safety belt and latch half would not accept the buckle. safety belt could not be worn. took car to dealership in the bay area where i was located at that day for repair.

Reported in: FRESNO CA || Crash: N || VIN #: ZFBCFABH1EZ

SERVICE BRAKES

break makes squeak noise when break. (noticed within a week of purchased) tech cannot find any problem, but heard the squeak noise. recall repaired transmission on april 15, afterward back-up camera pixel in slow motion. stereo setting not properly, need to set radio and media every time when car starts.

Reported in: ARCADIA CA || Crash: N || VIN #: ZFBCFADH2 E

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

loss of power while driving. no acceleration and etc light and engine light would come on. vehicle would need to be shut off and re-started in order to be mobile. very dangerous!!!! fiat recognized the problem and tried repeatedly with all failed attempts to repair the vehicle.

Reported in: SUGAR LAND TX || Crash: N || VIN #: ZFBCFACHXEZ

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

the gear shifter would not shift out of drive. i have had this part replaced and worked on 3 different times. in fact one of the times was for the recall. the 2 times prior to this the vehicle was inoperable and left me stranded. i have currently had the vehicle in the shop 6 times for various issues and have owned the car less than a year.

Reported in: SEATTLE WA || Crash: N || VIN #:

ENGINE

this is the second time it has happened since i bought it three weeks ago. the first time i was going through a drive through and the car just coughed and turned over and then stalled. it was five minutes before the car would start again. the second time it happened i was waiting at a light and pulled out to turn and the car just cough and stalled again. i had three men coming to move the car out of the intersection and after a few minutes the motor turned over and started again. needless to say this scared me half to death. very dangerous afraid to drive it i get nervous everytime i enter a intersection. called the dearlership this morning awaiting a call back.

Reported in: SCOTTSDALE AZ || Crash: N || VIN #:

ENGINE

auto dual dry clutch transmission. manufactured 7/2013, purchased new from dealer 1/14. car shuddered and hesitated on the test drive. told it would smooth out because it was an adaptive transmission. continued to shudder, hesitate and lurch. brought back to the dealer 3 days after purchase. the car has been in 5 times since and still is not fixed. the dealer will no longer take the car for service and said the car will not function properly during heavy, stop and go traffic and there is nothing they can do. the recall was completed but it did not help. they suggested we contact fiat customer care who has opened a case but not responded and not returning phone calls. car is unused because it is unsafe. it lurches constantly and barely misses hitting other cars in traffic. timeline: 1. test drive shuddered and hesitated, told it would get better with driving. 2. day 3 took to dealer. said it was spark plugs and changed out all plugs. car continues to stutter, clutch overheat, lurching. 3. dealer trip, they said it was "just the way the transmissions are and they're sorry but there isn't anything they can do." car continues to stop, not shift in to gear, lurch, clutch overheating. 4. received recall notice. all service performed. 5. 24 hours later, car not functioning, back to the dealer. dealer redid software installation, replaced brakes, clutch and fly wheel. 6. 48 hours later clutch overheats, nearly hits the car in front of us in traffic. dealer refuses to accept car in for service, said "this transmission will not function in heavy stop and start traffic. you need to contact fiat, there is nothing more we can do for you." 7. fiat customer care says they will open a case on may 30, 2014. no responses since. dangerous vehicle should be taken back and refunded or exchanged with a model manufactured after january 2014.

Reported in: VALLEY CENTER CA || Crash: N || VIN #: ZFBCFACH1EZ

POWER TRAIN

auto dual dry clutch transmission. manufactured 7/2013, purchased new from dealer 1/14. car shuddered and hesitated on the test drive. told it would smooth out because it was an adaptive transmission. continued to shudder, hesitate and lurch. brought back to the dealer 3 days after purchase. the car has been in 5 times since and still is not fixed. the dealer will no longer take the car for service and said the car will not function properly during heavy, stop and go traffic and there is nothing they can do. the recall was completed but it did not help. they suggested we contact fiat customer care who has opened a case but not responded and not returning phone calls. car is unused because it is unsafe. it lurches constantly and barely misses hitting other cars in traffic. timeline: 1. test drive shuddered and hesitated, told it would get better with driving. 2. day 3 took to dealer. said it was spark plugs and changed out all plugs. car continues to stutter, clutch overheat, lurching. 3. dealer trip, they said it was "just the way the transmissions are and they're sorry but there isn't anything they can do." car continues to stop, not shift in to gear, lurch, clutch overheating. 4. received recall notice. all service performed. 5. 24 hours later, car not functioning, back to the dealer. dealer redid software installation, replaced brakes, clutch and fly wheel. 6. 48 hours later clutch overheats, nearly hits the car in front of us in traffic. dealer refuses to accept car in for service, said "this transmission will not function in heavy stop and start traffic. you need to contact fiat, there is nothing more we can do for you." 7. fiat customer care says they will open a case on may 30, 2014. no responses since. dangerous vehicle should be taken back and refunded or exchanged with a model manufactured after january 2014.

