Used 2016 FIAT 500X Consumer Reviews
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Stay Far Far Away from FCA
NoFCAforMe, 01/04/2022
updated 11/09/2022
2016 FIAT 500X Lounge 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 9A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
Update: I just traded this car in after only having it about 3.5 years. Bought it used in 2019 with about 35k on it. It had style and all the features you could want/need. However, the cargo space was lacking and it was not very comfortable on long drives. But my biggest issue was it's reliability. At just around 65k, I was about 2.5 hrs away from home when all the warning lights came on. Drove it to the nearest dealer who told me it was showing transmission/torque converter issues. Advised me to limp it home - which I did. Got it to my local mechanic who did a transmission flush and the car was alright for about another 2k miles. Was on another long journey (10+ hrs away this time) when the same thing happened - all the lights. Limped it about 2 hrs to my destination where it was in with a FIAT dealer off and on for 2+ months. Not only did I have to leave my car thousands of miles away and travel home on my own dime, but the dealership called me to come pick it up a month later only to find they didn't fix the issue (it came right back AND sounded even more awful this time). They had first replaced the torque converter but then ended up having to replace the entire transmission. Dealing with FCA throughout the whole ordeal was infuriating. They couldn't have cared less. They gave me nothing. After researching this on the web, it seems to be a common issue with their 9 speed transmissions. How no recall has been made is astounding. Do your research before FCA leaves you high and dry like they did to me! Good riddance. Original: I bought my 2016 Fiat 500x Lounge used w/ approx. 35k on it in 2019. Clean report from previous owner. Over the past two years have had intermittent random warning lights come on/off - most notably the forward collision warning system turning itself off randomly. Lots of blown running & parking lights. Always mentioned these at my service appointments but never any luck figuring out where the issue stemmed from. I always suspected something electrical. Have had all recalls addressed (cooling fan replaced, wiring harness repaired, oil consumption test 'passed'). Car is regularly serviced. Car was at approx. 65k miles this October. I was driving for about 2 hrs on a warm, humid GA day at highway speeds (80 mph). Drove through some torrential downpours too. After I was out of the rain, I went to pass a vehicle and as soon as I hit the accelerator, I got the "Service trans", "check engine" lights. Car was driving fine otherwise. Perhaps a slight chemical burning smell I noticed but otherwise fine. Took it to a dealer nearby who scanned it and gave me a stored TCM error code for the torque converter/clutch (can't remember exact code at the moment). Drove the car 2 hrs home. Lights cleared overnight but still took it in to my local mechanic. They couldn't replicate error/code so sent me on my way. Lights came back a few days later while driving normal speeds. They recommended just doing a fluid change which I agreed to. Drove fine for about a week. Then as I was driving north to visit family (about 700 miles away), the lights returned. Took it to Fiat this time who diagnosed it as a torque converter issue and recommended replacing that and the valve body. Took a full month for them to do the work. Most notably when I got the paperwork back there was indication of metal in the transmission which they had not mentioned to me in my phone calls with them. I asked them why with a sealed, filterless transmission they felt only replacing these parts was a good fix. Surely if there was metal in the trans, it had been circulating through the entire system and caused more extensive damage to all the components. It was quite the frustrating ordeal having that convo with them. They didn't see it as an issue. Also was fishy considering my local mechanic made no mention of particles/pieces when they did the fluid change. Drove the car off the lot and immediately heard grinding and had gear changing issues (between 1-2 and again between 6-7). Took it back to them and they said the TCM got wiped somehow and needed to be reprogrammed. Did that and car worked fine for about a day. However, the lights did return. Got pretty angry with them this time and got FCA Cares involved. Returned car to same dealer who stated the clutch had burned out (surprise surprise?) and recommended an entire trans replacement. I just got the car back yesterday. Has been over 2 months back and forth in their shop and FCA Cares couldn't care less. All they did was provide some assistance with checking in on the work the dealer was doing and reporting back to me. They were otherwise useless and callous to the situation their vehicle put me in. Thank God I had a service contract on the vehicle otherwise I would have been looking at close to 10k in total repairs. Nevermind all the lost time and money on traveling back and forth because I thought it was fixed, renting/borrowing other vehicles, etc. I fully intend on trading this awful vehicle in as soon as I can and letting Fiat have it wherever I can. Again, I have always suspected the issue is electrical. I doubt the trans is the actual issue. Perhaps a result of something larger - but not the primary issue itself. Fiat doesn't seem to care to figure it out. Wondering how long it will be before I'm facing the same issue/lights again. Hope to have it gone before that time. STAY AWAY FROM FCA!
