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2014 Fiat 500l Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2014 Fiat 500l carries 3 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) and knee bolster. Owners report 3 recurring issue clusters, led by “Transmission fails to shift into or engage gear.” Modern US Fiats let an oil-life indicator call the service, with a hard cap: 8,000 miles or 6 months on 2012 and 2013 cars, 10,000 miles or 12 months from 2014 on. Respect the indicator; the MultiAir engine's clever hydraulic valve system is sensitive to tired or wrong-spec oil, and the MultiAir actuator is an expensive part to teach that lesson with. Turbo cars (Abarth, 500L, 500X 1.4, 124 Spider) need plugs every 30,000 miles, one of the shortest intervals on any modern car. The 124 Spider is a Mazda MX-5 chassis but follows this Fiat schedule, not Mazda's. The 500e EV skips oil, plugs, and belts entirely.

3 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

Campaign #17V192000 · Mar 21, 2017

Issue: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014 Fiat 500L vehicles. The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software calibration maybe incorrect, limiting the engine to idle speed and torque even when accelerator pedal is fully pressed.

Risk: If the vehicle does not accelerate as expected, there may be an increased risk of a crash.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the PCM software, free of charge. The recall began April 13, 2017. Owners may the Fiat Information Center at 1-888-242-6342. Chrysler's number for this recall is T19.

AIR BAGS:KNEE BOLSTER

Campaign #14V481000 · Jun 8, 2014

Issue: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Fiat 500L vehicles manufactured March 3, 2012, to July 25, 2014. Irregularities in the folding process during assembly of the driver's knee airbag may result in its improper deployment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Risk: If the knee airbag air bag does not deploy properly during a crash, there is an increased risk of driver injury.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's knee air bag, free of charge. The recall began on September 26, 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P42.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Campaign #14V103000 · Apr 3, 2014

Issue: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2014 Fiat 500L vehicles manufactured April 5, 2013, through January 22, 2014. In certain temperatures, moving the transmission shift lever may have a delayed effect or no effect on selecting a transmission gear.

Risk: If there is no effect, the vehicle might not shift out of the Park position. If there is a delayed effect, the vehicle may move in an unintended or unexpected direction, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter module or update the shifter software, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 31, 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number associated with this recall is P06.

Recall data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2014 Fiat 500l.

Reported to NHTSA

Transmission fails to shift into or engage gear

POWER TRAIN

85 NHTSA complaints · 2014-03 → 2026-02

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FIAT 500L. THE CONTACT WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V103000 (TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER). THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED UP A HILL, DOWN A HILL OR FLAT LAND THE GEARS SLIPPED FORWARD IN DRIVE AND BACKWARD WHILE IN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10577940
“I am having severe transmission issues. Gears are 'unavailable' and will switch me into D1, D2, and so on, all the way up to D8. I can feel the gears shifting (not in a good way), and if the brake is applied too suddenly it will fall out of gear and the service engine light is”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11548092
“Car will not shift into gear automatic transmissions will not shift readily out of park and won’t go into park sometimes. The transmissions does not receive, or is slow to receive, an intended gear selection. Vehicle came to a complete stop while driving”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11627998

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Dual-dry-clutch shudder and hesitation on acceleration

POWER TRAIN, ENGINE

22 NHTSA complaints · 2014-03 → 2025-09

“AUTO DUAL DRY CLUTCH TRANSMISSION. MANUFACTURED 7/2013, PURCHASED NEW FROM DEALER 1/14. CAR SHUDDERED AND HESITATED ON THE TEST DRIVE. TOLD IT WOULD SMOOTH OUT BECAUSE IT WAS AN ADAPTIVE TRANSMISSION. CONTINUED TO SHUDDER, HESITATE AND LURCH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10596670
“2014 FIAT 500 L: THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT INTO THE PROPER GEAR. TURNING ON THE CAR AND PLACING IN D OR R THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND WOULD NOT MOVE. AFTER RETRYING MULTIPLE TIMES THE CAR WILL EVENTUALLY GO INTO DRIVE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11312088
“1.) Vehicle will not shift into forward or reverse. Shift lever moves but vehicle does not respond. Intermittent problem. 2.) Excessive acceleration is required before vehicle will move, then lurches forward or backwards”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11586458

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine stalls or loses power while driving

POWER TRAIN

20 NHTSA complaints · 2014-06 → 2026-02

“THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IT HAS HAPPENED SINCE I BOUGHT IT THREE WEEKS AGO. THE FIRST TIME I WAS GOING THROUGH A DRIVE THROUGH AND THE CAR JUST COUGHED AND TURNED OVER AND THEN STALLED. IT WAS FIVE MINUTES BEFORE THE CAR WOULD START AGAIN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10595898
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FIAT 500 L. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO OPERATE AS DESIGNED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11307576
“UNSAFE VEHICLE: 1: CAR WAS STATIONARY FOR A SHORT PERIOD AT A RED LIGHT; TRIED TO ACCELERATE & CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. LEFT ME STRANDED FOR HALF HOUR. 2: CAR WAS STATIONARY AGAIN AT RED LIGHT & STALLED, LEAVING MY DAUGHTER STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11190913

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 13, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Oil & Filter Change

Every 8,000 mi

As the indicator demands, capped at 8,000 miles or 6 months on 2012-13 cars and 10,000 miles or 12 months on 2014+. Use the specified oil; the MultiAir system depends on it. Not applicable to the 500e.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Spark Plugs

Every 30,000 mi

MultiAir turbo (Abarth, 500L, 500X 1.4, 124 Spider): every 30,000 miles, short and real. Naturally aspirated 500: 100,000 miles. Owners report some late turbos moved to longer-life iridium plugs; confirm against your manual before stretching it.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Brake Fluid

Every 20,000 mi

Every 2 years on the factory chart, including the 500e.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Tire Rotation

Every 8,000 mi

With every oil service.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 8,000 mi

Checked at every service. On the 500e, regenerative braking saves pads but calipers still need exercise; have them checked for sticking.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Every 30,000 miles, inspected at each service.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Timing Belt (1.4 MultiAir)

Every 150,000 mi

The 1.4 MultiAir in the 500, 500L, and 124 Spider is a belt-driven interference engine with a 150,000-mile or 15-year interval. Long, but a hard deadline; many owners do it earlier on age. The 2.4 in the 500X and the 500e have no belt.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$935–$1175

Shop

~$655–$825

DIY

Pro only

On interference engines, a snapped belt destroys valves. Worth doing on schedule. Bundle water pump + tensioner — labor is already there.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 20,000 mi

Every 20,000 miles per the factory chart; about every 2 years on the 500e.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Engine Coolant

Every 150,000 mi

Long-life OAT coolant: 10 years or 150,000 miles. The 500e's battery-loop coolant has no short interval; levels get checked at services.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Transmission Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

No normal-schedule change is published for the autos; around 60,000 miles under severe use per FCA practice, and a reasonable habit generally. Manuals: change on condition.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

13 crashes 2010–2024

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

5

complaints mentioning a crash

5

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2014 Fiat 500l reflects Fiat's published service intervals and the Oil Change Indicator system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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