Electrical Recalls on 2016 Fiat 500x Easy
Being the eighth largest automaker in the world, you'd think Fiat Chrysler would have its ducks in a row. Unfortunately, the only thing they seem to have going for them involves a massive amount of recalls and quality issues. The Italian-American car producer has had more than its share of problems recently.
With over 8 million vehicles being recalled for various problems just over the last year, and even more, massive lawsuits awaiting them, the Fiat Chrysler brand has taken quite a hit concerning their reputation and reliability. With all their decades of experience, one would think the company's problems could be resolved quickly, but so far that's not the case.
With their upcoming $50 billion Peugeot merger, the combined company will become the fourth-largest automaker in the world. Will that fix Fiat's quality problems? Owners of Fiat Chrysler vehicles, for better or worse, seem to share the same common problems. Why that is, only the company knows for sure, but the general consensus is that it sucks.
From fit and finish issues to electrical problems and worse, these common problems persist across the board for nearly all Fiat Chrysler vehicles. It's a shame that the consumer will pay the ultimate price for all of these problems. Take a look at these common Fiat Chrysler problems and let us know if you agree.
15 Corrosion Problems
Fiat Chrysler and corrosion seem to go hand in hand. It seems no part of their vehicles is safe from being recalled. As recently as 2018 saw nearly 240,000 models of the Jeep Liberty recalled because of corrosion problems with their lower control arms. Another recall in 2018 focused on some Jeep Wranglers that were experiencing premature corrosion.
12,500 Alfa Romeo Stelvio SUVs were recalled in the same year for A-Pillar corrosion problems too. In late 2017, Chrysler also recalled 710,000 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee SUVs because some brake shields were failing to protect the booster assemblies from corrosion. Wow, when it rains, it rusts, at least for Fiat Chrysler.
14 Shifter Stuttering
In late 2016, Fiat Chrysler recalled 1.1 million Dodge Chargers, Chrysler 300s, and Jeep Grand Cherokees because of a persistent problem involving the design of their monostable shifter, which had been installed in vehicles since 2012.
These dash-mounted rotary shifters were confusing many owners because they couldn't tell if their vehicles were actually in Park mode if the shifter was really malfunctioning. This problem had caused at least 268 crashes and multiple injuries, according to the NHTSA.
The recall was largely publicized by the untimely death of Star Trek actor Anthony Yelchin, who was crushed by his own Jeep when it rolled back on him, pinning him against a wall.
13 Emissions Issues
On March 13, 2019, Fiat Chrysler said they were voluntarily recalling at least 860,000 because they were violating EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) emissions levels, which did not meet USA standards.
Forbes says those vehicles included Dodge Journey, Caliber and Avenger, as well as Jeep Compass, Patriot and Chrysler 200 models. Several publications say that it will be an expensive job because of the replacement of the catalytic converters, along with the rest of the emissions system.
In our opinion, it's better than Fiat Chrysler going through a scandal. After watching the all-too-public Volkswagen emissions scandal unfold, it's great that Chrysler is going to man up and tackle the problem head-on.
12 Transmission Woes
Fiat Chrysler probably curses the day they ever installed the ZF 9HP nine-speed transmission in any of their vehicles. First installed in the 2014 Jeep Cherokee, the transmission quickly gained a reputation for being what it was - crap.
In just one year Chrysler had to issue three technical service bulletins and at least two software updates for the transmission says a Car and Driver report. By 2015 Fiat Chrysler was subjected to a class-action lawsuit from several people about the problem.
Finally, in 2016, Chrysler got woke and recalled over 400,000 vehicles unfortunate enough to have the ZF 9HP transmission, citing loss of propulsion as an attempt to get the issue fixed once and for all.
11 Consumer Reports Rankings
Although Fiat Chrysler finally cracked the top 10 list of Consumer Report's reliability ranking in November 2019, when it comes to quality and reliability rankings, let's just say Fiat Chrysler knows they have a problem or several to address.
From 2018-2019, Fiat Chrysler has recalled more than 8.3 million vehicles due to a rash of persistent problems. Naturally, this reflects in consumer ranking lists from JD Power and Consumer Reports, in which Fiat Chrysler normally find their vehicles nested comfortably at the bottom (or lower) year after miserable year.
The Society of Automotive Engineers editorial director Bill Visnic sums Fiat Chrysler's perception perfectly when he mentions in a Detroit Free Press article, "I don't think the quality has ever been… one of the things people would look at as one of Chrysler's talking points." Nuff said.
10 Underwhelming Engines
Trying to balance power with efficiency can be a big problem for automakers, but Fiat Chrysler seems to make a consistent point by unleashing underpowered vehicles to a now unsurprised and very underwhelmed public.
Even the newest models like Jeep's Compass, while great on gas mileage, offers a paltry 180 HP 2.4-liter 4-banger in its base model. For a 3,600 lb vehicle, this makes the vehicle feel sluggish, according to CNET. There's really no point in discussing Fiat cars such as the 500, as they are notoriously weak, and we aren't quite certain if the 500 qualifies as a real car, even if it does have four wheels.
9 Smallish Interiors
Sure, not every vehicle is perfectly proportioned on the inside, but at least FCA could try to not be so obvious about having cramped interiors. Most people like the Jeep brand, but you pay a price for that prestige. Unfortunately, that price is interior space.
