Which versions of used Fiat 500 are the most reliable? (2023)

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ThisDecreeThe 500 was a small, stylish city car that had earned a cult following for its retro-inspired design, compact size and dynamic personality. Originally started in Italy in 1957,Fiat 500, or affectionately known as the "Cinquecento", is one of the most iconic models of the Italian car manufacturer Fiat. A modern version of the car was introduced again in 2007 as a tribute to its classic predecessor.

Known for its fuel efficiency, this iconic car is a great choice for those concerned about fuel economy. In addition, it has moved into the electric age, offering a fully electric version, the 500e.

As with many cars, some vintages are more reliable than others. This is especially important if you are buying a used model. You don't want to face expensive repair bills when you should be saving money by buying a used car. This is certainly true of the Fiat 500.

Things to avoid in the Fiat 500

Any prospective buyer should avoid it for a few years. In today's post, we bring you some of the worstThings to avoid in the Fiat 500.

In today's article, we take you through the updated generation of this Italian classic, spot the most reliable vintage Fiat 500s and pick out the ones you should avoid.

2012-2019 Fiat Top 500

The design of the Fiat 500 is one of its most iconic features. With its rounded, retro styling and compact size, it's a car that has no problem standing out. The relaunched Fiat 500 combined agile handling, a sharp manual gearbox and a powerful engine. Unfortunately, the 2019 model year of the Fiat 500 has been discontinued, much to the dismay of fans.

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Avoid: 2012 Fiat 500

The relaunch of the Fiat 500 was supposed to generate excitement, but ended up disappointing critics and customers alike. The 2012 Fiat 500 received mixed reviews from owners and car critics, with faults including poor acceleration, disappointing fuel economy (with the automatic transmission), and poor long-term reliability.

According to CarComplaints.com,Fiat 500 2012More than 560 complaints were received and four recalls were made. As a result, it became the recipient of the "Beware of old cars" badge, which is reserved for vehicles with problems. This is not surprising given that this was the first year the model was brought back.

At the same time, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received370 ComplaintsFor this model year. The problem that received half the complaints was the drivetrain. According to one owner, they had problems getting locked out of the park three times. The gear lever stuck stubbornly in park and could only be disengaged by hand. Whenever the car is in motion, the gear must be manually shifted from Park.

Given these various reliability issues, we recommend that you avoid the 2012 Fiat 500 at all costs.

Avoid: 2013 Fiat 500

The 2013 Fiat 500 is better than its debut model, but it's still a relatively unreliable compact car. ThisNational Road Safety Agency2013 Fiat 500 models received approximately 146 complaints and four recalls.

Unfortunately, most of the complaints are still related to the faulty drivetrain. A frustrated car owner shared his experience that while driving home, they put into reverse (5 speed manual transmission) and then the shifter cable broke. As a result, their car can no longer be disengaged from reverse.

In contrast, Consumer Reports also took a less favorable view, giving it an insignificant reliability score1.0 / 5.0 for this model year. The model also didn't score highly in owner satisfaction, earning just 2.0 out of 5.0. The Fiat 500 was deficient in many key areas, with the main points of failure including the engine, transmission, drivetrain, brakes and body materials.

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Purchased: 2014 Fiat 500

Fortunately, the Fiat 500 that followed was a big improvement in reliability. In this way,car complaintThe Fiat 500 received a total of 164 complaints and 3 recalls. Many of the problems reported were minor and not widespread, so it qualifies as the most reliable Fiat 500 of the year.

However, don't get your hopes up for performance. The 2014 Fiat 500 has a four-cylinder MultiAir engine that produces just 101 horsepower. If you want more power, you have a choice of two turbocharged engines: one that produces 135 hp and the Abarth engine that produces 160 hp.

Is it the most reliable Fiat 500 of the year? Probably not, but overall, it's still a solid car worth buying.

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Avoid: 2015 Fiat 500

The combination of low reliability ratings and poor performance in crash tests makes it difficult for us to recommend the 2015 Fiat 500. One of the culprits for its poor reliability rating is the transmission. Many owners of the automatic version have reportedtransmission problem, including difficulty shifting or gear mesh problems.

According to the NHTSA complaint, the transmission would jerk or refuse to engage when using cruise control or accelerating. In some cases, the transmission will be damaged and reverse will not be possible. Apparently, this is a known issue with Fiat's CravenSpeed ​​shift arm, which is used in Fiat 500 models from 2011 to 2019.

In addition, some owners have reported minor issues with the interior's build quality and materials, such as rattling or prematurely worn trim pieces. Transmission problems can be a headache, so don't hesitate to cross the 2015 Fiat 500 off your list.

Market: 2018 Fiat 500

If you're looking to buy a refreshed Fiat 500, we highly recommend the 2018 model. By this point, Fiat had resolved many of the reliability and quality issues of the previous model. The 2018 Fiat 500 is available in coupe and convertible trims and gets some standard upgrades, such as a rearview camera and a base 1.4-liter quad-turbo engine. This makes this compact car even more fun to drive.

Of course, the 2018 Fiat 500 stands out with its unique, elegant European design. In addition, the compact size is not only attractive but also practical, making it easy to park and maneuver the car on busy city streets. However, the interior materials could be better.

Ultimately, long-term reliability shouldn't be an issue, as we've seen almost no complaints and no major recalls (aside from a broken shifter shaft). For the newer models, the 2018 version is the most reliable Fiat 500 of the year.

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