BestCarRank
Fiat

2015 Fiat 500L

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2015 Fiat 500L has 29 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.1x the segment average of 268. The most common issue is air bags problems (17% of all complaints), specifically: i received a recall notice in september 2014 regarding the knee airbag module needing to be replaced on my 2014 fiat 500l, due to recall. the car was purchased july 15 2014 from driver's village located at 5885 e. circle drive, cicero, ny 13039. after repeated contact with the dealer, to date t. There are 2 recalls issued for this model year.

29

Total Complaints

2

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.1x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

AIR BAGS

5 complaints
17%
  • • I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN SEPTEMBER 2014 REGARDING THE KNEE AIRBAG MODULE NEEDING TO BE REPLACED ON MY 2014 FIAT 500L, DUE TO RECALL. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED JULY 15 2014 FROM DRIVER'S VILLAGE LOCATED AT 5885 E. CIRCLE DRIVE, CICERO, NY 13039. AFTER REPEATED CONTACT WITH THE DEALER, TO DATE T
  • • WHILE DRIVING AND A COUPLE OF TIME WHILE PARKED THE CHECK AIRBAG LIGHT GOES OFF. SOMETIMES THERE IS A PASSENGER THAT WEIGHS OVER THE LIMIT BUT HAS SEAT BELTS ON AT ALL TIMES. THIS WEEK ALONE HAPPENED 3 TIMES WITH ONLY THE DRIVER DEALER CANNOT FIND PROBLEM. THEY HAVE IT AGAIN FOR 3RD TIME.
  • • THE CHECK AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON EVERY 300-500 MILES & DISAPPEARS AFTER ABOUT 200-400 MILES. THE DEALER CANNOT FIGURE OUT THE ISSUE. WE ARE NOT SURE IF THE AIRBAG WILL PROPERLY DEPLOY IN THE INSTANCE OF AN ACCIDENT.
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN SEPTEMBER 2014 REGARDING THE KNEE AIRBAG MODULE NEEDING TO BE REPLACED ON MY 2014 FIAT 500L, DUE TO RECALL. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED JULY 15 2014 FROM DRIVER'S VILLAGE LOCATED AT 5885 E. CIRCLE DRIVE, CICERO, NY 13039. AFTER REPEATED CONTACT WITH THE DEALER, TO DATE T”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2015 Fiat 500L

Based on 27 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 14K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
19
30-60K
8
60-100K
0
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (2)

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE23/09/2015

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2015 Fiat 500L vehicles manufactured April 23, 2015, to May 10, 2015. The affected vehicles may be equipped with a passenger frontal air bag that was not folded properly during the assembly process. As a result, the air bag may not deploy as designed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Risk: In the event of a crash, if the air bag does not inflate as designed, the front seat occupant is at an increased risk of injury.

Fix: Fiat will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began on October 15, 2015. Owners may contact Fiat customer service at 1-888-242-6342. Chrysler's number for this recall is R54.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2015 Fiat 500L

Live EIA prices
Per year
$1,778
Per month
$148
Per mile
14.8¢
MPG
27
City driving (worst-case MPG)
$2,182/yr
Highway driving (best-case MPG)
$1,500/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today
Current
$4.00
5-year low
$2.78
5-year high
$5.01
Since 2021
+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2015 Fiat 500L

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.
Full coverage / year
$1,463
Full coverage / month
$122
Liability only / year
$607
vs US avg
-13%
How this estimate is calculated
US base full-coverage premium$1674
× state (US)1.00x
× vehicle class (wagon)0.95x
× theft risk1.00x
× safety rating1.00x
× vehicle age0.92x
= Full coverage estimate$1463

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Fiat New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)
4 yr / 50K mi
Powertrain
4 yr / 50K mi
Hybrid/EV battery
8 yr / 100K mi
Corrosion (rust perforation)
5 yr / unlimited mi
Roadside assistance
4 yr / 50K mi

These are the terms for a new Fiat. If you're buying a used 2015 500L, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Fiat dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)
$500
TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)
$500
ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)
$500
OTHER(~50K mi)
$500
STEERING(~50K mi)
$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 29 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • ☐
    AIR BAGS: I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN SEPTEMBER 2014 REGARDING THE KNEE AIRBAG MODULE NEEDING TO BE REPLACED ON MY 2014 FIAT 500L, DUE TO RECALL. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED JULY 15 2014 FROM DRIVER'S VILLAGE LOCATED AT 5885 E. CIRCLE DRIVE, CICERO, NY 13039. AFTER REPEATED CONTACT WITH THE DEALER, TO DATE T

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    TRANSMISSION: THE CAR RIGHT DAY LIGHT STOP WORKING ON 03/07/2015,ON 4/08/2015 MY CAR COULD NOT GO IN REVERSE AND PUT ME AND OTHER PEOPLE IN DANGER. THERE IS RECALL EXACTLY FOR THIS PROBLEMS ,BUT AT THE DEALERSHIPS TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NOT RECALL, THE CAR IS NOT RELIABLE AND I AM AFRAID FOR MY SAFETY! TODAY I

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    ELECTRICAL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FIAT 500L. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REVERSE CAMERA SENSOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON THREE OCCASIONS WHERE ALL FOUR REAR SENSORS AND THE CAMERA INSIDE THE VEHICLE WERE REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,200. UPDATED 5/

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    OTHER: I WAS DRIVING ON I-95 IN NORTH CAROLINA: 74 MPH; 94 DEGREES OUTSIDE; THERMOSTAT/AIRC ONDITIONER SET AT 70 DEGREES. ALL WINDOWS CLOSED TIGHTLY. 4 LANE, COUNTRY-TYPE HIGHWAY; SEVERAL MILES BETWEEN OVERPASSES/EXITS; NO CAR IN PROXIMITY - EITHER DIRECTION - WITHIN 100 YARDS. SUDDENLY AT NO CAUSE

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    RECALLS: Verify all 2 recalls have been completed — free at any Fiat dealer
  • ☐
    General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

Fiat 500L — Year Comparison

How does 2015 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.

2015
29Above Average
2014
268Avoid This Year
Full years-to-avoid analysis →

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
29
Recalls
2
Fire reports
0
Crash reports
0
Injury reports
0
Segment avg
268

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2015 Fiat 500L

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