The Wrangler, Jeep's flagship vehicle that can go anywhere and do anything, is reportedly great if you are short, but will feel cramped up at the front if you happen to be tall. Chrysler's 300 sedan gets called out by Business Insider for having a cramped cabin. Other models such as the Fiat Spyder get the same treatment according to auto reviewers. Chrysler's 200 has also been reported to have poor headroom.
8 Poor Safety Record
Every vehicle manufacturer loves to break records. Even Fiat Chrysler manages to break them every once in a while. Unfortunately, not for the right reasons. In 2015 Fiat Chrysler broke a record by being fined a record $105 million for safety issues and violations.
According to the New York Times, the car company was fined that much because they failed to complete 23 safety recalls involving more than 11 million of their vehicles. Fiat Chrysler was also forced under court order to buy back something like 500,000 of their own vehicles, which were experiencing problems with defective suspensions.
In 2018, the Euro NCAP, the equivalent of the NHTSA, thunderously slammed the Jeep Wrangler with a 1-Star rating, for lacking many active and passive safety systems that many other vehicles have.
7 Potential Fire Hazard
In October of 2019, Fiat Chrysler began another recall, this time concerning nearly 108,000 Ram 1500 trucks. The issue is about the exhaust gas recirculation cooler cracking and allowing heated coolant to enter. This could potentially start a fire in the intake manifold. Vehicles affected were from 2014-2019 Ram models.
In 2017 another 1.3 million vehicles were recalled for faulty alternators that posed a fire hazard. Also in 2019, Fiat Chrysler had to recall over 100,000 Ram ProMaster van, saying that the engine cooling fans may seize up, leading to a risk of fire. Repairs will begin in 2020 once Fiat Chrysler finalizes a solution.
6 Handling/Steering Issues
From cars and minivans to passenger and heavy-duty trucks, Fiat Chrysler seems to have their hands full with handling and steering issues. Nearly 900,000 Dodge Ram Trucks worldwide were recalled in February 2019, due to oversteering and braking problems. In May 2019 almost 200,000 Fiat Chrysler minivans were recalled over loose wiring which may have resulted in the vehicle losing power steering capabilities.
Safety regulators started an investigation of steering problems involving at least 270,000 Jeep Wranglers in September 2019. The NHTSA says that more than 3,500 Jeep owners have complained about the vehicle having shimmy and looseness issues, as well as steering wheel lockup.
5 Electrical Problems Are Common
What would be the point of owning a Fiat Chrysler vehicle if it didn't have an electrical problem? The world may never know. In January of 2019, the company issued a recall involving 2019 pickup trucks that didn't have properly installed battery fasteners which could have come loose, causing loss of power steering.
Electrical faults affecting nearly 700,000 SUVs sparked yet another recall in late 2019. In 2016 Fiat Chrysler recalled 410,000 vehicles about a wiring problem which produced faults making those affected vehicles lose power and go into "limp mode" according to a report from Fortune. That would be a scary experience on the highway.
4 Even Fiat-Chrysler Doesn't Want Them Back
Some cars aren't worth the rubber they ride on. This could be because they are so cheaply made, aren't very practical, or maybe they are just unreliable. In the case of one car, all of the above reasons are true. The Fiat 500. Sure, it seemed the perfect little urban commuter car on paper, but in the real world, it's something of a nightmare. This is due to build-quality, a cramped interior, barely enough power to get over a speed bump, etc. Don't just take our's, or nearly every other auto publication on earth's word for it, try it for yourself.
Just go to a Fiat dealer and ask to lease a 500. After the dealers laugh you out of the showroom or have security escort you off the premises, you'll come to realize that Fiat doesn't lease 500s because they wouldn't want them back in two or even three years. They'd be worth nothing. Get it?
3 A Plethora Of Interior Issues
By now you should be more than aware that Fiat Chrysler has quality issues. From interior problems involving electrical systems to general cramped space, ride noise and other complaints, you should realize by now that you get what you pay for if you're interested in buying a Fiat Chrysler vehicle.
In 2016, Consumer Reports said Fiat Chrysler landed dead last in their rankings, with most of their models not even being recommended. That has to be a pretty devastating verdict for even one vehicle, much less an entire lineup. Of course, the Fiat 500 actually landed dead last in the ranking. It seems like that pseudo car is going to go down the history books next to Yugo as a blundering failure.
2 The Brand Is Considered Universally Unappealing
It's hard to describe Fiat Chrysler these days. If you were to ask the average car buyer, we feel that neither Fiat nor Chrysler would roll off the tongue as fast as other car manufacturer's names. You'd think by now the company would've gotten it through their collective skulls, but it's much like being in space because Fiat Chrysler apparently can't hear their own customer's screams.
Reviewers like Car and Driver, Road and Track and many others feel the same way about the Alfa Romeo division of Fiat Chrysler too. Even overseas publications can't contain their anger for Fiat and their worldwide quality issues.
1 Peugeot Joins In The Fun
This isn't an issue so far, but only time will tell about the recent merger of Peugeot and Fiat Chrysler. In 2019 Peugeot was ranked number 1 most reliable car brand in the UK. It was reported that the company only had 77 problems out of 100 cars, which is a far cry better than anything offered by Fiat Chrysler.
Hopefully, some of that reliability will rub off on Fiat Chrysler. Maybe some of their vehicles will be rebranded and brought under the various brands in the USA, but with SUVs being the dominant vehicle in the USA, we believe that the order of the day will be to get quality issues under control.
Sources: jdpower nhtsaroadandtrackfreep
Source: https://www.hotcars.com/problems-every-fiat-chrysler-car-has-and-drivers-shouldnt-ignore/