Electric power steering column (Dualdrive)
usually 80,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Heavy steering, EPS warning
Fix: Repair or replace the column / sensor
€200–700
Common faults, service intervals and costs
Fiat 500
2007–now
5
engines covered
15
known faults
330,608
roadworthiness tests in the statistics
32
official recalls
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
The Fiat 500 has been built since 2007.
For this generation we cover 5 engines and 15 known faults, each with the mileage range where it usually appears.
The most expensive known risk is Catalytic converter: it usually appears at 180,000–260,000 km and costs €500–1,500 to fix.
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 50–100 thousand km this model most often failed on: suspension (14.9 %), lights, wipers and visibility (11.9 %), tyres and wheels (6.8 %). It fails more often than an average car of the same age and mileage on: suspension, body and corrosion, exhaust, emissions and leaks. It fails less often than average on: steering.
Engines
| Engine | Fuel | Timing drive | Oil |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 / 1.2 / 1.4 8v & 16v FIRE | Petrol | Belt · 90,000 km / every 60 mo | 5W-40 · Fiat 9.55535-S2 / ACEA A3 · ~2.8 L · every 15,000 km |
| 0.9 TwinAir | Petrol | Chain | 5W-40 · Fiat 9.55535-S2 · ~3.5 L · every 15,000 km |
| 1.3 MultiJet / CDTI / DDiS / TDCi | Diesel | Chain | 5W-30 / 5W-40 · Fiat 9.55535-S1 / dexos2 · ~3.2–3.9 L · every 15,000 km |
| 1.4 T-Jet / MultiAir (turbo) | Petrol | Belt · 120,000 km | 5W-40 · Fiat 9.55535-S2 · ~3.9 L · every 15,000 km |
| 1.0 / 1.3 FireFly (incl. turbo / mild hybrid) | Petrol | Chain | — |
Faults typical of this model
Front suspension (top mounts, drop links)
usually 60,000–160,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Knocks over bumps
Fix: Replace parts
€80–250
Faults by engine
1.1 / 1.2 / 1.4 8v & 16v FIRE
Ignition coil / leads
usually 80,000–160,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Misfire
Fix: Replace
€50–150
Throttle body / idle (drive-by-wire)
usually 80,000–180,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Unstable idle, stalling
Fix: Clean and adapt the throttle body
€60–250
Head gasket after overheating
usually 150,000–250,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Coolant loss, white smoke
Fix: Replace head gasket
€350–800
0.9 TwinAir
MultiAir actuator
usually 80,000–150,000 km · High risk
Signs: Misfire, rough idle
Fix: Replace actuator unit
€600–1,200
1.3 MultiJet / CDTI / DDiS / TDCi
Timing chain stretch
usually 150,000–220,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Rattle
Fix: Replace chain
€500–1,000
EGR / DPF
usually 100,000–180,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Limp mode
Fix: Clean or replace
€250–1,200
1.4 T-Jet / MultiAir (turbo)
MultiAir actuator ('brick') failure
usually 80,000–160,000 km · High risk
Signs: Misfire, rough idle, engine light, runs on 3 cylinders
Fix: Replace MultiAir unit; use correct 5W-40 oil
€600–1,300
Turbo wastegate / boost leaks
usually 80,000–160,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Loss of power
Fix: Replace actuator or hoses
€150–500
1.0 / 1.3 FireFly (incl. turbo / mild hybrid)
Ignition coils / spark plugs
usually 80,000–150,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Misfire, flashing engine light
Fix: Replace coil and plugs
€100–300
Water pump
usually 100,000–160,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Coolant loss
Fix: Replace pump
€250–500
Catalytic converter
usually 180,000–260,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Rattle, efficiency code
Fix: Replace
€500–1,500
Gearboxes
Manual
Clutch wear
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Slipping, high bite point
Fix: Replace clutch kit
€500–900
Dualogic / Selespeed (automated)
Dualogic / Selespeed hydraulic pump & actuator
usually 60,000–150,000 km · High risk
Signs: Won't select a gear, gearbox warning, pump runs for long
Fix: Repair pump / accumulator / actuator
€500–1,500
Scheduled service
Intervals and typical prices for the 1.1 / 1.2 / 1.4 8v & 16v FIRE engine. Other engines differ in oil, timing drive and some filters; the app gives the exact plan.
