Is the 2016 Fiat 500X reliable?

The 2016 Fiat 500X has 258 complaints filed with NHTSA (11.2x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: avoid. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2016 Fiat 500X?

Top problems: ENGINE (52 complaints, avg repair $500); TRANSMISSION (50 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (47 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2016 Fiat 500X?

Yes, there are 1 recall(s): POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. Contact any Fiat dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 Fiat 500X?

The 2016 Fiat 500X gets 27 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1778. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2016 Fiat 500X?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2016 Fiat 500X is approximately $1,617/year (suv-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2016 Fiat 500X

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2016 Fiat 500X has 258 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 11.2x the segment average of 23. The most common issue is engine problems (20% of all complaints), specifically: my fiat 500x is brand new barely 350 miles...it has been towed twice so far and is presently being worked on now. i am afraid to drive it since it stalls out while driving and eventually will not restart. i have been researching online and have found similar issues. i feel unsafe driving this vehicl. There is 1 recall issued for this model year. ⚠️ 4 fire reports filed.

4 fire reports

258

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

11.2x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

52 complaints

20%

• MY FIAT 500X IS BRAND NEW BARELY 350 MILES...IT HAS BEEN TOWED TWICE SO FAR AND IS PRESENTLY BEING WORKED ON NOW. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT SINCE IT STALLS OUT WHILE DRIVING AND EVENTUALLY WILL NOT RESTART. I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING ONLINE AND HAVE FOUND SIMILAR ISSUES. I FEEL UNSAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICL
• I WAS MAKING A SLOW TURN IN A PARKING LOT AND THE CAR TURNED ITSELF OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE RADIO REMAINED ON AND DASH LIGHTS/GEAR LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED BUT THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY UNRESPONSIVE OTHERWISE. I REALIZED IT HAD TURNED OFF SO I RESTARTED IT & IT CONTINUED TO DRIVE NORMALLY. ABOUT 50 MILES
• ENGINE IS VERY SHAKY WHEN STALLED AT STOP LIGHTS, ETC. SERVICE LIGHT RECENTLY CAME ON AND CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR EVALUATION AS IT IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THE COOLING FAN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BUT IS ON A NATIONAL BACKORDER WITH NO ETA. CAR CAN NO LONGER BE DRIVEN IN TRAFFIC AS IT QUICKL

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports

“MY FIAT 500X IS BRAND NEW BARELY 350 MILES...IT HAS BEEN TOWED TWICE SO FAR AND IS PRESENTLY BEING WORKED ON NOW. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT SINCE IT STALLS OUT WHILE DRIVING AND EVENTUALLY WILL NOT RESTART. I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING ONLINE AND HAVE FOUND SIMILAR ISSUES. I FEEL UNSAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICL”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2016 Fiat 500X

Based on 172 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 40K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 30-60K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

Reported earliermedian 30K mi · 17 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 32K mi · 36 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 39K mi · 36 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 40K mi · 32 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

LIGHTING

In line with typicalmedian 44K mi · 10 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BODY/STRUCTURE

In line with typicalmedian 47K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

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 (1)

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION12/07/2016

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Jeep Cherokee and 2015 Chrysler 200, Jeep Renegade, RAM ProMaster, and 2016 Fiat 500X vehicles equipped with 9-speed automatic transmissions. The transmission sensor clusters may have insufficient crimps in the transmission wire harness, and as a result, the transmission may unexpectedly shift to neutral. On August 29, 2016 Chrysler added the 2016 Fiat 500X vehicles to this recall.

Risk: If the vehicle unexpectedly shifts to neutral, there is an increased risk of a crash.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, dealers will reprogram the Powertrain Control Module and the Transmission Control Module and if necessary replace the transaxle range sensor wire harness, free of charge. The recall began on November 7, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S55.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2016 Fiat 500X

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,778

Per month

$148

Per mile

14.8¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,182/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,455/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

Show:

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 2016 Fiat 500X

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.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,617

Full coverage / month

$135

Liability only / year

$639

vs US avg

-3%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1617

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 2016 500X, 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

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

LIGHTING(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 258 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: MY FIAT 500X IS BRAND NEW BARELY 350 MILES...IT HAS BEEN TOWED TWICE SO FAR AND IS PRESENTLY BEING WORKED ON NOW. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT SINCE IT STALLS OUT WHILE DRIVING AND EVENTUALLY WILL NOT RESTART. I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING ONLINE AND HAVE FOUND SIMILAR ISSUES. I FEEL UNSAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICL
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: MY 500X THAT I PURCHASED IN JULY OF 2016 HAS SHIFTED GEARS TO THE + SYMBOL 4 DIFFERENT TIMES WHILE IM DRIVING. IT STARTED IN SEPT BUT I THOUGHT I HAD IT A BUMP OR SOMETHING. IT HAPPENED AGAIN 3 TIMES I DID GO BACK TO THE BETTENHAUSER DEALER FOR SERVICE 3 TIMES AND THEY SAID I HAD TO NOT TURN THE CAR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FIAT 500X. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 8 MPH, THE DRIVE MODE UNAVAILABLE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS DIAGNOSED THE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BUT THE VEHICLE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE A
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: MY 500X THAT I PURCHASED IN JULY OF 2016 HAS SHIFTED GEARS TO THE + SYMBOL 4 DIFFERENT TIMES WHILE IM DRIVING. IT STARTED IN SEPT BUT I THOUGHT I HAD IT A BUMP OR SOMETHING. IT HAPPENED AGAIN 3 TIMES I DID GO BACK TO THE BETTENHAUSER DEALER FOR SERVICE 3 TIMES AND THEY SAID I HAD TO NOT TURN THE CAR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 1 recall have been completed — free at any Fiat dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)