Fiat 500 ReliabilityAll Years Ranked (2012–2018)
Side-by-side AutoScores, risk levels, and owner-cost projections for every Fiat 500 we've analyzed. Identify the best years to buy, the ones to avoid, and the problems that follow the 500 across generations.
Average AutoScore
61/100
Best Year
2017 Fiat 500
Score 68
Weakest Year
2012 Fiat 500
Score 48
Every Fiat 500 Ranked
Sorted by AutoScore. Each link opens the full year-specific report.
A spirited city car with undeniable character, but one that requires a committed owner to navigate its known reliability challenges.
Top risks: MultiAir System (Engine) · Automatic Transmission · Electrical System
A stylish urban companion that requires patience and a budget for its eccentricities.
Top risks: Electrical System · Manual Transmission & Clutch · Suspension & Steering
A quirky city car that delivers smiles but demands patience and a dedicated maintenance budget.
Top risks: Electrical System · Engine (1.4L MultiAir) · HVAC System
A style icon with a quirky personality and a higher-than-average chance of needing unexpected, costly repairs, especially post-60,000 miles.
Top risks: Electrical System · Automatic Transmission (6-speed) · Interior & HVAC
A charming but temperamental city car that demands careful selection and a robust repair budget, especially with the automatic gearbox.
Top risks: Automatic Transmission · Electrical System · MultiAir Engine Actuator
A fun-to-drive city car that requires a discerning owner prepared for its unique reliability characteristics.
Top risks: Electrical System · Engine (1.4L MultiAir Turbo) · Transmission (Manual & Automatic)
A quirky city car with undeniable charm, but its reliability is often compromised by persistent electrical and engine issues that demand proactive ownership.
Top risks: Electrical System · Engine (1.4L MultiAir) · Manual Transmission & Clutch
Problems That Follow the 500 Across Generations
Issues that appear in the top-3 risks across multiple model years — the cost of ownership you can actually predict.
Electrical System
Appears in 7 model years · 100% of generations
Engine (1.4L MultiAir)
Appears in 2 model years · 29% of generations
Manual Transmission & Clutch
Appears in 2 model years · 29% of generations
Automatic Transmission
Appears in 2 model years · 29% of generations
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