Reported in: VALLEY CENTER CA || Crash: N || VIN #: ZFBCFACH1EZ

SERVICE BRAKES

while stopped in traffic in the middle lane of rt. 50 e in annapolis md, i put the car into park. the car became consumed with a strong burning odor. as traffic began to move, i shifted into drive, stepped on the gas pedal and there was no response and the oil light came on briefly. since the car had begun to roll forward, i put my foot on the brake and there was no response. i pulled the emergency brake and put the car into park and turned on the hazard lights. traffic began to get back to speed but i was broken down in the middle lane, blocking traffic. i called the state police for assistance, and the car was eventually safely towed to the dealer, johnson fiat of annapolis. the dealer had the car for 4 working days and said they could not find anything wrong with it, that they drove it for 60 miles and the problem could not be duplicated. the repair invoice notes " no warning lights on as of now, could not duplicate complaint from customer. took car for multiple test drives, no sign of brake failure, not running poorly, car just has a horrible burning smell". i accepted the car and it seems to be fine although i have lost all confidence in its safety while driving it.

Reported in: ANNAPOLIS MD || Crash: N || VIN #: ZFBCFACH7EZ

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

while stopped in traffic in the middle lane of rt. 50 e in annapolis md, i put the car into park. the car became consumed with a strong burning odor. as traffic began to move, i shifted into drive, stepped on the gas pedal and there was no response and the oil light came on briefly. since the car had begun to roll forward, i put my foot on the brake and there was no response. i pulled the emergency brake and put the car into park and turned on the hazard lights. traffic began to get back to speed but i was broken down in the middle lane, blocking traffic. i called the state police for assistance, and the car was eventually safely towed to the dealer, johnson fiat of annapolis. the dealer had the car for 4 working days and said they could not find anything wrong with it, that they drove it for 60 miles and the problem could not be duplicated. the repair invoice notes " no warning lights on as of now, could not duplicate complaint from customer. took car for multiple test drives, no sign of brake failure, not running poorly, car just has a horrible burning smell". i accepted the car and it seems to be fine although i have lost all confidence in its safety while driving it.

Reported in: ANNAPOLIS MD || Crash: N || VIN #: ZFBCFACH7EZ

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

while stopped in traffic in the middle lane of rt. 50 e in annapolis md, i put the car into park. the car became consumed with a strong burning odor. as traffic began to move, i shifted into drive, stepped on the gas pedal and there was no response and the oil light came on briefly. since the car had begun to roll forward, i put my foot on the brake and there was no response. i pulled the emergency brake and put the car into park and turned on the hazard lights. traffic began to get back to speed but i was broken down in the middle lane, blocking traffic. i called the state police for assistance, and the car was eventually safely towed to the dealer, johnson fiat of annapolis. the dealer had the car for 4 working days and said they could not find anything wrong with it, that they drove it for 60 miles and the problem could not be duplicated. the repair invoice notes " no warning lights on as of now, could not duplicate complaint from customer. took car for multiple test drives, no sign of brake failure, not running poorly, car just has a horrible burning smell". i accepted the car and it seems to be fine although i have lost all confidence in its safety while driving it.

Reported in: ANNAPOLIS MD || Crash: N || VIN #: ZFBCFACH7EZ

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

twice driving on freeway we push gas pedal down to accelerate and car does nothing, wasn't sure if it was going to stop or ?? same thing happens when we're driving and want to speed up and for example pass a car or go through an intersection. the problem has been intermittent but the longer i drive the car the more frequently it's been happening. the past couple of days a new problem: when backing up carefully when i put my foot on the brake i cannot push the brake down all the way, feels like a metal bar is blocking it. will be leaving it at the fiat dealership to fix this problem. the first problem seems like they can't fix it (taken it in 3 times). i was told by one of the managers at the last visit that a "go pedal" is suppose to fix the problem. can be installed at a place in signal hill, ca for $300.

