Fiat 500L Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy
Every Fiat 500L model year (2014–2020) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, injuries, and deaths. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.
Fiat 500L Years to Avoid
3 recalls · 182 complaints
3 reported injuries
Top issue: POWER TRAIN
Problem score: 197
2 recalls · 23 complaints
Top issue: POWER TRAIN
Problem score: 29
0 recalls · 2 complaints
Top issue: POWER TRAIN
Problem score: 2
Best Fiat 500L Years to Buy
0 recalls · 0 complaints
Main area: No significant complaints
Problem score: 0
0 recalls · 0 complaints
Main area: No significant complaints
Problem score: 0
0 recalls · 0 complaints
Main area: No significant complaints
Problem score: 0
Found the right year? Verify that specific 500L with a free VIN report.
Fiat 500L — Year-by-Year Problem Report
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Problem Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Excellent |
| 2019 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Excellent |
| 2018 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Excellent |
| 2017 | 0 | 1 | 1 | Excellent |
| 2016 | 0 | 2 | 2 | Excellent |
| 2015 | 2 | 23 | 29 | Good |
| 2014 | 3 | 182 | 197 | Avoid |
Higher scores indicate more reported safety issues across recalls, complaints, and injury data.
Fiat 500L Shopping Guide by Era
2018–Present
Best: 2020Recent 500L models benefit from updated safety systems and revised engineering. Lower problem scores typically appear in this era. The 2020 stands out with just 0 problem points. Always request a pre-purchase inspection and VIN history report.
2013–2017
Best: 2017Mid-decade 500L 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What year 500L should I avoid?+
Avoid the 2014 Fiat 500L if possible. It has 3 recalls, 182 owner complaints, and the most common complaint category is POWER TRAIN. The overall problem score is 197 — the highest in our dataset.
What is the best year 500L to buy?+
The 2018 Fiat 500L is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 0. It has only 0 recalls and 0 complaints on record with NHTSA.
Which 500L has the fewest problems?+
The 2018, 2019, 2020 model years have the fewest documented problems across recall and complaint databases. Even for low-problem years, verifying a specific vehicle's history via its VIN is always recommended before purchase.
More Fiat 500L Research
Check a Specific Fiat 500L 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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