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Great balance of luxury, safety and style
Ed the Fiat owner, 09/06/2018
updated 09/21/2020
2016 FIAT 500X Trekking Plus 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl 9A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
Small crossovers are hot these days—they are easy to park, affordable, and packed with safety features including all-wheel-drive. To that combo, my Fiat 500x adds style and luxury touches. It's less popular than its Jeep Renegade twin, probably because Fiats are sold with other FCA brands. 2016 Trekking Plus models have slightly more aggressive styling with a satin chrome finish, and are fully loaded with excellent heated front seats (power on the driver's side), heated steering wheel, automatic A/C, fog + cornering lamps, UConnect infotainment with navigation and passive entry/pushbutton start. I am very pleased with the automatic headlights, speed sensitive wipers, dual-pane sunroof and safety equipment that came with the Tracking Plus Collection 2 package of options. The drivetrain is smooth and responsive. Parking is easy, thanks to the compact size and backup camera. The adjustable cargo floor is handy, though I prefer it in the upper position with some hidden storage underneath. Dislikes? It's a bit of a step to get in. Back seat legroom can be tight if front seats are pushed back for tall drivers. Gas mileage is merely average, but refueling is easy—no gas cap to remove. I rarely use remote start. Plastic door trim on all Fiats are easily scuffed. And the various safety alerts can be pretty loud. Annoyances aside, if you're not paying the depreciation, the 500x is a great choice for its standard features, practical size and attractive styling. Note that the 2019 tweaks removed out some options, so Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are in, and the heated steering wheel is out.
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2016 FIAT 500X for sale near you
3 of 24 listings
- Trekking 4dr SUVMSRP: $14,998In-stock online
- Lounge 4dr SUVMSRP: $14,998In-stock online
- Easy 4dr SUVMSRP: $13,998In-stock online
See all 24 listings
More than the sum of its parts
Damzlfly, 07/07/2016
updated 07/21/2017
2016 FIAT 500X Trekking Plus 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 9A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
The market for compact/subcompact crossovers is not crowded, but there are plenty of options. I researched Hondas, Mazdas, Nissans, Kias and Buicks (online, in-person, test driving) before deciding on a Fiat 500X. It was a difficult decision because I was looking for a previously owned vehicle, but 2016 is the first model year of the the 500X. After four months, I got lucky and found a discounted demo that was fully loaded and haven't looked back. The transmission is... quirky. It took me a couple of weeks to find the balance between hesitancy and jackrabbit starts. I had to actively be the one to decide because the car couldn't really do it (and still can't). Braking at low speeds is touchy - again, until one acclimates oneself to the system. Nonetheless, I am still thrilled by the nimbleness of the X. When I need to pass at highway speeds, I have to do little more than think it and it's done. The entertainment/communications/navigation/electronic control panel is everything it should be. The ride is firm, but real issues in the road (e.g., railroad tracks, speed bumps) are handled with alacrity. After a month, I still wake up thrilled to get behind the wheel. So much style, so much fun. Update: Our relationship is now celebrating its half-year anniversary, and we are still honeymooning. We have just experienced our first significant frozen precipitation event, and my baby sat it out in the driveway. I do not drive on ice. That is not why I bought the car. The X handles the narrow, twisting, hilly roads of my neighborhood with aplomb even in normal driving mode when there is no ice, and that is all that I ask. One-year Update: Now that I have owned the car for a year, I have to say that I did not appreciate the significant decline in value of the car. In one year, the value has declined by one-third. Otherwise, I'm still satisfied.