Reported in: LOS ANGELES CA || Crash: N || VIN #: ZFBCFADH3EZ

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

twice driving on freeway we push gas pedal down to accelerate and car does nothing, wasn't sure if it was going to stop or ?? same thing happens when we're driving and want to speed up and for example pass a car or go through an intersection. the problem has been intermittent but the longer i drive the car the more frequently it's been happening. the past couple of days a new problem: when backing up carefully when i put my foot on the brake i cannot push the brake down all the way, feels like a metal bar is blocking it. will be leaving it at the fiat dealership to fix this problem. the first problem seems like they can't fix it (taken it in 3 times). i was told by one of the managers at the last visit that a "go pedal" is suppose to fix the problem. can be installed at a place in signal hill, ca for $300.

Reported in: LOS ANGELES CA || Crash: N || VIN #: ZFBCFADH3EZ

POWER TRAIN

driving to go home, vehicle won't shift and unexpected direction and loss of power causing vehicle and myself to collide with light pole. vehicle was a total loss. gas pedal stuck and transmission had very slow selections. vehicle had flashing control lights before accident occurred. my vehicle acted like it froze up and loss of power and didn't shift correctly causing accident.

Reported in: HENDERSON NV || Crash: Y || VIN #: ZFBCFABH5EZ

POWER TRAIN

tl* the contact owns a 2014 fiat 500l. the contact stated while attempting to park, the vehicle failed to shift into reverse. the vehicle was taken to a dealer. the technician diagnosed that the failure was cause by a software problem. the vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. the manufacture was made aware of the failure. the failure and current mileage was 1,000.

Reported in: GUAYNABO PR || Crash: N || VIN #: ZFBCFADH2EZ

ENGINE

10 incidents so far! 1: the check engine light went on. drove car and automatic transmission hesitates when accelerating. backfires on acceleration. 2: same issue days after 'repair' completed. this time the transmission is not shifting properly 3: same issue as #1 weeks after 'repair' completed on #2. this time the rpm's go very high when it automatically shifts or press on accelerator 4: engine makes grinding noise when shifting. dealer said noise was normal but then fixed it in incident #5. 5: grinding noise on acceleration. car will not move when shifting from park to drive. another time when shifting to drive, car went in reverse. 6: recall on the transmission. thought this would fix the problem but it continued. 7: shifted from park to drive. car went backward and hit a pole. 8: back wheels suspension has a loud noise going over bumps. left rear spring and top mount fell out of place. 9: vehicle will not shift out of park. shifter is not working at all. had to call roadside to tow it to dealership. 10: vehicle will not shift out of park again. shifter is not working at all. had to call roadside to tow to dealership. total days in the shop since 8/30/2013 through 07/18/2014 is 46+

Reported in: BALTIMORE MD || Crash: N || VIN #: ZFBCFACH7EZ

POWER TRAIN

10 incidents so far! 1: the check engine light went on. drove car and automatic transmission hesitates when accelerating. backfires on acceleration. 2: same issue days after 'repair' completed. this time the transmission is not shifting properly 3: same issue as #1 weeks after 'repair' completed on #2. this time the rpm's go very high when it automatically shifts or press on accelerator 4: engine makes grinding noise when shifting. dealer said noise was normal but then fixed it in incident #5. 5: grinding noise on acceleration. car will not move when shifting from park to drive. another time when shifting to drive, car went in reverse. 6: recall on the transmission. thought this would fix the problem but it continued. 7: shifted from park to drive. car went backward and hit a pole. 8: back wheels suspension has a loud noise going over bumps. left rear spring and top mount fell out of place. 9: vehicle will not shift out of park. shifter is not working at all. had to call roadside to tow it to dealership. 10: vehicle will not shift out of park again. shifter is not working at all. had to call roadside to tow to dealership. total days in the shop since 8/30/2013 through 07/18/2014 is 46+

Reported in: BALTIMORE MD || Crash: N || VIN #: ZFBCFACH7EZ