VEHICLE BUYER'S GUIDE
Fiat 5002012–2019
Year-by-year buyer intelligence from NHTSA safety data — reliability, value, and which years to target or avoid.
Best Years to Buy a Fiat 500
Buyer Score combines reliability (65%) and depreciation value (35%) — higher is better.
Fiat 500 Years to Avoid
4 recalls · 264 complaints
8 reported injuries
Top issue: POWER TRAIN
2 recalls · 98 complaints
11 reported injuries
Top issue: POWER TRAIN
3 recalls · 103 complaints
4 reported injuries
Top issue: POWER TRAIN
Federal Defect Investigations
NHTSA investigations are the stage that precedes a recall. 2 past investigations into the 500 became recalls.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Data current as of October 30, 2026.
Fiat 500 — Year-by-Year Comparison
Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Reliability | Value | Buyer Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 76 | 82 | 78 | Excellent |
| 2018 | 1 | 3 | — | — | 76 | 76 | 76 | Excellent |
| 2017 | 1 | 11 | 3 | — | 68 | 69 | 68 | Excellent |
| 2016 | 3 | 12 | — | — | 67 | 62 | 65 | Excellent |
| 2015 | 2 | 74 | 1 | — | 51 | 55 | 52 | Good |
| 2014 | 2 | 98 | 11 | — | 51 | 49 | 50 | Caution |
| 2013 | 3 | 103 | 4 | — | 51 | 44 | 49 | Caution |
| 2012 | 4 | 264 | 8 | — | 51 | 40 | 47 | Avoid |
Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Deaths and injuries sourced from NHTSA complaint filings. Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.
Known Fiat 500 Problems
Most frequently reported components across all model years, from NHTSA owner complaints.
Complaint counts across all model years. Numbers indicate frequency, not severity.
Shopping by Era
How each generation of the 500 compares — best year within each era shown.
2018–Present
Modern safety tech, refreshed platforms, updated powertrains. Higher purchase price but lower reliability risk. Best pick in this era: 2019 (Buyer Score 78).
2013–2017
Mid-decade models in the depreciation sweet spot — typically 35–55% below original MSRP. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and recall completion. Best: 2017 (Buyer Score 68).
Pre-2013
Older 500 models are deeply depreciated but carry higher wear and repair risk. High mileage is common. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and verify full recall history.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best year 500 to buy?+
The 2019 Fiat 500 scores highest on our Buyer Score (78/100) — combining a reliability score of 76/100 with a value score of 82/100. It has 1 recall and 0 NHTSA complaints on record.
Which 500 years have the most problems?+
The 2012, 2014, 2013 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2012 500 leads with 4 recalls and 264 owner complaints.
What is the Buyer Score?+
The Buyer Score is a composite metric that combines reliability (65% weight) and depreciation value (35% weight). Reliability reflects recall and complaint severity. Value reflects how much of the vehicle's depreciation has already been absorbed by prior owners — a 4–6 year old vehicle typically sits in the sweet spot.
What are the most common 500 problems?+
The most frequently reported Fiat 500 issues involve: POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER. These are aggregated across all model years from NHTSA owner complaint filings. Frequency of complaints does not necessarily indicate severity.
Deep-Dive Research
A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.