| Item | Interval | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil + oil filterEngine | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €70–150 |
| Cabin (pollen) filterClimate | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €15–40 |
| Brake fluidBrakes | every 24 months | €50–95 |
| A/C service (regas + desiccant)Climate | every 24 months | €70–150 |
| Air filterEngine | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €15–45 |
| Spark plugsIgnition | every 60,000 km or every 48 months | €50–160 |
| Timing belt kit + water pumpEngine | every 90,000 km or every 60 months | €450–900 |
| Auxiliary (serpentine) beltEngine | every 120,000 km | €70–180 |
| Coolant replacementCooling | every 150,000 km or every 96 months | €70–150 |
| Manual gearbox oilTransmission | every 150,000 km | €60–130 |
| Front brake padsBrakes | usually at 30,000–60,000 km | €60–150 |
| Front brake discs + padsBrakes | usually at 60,000–120,000 km | €150–320 |
| Rear brake padsBrakes | usually at 50,000–90,000 km | €50–130 |
| Tyres (set of 4)Wheels | usually at 40,000–60,000 km | €320–700 |
| Wiper bladesBody | checked at service | €20–50 |
| 12V batteryElectrical | checked at service | €100–220 |
Roadworthiness tests by mileage
Share of tests in the United Kingdom (DVSA MOT, 2024) that this model failed because of each system. Bold red means more often and green less often than an average car of the same age and mileage. Sample: 330,608 tests.
| thousand km | 0–50 | 50–100 | 100–150 | 150–200 | 200–250 | 250+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 2.2 % | 5.9 % | 10.5 % | 15.2 % | 18.7 % | 21.6 % |
| Suspension | 4.7 % | 14.9 % | 20.3 % | 21.8 % | 21.9 % | 24.9 % |
| Steering | 0.1 % | 0.5 % | 1.1 % | 1.5 % | 1.7 % | 3.1 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 4.4 % | 6.8 % | 8.5 % | 9.1 % | 9.4 % | 10.7 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 5.7 % | 11.9 % | 19.9 % | 25.0 % | 28.3 % | 33.9 % |
| Body and corrosion | 0.6 % | 2.6 % | 5.5 % | 8.4 % | 9.5 % | 11.4 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 0.8 % | 2.2 % | 4.7 % | 7.6 % | 9.3 % | 11.1 % |
Owner complaints in the US
Which systems owners reported to the US agency NHTSA and at what mileage. Complaints are not confirmed faults and some relate to recalls. Sample: 697 complaints.
Official recalls
Recalls the manufacturer published in the United Kingdom for this model (32). The same recalls usually apply across Europe. Ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN whether your car is affected and whether the work has been done.
- Brakes / ABS / ESP Fiat 500 BEV Panda and Tipo. Instrument panel cluster software04/09/2025 · R/2025/319
- Visibility Incorrect information displayed on the registration document and CoC (certificate of Conformity)24/03/2025 · R/2023/314
- Other Incorrect information on the registration document and CoC (certificate of Conformity)24/03/2025 · R/2023/313
- Fire risk Fiat 500 BEV High Voltage battery negative pole connection18/12/2024 · R/2024/434
- Lights Reverse gear switch not functioning as intended.07/06/2024 · R/2024/144
- Steering Front suspension control arm ball joint22/11/2023 · R/2023/283
- Electronics / software The positive lead on the auxiliary battery terminal may not be tightened correctly.23/09/2022 · R/2022/268
- Steering Ineffective/incorrect tightening of a lock nut on the steering gear rod09/09/2022 · R/2022/187
The other recalls (24) are listed in the app.
Sources and notes
Faults, intervals and prices are indicative and collected from public sources and owner experience; always rely on the service book and a qualified workshop. Test statistics: DVSA – Anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0. Owner complaints: NHTSA ODI (public domain). Recalls: DVSA Vehicle Safety Branch Recalls Database, OGL v3.0. Brand and model names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to describe the vehicles.
Updated 07/10/2026