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Fiat 500X VIN Number Check

Decode a Fiat 500X VIN free with NHTSA vPIC. See the NHTSA recalls for that model year, then read what owners have reported.

VIN prefixZFB

Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.

Vinny, the VinNumber key mascot
Fiat 500X

About the Fiat 500X

Fiat sold the 500X in the US for model years 2016–2023. Across those years NHTSA lists 6 vehicle recall campaigns and 187 owner complaints. The 2016 has the most complaints of any model year (154). EPA rates it at 24–28 mpg combined. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.

US model years2016–2023
EPA classSmall Sport Utility Vehicle
NHTSA recall campaigns6
Owner complaints187 at NHTSA
Fiat 500X photographed at a US vehicle auction
Auction lot photo, for illustration
Generations

Fiat 500X at a glance

One generation in the data, 2016–2023: 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 187 owner complaints.

1 / 1
500X
2016–2023Small Sport Utility Vehicle
Fiat 500X (2016–2023)

Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

201620202023
2016–2023

Fiat 500X

EPA classSmall Sport Utility Vehicle
EPA combined mpg24–28
NHTSA recalls6

Engines (EPA)

  • 1.4 L 4-cyl (turbo) · 2016–2018
  • 2.4 L 4-cyl · 2016–2018
  • 1.3 L 4-cyl (turbo) · 2019–2023

Drive & transmission (EPA)

  • AWD/4WD, FWD
  • manual (2016–2018), automatic (2016–2023)

Known issues to check

Engine and cooling (65)Electrical system (59)Powertrain (transmission, driveline) (56)

Mentions in 187 NHTSA complaints.

Sample VIN pattern · 500XZFBCFXBT?GP······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2016 Fiat 500X EASY(US-Mex), SPORT (CAN), built in Melfi, Italy
Check a 500X VIN

Sources: EPA · NHTSA · vPIC

NHTSA campaign data

Which 500X model years each recall covers

NHTSA data

NHTSA has 6 campaigns on file for 500X model years 2016–2023, and the 2019 and 2020 show up in the most (2 each). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.

2020
Air bag inflator, fire risk or do-not-drive/park-outside advisorySafety recallCanada only
Pick a row
What to ask

Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.

Canada rows: Transport Canada recalls database. Transport Canada recalls that match an NHTSA campaign are folded into that row by VinNumber.net; rows with the Canadian flag have no NHTSA match. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.

Owner reports · NHTSA complaints

What Fiat 500X owners report

Owner summaries + NHTSA data

Between them, the 2016 and 2017 hold 169 of the 187 complaints, or 90%. Tap any bar or generation.

187NHTSA complaints, 2016–2023
4mention a crash
3mention a fire
4injuries reported
Owner complaints by model year500X: 187 complaints · most for the 2016 (154)

Top complaint areas · 500X

Mentions in 187 complaints, 2016–2023.

Engine and cooling65
Electrical system59
Powertrain (transmission, driveline)56
Exterior lighting14
Speed control / acceleration13
Electronic stability control12
Crashes 4Fires 3Injuries 4

2016–2023

NHTSA data summary

The 2016 is the outlier. On its own it has 154 of the ’s 187 complaints (82%), more than any other 500X model year. By area, nothing stands out. Engine and cooling leads with 65, with the electrical system (59) and the powertrain (56) close behind.

What 500X owners report across recent generations

Owner summary

2016–2023 (1st generation)

The 2016 draws by far the most NHTSA complaints for the 500X, which Fiat sold in the US through the 2023 model year. Transmission and engine complaints lead. Owners describe the transmission sticking in a gear, dropping into neutral, or the engine stalling. CarComplaints lists transmission failure, a service engine light and oil burning for 2016. A recall covers 2016 models with the 9 speed automatic whose transmission sensor wiring may be poorly crimped and let the transmission shift to neutral. [1] [2]

What to check before buying

  • Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup, including the 9 speed transmission sensor wiring recall on 2016 models.
  • On the drive, shift through every gear and watch for a transmission that sticks, slips or drops into neutral.
  • Note any stalling and whether the service engine light is on.
  • Ask for records of transmission repairs and oil consumption.
Sources (2) and method
Sources:
  1. NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, 2016 Fiat 500X
  2. CarComplaints.com, 2016 Fiat 500X problems

Counts: NHTSA complaints file, records to October 1, 2026, one count per complaint; areas are NHTSA component groups.

Owner summary updated September 29, 2026.

Owner complaints · by model year

500X complaint breakdown by model year

NHTSA data

Every 500X version is counted together. Tap a year to see its top systems.

