Fiat 500L Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy
Every Fiat 500L model year (2014–2020) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, deaths, and injuries. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.
Fiat 500L Years to Avoid
1 recall · 133 complaints
Top issue: POWER TRAIN
Problem score: 136
1 recall · 14 complaints
Top issue: AIR BAGS
Problem score: 17
Best Fiat 500L Years to Buy
0 recalls · 1 complaint
Main area: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Problem score: 1
Found the right year? Verify that specific 500L with a free VIN report.
Fiat 500L — Year-by-Year Problem Report
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | 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 | 0 | — | — | 0 | Excellent |
| 2015 | 1 | 14 | — | — | 17 | Good |
| 2014 | 1 | 133 | — | — | 136 | Avoid |
All 7 model years shown. Deaths and injuries from NHTSA complaint filings. Higher problem scores indicate more reported safety issues.
Fiat 500L Shopping Guide by Era
2018–Present
Best: 2020Recent 500L models benefit from updated safety systems and revised engineering. The 2020 stands out with just 0 problem points. Always request a pre-purchase inspection and VIN history report.
2013–2017
Best: 2016Mid-decade 500L units are entering high-mileage territory. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and verify recall completion status. The 2016 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 1 recall, 133 owner complaints. The overall problem score is 136 — the highest in our dataset.
What is the best year 500L to buy?+
The 2017 Fiat 500L is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 1. It has only 0 recalls and 1 complaint on record with NHTSA.
Which 500L has the fewest problems?+
The 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 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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