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The more-than-adequate compact crossover from Fiat
D. Winkler, 11/02/2015
updated 11/06/2020
2016 FIAT 500X Pop 4dr SUV (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
10 of 14 people found this review helpful
This is a compact version of your average small American crossover, with enough horsepower, traction and capability to do almost everything you need it to do, and not a bit extra. It won't tow your heavy equipment or move much of your furniture, but in Pop form, with the turbocharged multi-air four and six speed manual, it will get down the road nicely. Put some good snow tires on its steel wheels and you will get where you are going through considerable snowfall. The seats are comfortable, but rear seat passengers will be crowded. Handling is really quite good, though my Fiat 500 Pop would run circles around it, and the 500X could easily be called "quick," but not fast. Note that the six speed manual makes all the difference in this model Fiat, though the option sacrifices you will have to make to row your own gears are substantial. It seems that Fiat jumped on the manual-because-we-must bandwagon and the 1.4L 6MT is basic in most areas. They saved the really good stuff for the Easy and Trekking versions. No matter, the Pop 1.4L 6MT is a hoot to drive, has good road manners, decent acceleration with the turbocharger and a healthy lack of infotainment bells and whistles. I do wish accessories were more reasonably priced and the 1.4L multi-air engine didn't eat premium gas, but there is much to like and no complaints so far. Still no complaints after 4750 miles. Dealership fixed a cruise control issue under warranty, and while it did take a while, they gave me a loaner (500L). Did my own oil change recently and it's much easier than my Fiat 500 Pop. Still like the car after six months! UPDATE: After nine months of ownership the Fiat 500X was involved in a car/deer collision, sustained substantial damage to the front, and was a total loss. The airbags worked as designed, though the knee airbag left a palm sized bruise on my right leg and the passenger airbag (seat was unoccupied) broke the windshield. Lost substantial money to depreciation, though my insurance company was completely transparent and efficient throughout. I replaced the Fiat 500X with a 2014 Ford C-Max Energi that I like very much. UPDATE: After four years of ownership I traded my Fiat 500 in on the Ford C-Max above and now have zero Fiats in my garage. I am living happily ever after. Would I buy another Fiat? No. FCA will always be the quirky Italian cousin everyone talks about, but nobody takes seriously. That is a shame. UPDATE: I am still Fiat free and a used Fiat 500 Pop 6M is a rare vehicle indeed. Still doesn't command much of a price on the used market, but is very difficult to find. No plans to add a Fiat to my garage, but coveting a new Ford Ranger or Bronco. UPDATE: The algorithm does not understand why I have not updated my review of a car(s) I have not owned in years, so this is an "update" of sorts. Fiat 500X in the manual configuration has become a unicorn in the used car market and just about impossible to find. Fiat's days in the USA are numbered, I'm afraid, but there is nothing to be done about that in an insane locked down world, where the inmates are running the asylum. Fasten your seat belt, it's going to get rough out there.. UPDATE: Fall 2020. The algorithm still does not know that I no longer own any Fiats and even the Ford CMax has been sold to a Ford dealer (for trade-in value). The state decided PHEVs were not paying enough gas tax and bumped the tag fee much higher, so I got inspired and no longer own the CMax PHEV. I am pleased with my Ford Focus, 6M ecoboost three cylinder sedan, though the 2020 Ford Edge Titanium 2.0L may replace it next summer, because its 8-speed automatic and larger size are attractive..
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Horrible experience
Disgruntled, 02/15/2018
2016 FIAT 500X Pop 4dr SUV (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
6 of 8 people found this review helpful
At 24113 miles and less than 2 years old, vehicle began stalling after display or numerous different warning lights. Over the course of 7 months, I was left stranded 11 times after stalling on expressway and in town. Each time dealership replaced a part (5 new parts in total) and returned it to me "fixed". Warranty is for 5 years and I had extended warranty. Didn't want to trade. Wanted FIAT to fix it. They refused to buy back (it had over 24000 miles and not eligible?!), give be comparable vehicle, or acknowledge it was a lemon and they couldn't figure out the problem. Had to trade and take a financial loss as I couldn't continue to put my family in harm's way. FCA staff were not helpful. Entire experience with FIAT was horrible. Local dealership did as Chrysler/Fiat directed them and they actually stepped up to offer more on a trade they usual and took vehicle "as-is" which was still not repaired. I will never purchase another FIAT or recommend to others. Poor customer service and unwilling to accept responsibility for faulty vehicle.
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