187complaints, 2016–2023
4mention a crash
3mention a fire
4injuries reported
Most complaints: 2016 (154), 2017 (15), 2018 (11)
154’1615’1711’18’20

2016 · 154 complaints

Crashes 3 · fires 3 · injuries 4

Engine52
Power train50
Electrical system48
Unknown or other33
Exterior lighting14

Systems as NHTSA names them; a complaint can list several. Source: NHTSA complaints data, records to October 1, 2026.

EPA fuel economy & emissions

500X CO₂, smog rating and yearly fuel cost

EPA data

EPA lists 14 500X versions for model years 2016–2023. The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 316 g/mi (2016). Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.

500X2016–2023

24–28 mpg · CO₂ 316–364 g/mi

2023
26combined MPG
356CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)
$2,600EPA yearly fuel cost
6/10Smog rating
1 = worst · 10 = cleanest
5/10Greenhouse gas rating
California LEV-III ULEV50 · Federal Tier 3 Bin 50Emission standard
Cleanest gas version of 2023: 500X AWD · Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 1.3 L, Turbo — 26 MPG · 356 g/mi
Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year
25030035040045020202016 · Gas: 3162017 · Gas: 3172018 · Gas: 3172019 · Gas: 3422020 · Gas: 3422021 · Gas: 3562022 · Gas: 3562023 · Gas: 356
Gas

Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Source: fueleconomy.gov.

Compare rivals

500X vs Honda HR-V vs Chevrolet Trax

NHTSA + EPA data

Take 2016–2023. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 500X, against 11 for the Honda HR-V and 7 for the Chevrolet Trax. Pick a range to compare.

Fiat 500X

Model years 2016–2023

NHTSA recall campaigns
6
NHTSA owner complaints
187
EPA combined mpg
24–28
Engines (EPA)
4-cyl 1.3, 1.4, 2.4 L
Also listed
turbo
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, FWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Engine and cooling 65
  2. Electrical system 59
  3. Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 56

Honda HR-V

Model years 2016–2023

NHTSA recall campaigns
11
NHTSA owner complaints
1,675
EPA combined mpg
27–31
Engines (EPA)
4-cyl 1.8, 2.0 L
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, FWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Visibility (glass, wipers, mirrors) 415
  2. Electrical system 291
  3. Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 172

Chevrolet Trax

Model years 2016–2023

NHTSA recall campaigns
7
NHTSA owner complaints
597
EPA combined mpg
26–29
Engines (EPA)
4-cyl 1.4 L
Also listed
turbo
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, FWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Engine and cooling 191
  2. Electrical system 132
  3. Suspension 80

NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.

Fiat 500X VIN number location

Where to find the VIN on a 500X

Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.

Blue Fiat 500X (first generation) crossover, front three-quarter view, with the VIN locations marked

Photo: Hans Haase, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped

Illustration: VinNumber.net

Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0; edited and VIN pins added by VinNumber.net

Locate the 500X's VIN at the base of the driver's side windshield. Door jamb sticker and B-pillar label between the front and rear doors are secondary locations. 500X is manufactured in Italy, the VIN ZFA prefix confirms Fiat's European assembly. As a crossover sold in modest volumes in the US market, the small production run makes each VIN more individually traceable than high-volume models.

  1. Windshield plateRead it through the glass at the base of the driver's side windshield.
    Source: 49 CFR 565.13(f) (NHTSA): VIN inside the passenger compartment, readable through the glazing next to the left windshield pillar
  2. Door jamb labelOpen the driver's door: the certification label on the B-pillar lists the VIN.
    Source: 49 CFR 567.4 (NHTSA): certification label with VIN at the driver door hinge pillar, latch post or door edge
The title, registration and insurance card show the VIN as well. All locations should match.
FAQ

Common Fiat 500X VIN questions

Which Fiat 500X model years have the most owner complaints?

The 2016 leads with 154, ahead of the 2017 (15) and 2018 (11). Those first two alone make up 90% of the 187 500X complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.

How many recalls has the Fiat 500X had?

NHTSA’s recall records show 6 vehicle campaigns for model years 2016–2023, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns.

What fuel economy does the Fiat 500X get?

It varies. EPA rates the 2016–2023 500X at 24–28 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive (fueleconomy.gov).

How does the Fiat 500X compare with the Honda HR-V and Chevrolet Trax on recalls?

For 2016–2023 models the 500X has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns. The Honda HR-V has 11, the Chevrolet Trax 7. Complaints run 187, 1,675 and 597 in that order, with no sales adjustment.

Other Fiat models

Check another Fiat model

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