Fiat 500 Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy
Every Fiat 500 model year (2012–2019) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, deaths, and injuries. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.
Fiat 500 Years to Avoid
2 recalls · 262 complaints
8 reported injuries
Top issue: POWER TRAIN
Problem score: 284
3 recalls · 98 complaints
11 reported injuries
Top issue: POWER TRAIN
Problem score: 129
2 recalls · 101 complaints
4 reported injuries
Top issue: POWER TRAIN
Problem score: 115
Best Fiat 500 Years to Buy
1 recall · 0 complaints
Main area: No significant complaints
Problem score: 3
1 recall · 3 complaints
Main area: SEATS
Problem score: 6
1 recall · 9 complaints
Main area: POWER TRAIN
Problem score: 18
Found the right year? Verify that specific 500 with a free VIN report.
Fiat 500 — Year-by-Year Problem Report
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Problem Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 3 | Excellent |
| 2018 | 1 | 3 | — | — | 6 | Excellent |
| 2017 | 1 | 9 | 3 | — | 18 | Excellent |
| 2016 | 3 | 12 | — | — | 21 | Excellent |
| 2015 | 3 | 74 | 1 | — | 85 | Good |
| 2014 | 3 | 98 | 11 | — | 129 | Caution |
| 2013 | 2 | 101 | 4 | — | 115 | Caution |
| 2012 | 2 | 262 | 8 | — | 284 | Avoid |
All 8 model years shown. Deaths and injuries from NHTSA complaint filings. Higher problem scores indicate more reported safety issues.
Fiat 500 Shopping Guide by Era
2018–Present
Best: 2019Recent 500 models benefit from updated safety systems and revised engineering. The 2019 stands out with just 3 problem points. Always request a pre-purchase inspection and VIN history report.
2013–2017
Best: 2017Mid-decade 500 units are entering high-mileage territory. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and verify recall completion status. The 2017 shows the lowest problem count for this era.
Pre-2013
Proceed with CautionOlder 500 models have more accumulated wear and a larger recall history. These are higher-risk purchases without documented maintenance records and a clean VIN history report.
Frequently Asked Questions
What year 500 should I avoid?+
Avoid the 2012 Fiat 500 if possible. It has 2 recalls, 262 owner complaints. The overall problem score is 284 — the highest in our dataset.
What is the best year 500 to buy?+
The 2019 Fiat 500 is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 3. It has only 1 recall and 0 complaints on record with NHTSA.
Which 500 has the fewest problems?+
The 2019, 2018, 2017 model years have the fewest documented problems. Even for low-problem years, verifying a specific vehicle's history via its VIN is always recommended before purchase.
More Fiat 500 Research
Check a Specific Fiat 500 VIN
Model-year rankings show statistical risk. A VIN-specific report reveals the individual vehicle's full history — accidents, odometer rollbacks, auction records, and open recall status.
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