The Fiat 500 is a compact car built from 2012 to 2019 over 2 generations. Most were assembled in Mexico — 88.3% of those on record. Between 2011 and 2019 it grew 6 cm longer and gained 46 kg. Engines offered: 4-cyl, Electric. Worth buying? It holds up well, with the usual caveat about model years at 4.0/5 — and the year you pick matters far more than the badge (best and worst years →).
What the 500 is
The Fiat 500 is a compact car that Fiat built from 2012 to 2019 — 8 model years. Our measurements put it at 2 generations, the current one starting in 2013. It has been offered with 4-cyl, Electric power. Its closest siblings in the Fiat range: 500e, 500X, 500L.
Where the 500 is built
A badge says where the company is registered; the VIN says where the car was bolted together. We counted the first three characters — the manufacturer identifier — across 744 500s on record.
| Assembled in | Share | VIN starts with | Years seen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico | 3C3 | 2012-2018 | |
| Italy | ZFB | 2013-2017 |
Check your own: the first three characters of a Fiat VIN decide which of these 2 lines your 500 belongs to. What every character in a 500 VIN means →
500 generations, and what changed
These boundaries are not copied from a brochure — they fall out of the measurements. Where the 500's length or wheelbase jumps between consecutive model years the platform changed: a facelift moves a bumper by centimetres, a new generation moves the whole car — for the 500 that gives 2 distinct generations below.
| Generation | Length | Wheelbase | Weight | vs previous | Weight change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011-2012 | 355 cm | 230 cm | 1068 kg | - | - |
| 2013-2019 | 361 cm | 230 cm | 1114 kg | +6 cm | +46 kg |
Between 2011 and 2019 the 500 gained 6 cm in length (+1.7%) and 46 kg in weight (+4.3%). Cars did not so much grow as thicken — crash structures, airbags and equipment weigh more than the metal they replaced, and on the 500 that is 46 kg against 6 cm. Full dimensions by year →
Fiat 500 tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment 500 owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What engines does the Fiat 500 have? Power & range
The Fiat 500 is offered with 2 powertrains — 1.3L 4-cyl, Electric. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain — 2 for the Fiat 500, against one or two on most rivals.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-cyl | 1.3L · 4-cyl | Automatic 9-spd | AWD | Regular |
| Electric | Electric motor | Single-speed | FWD | Electricity |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
The 500 by the numbers
What the federal and market records say about the Fiat 500. Each line opens the full breakdown by year.
| Topic | 500 | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Recalls | 33 campaigns | NHTSA, all years |
| Owner complaints | 806 filed | What breaks and when |
| Reliability | 4.0 / 5 | Best and worst years |
| Crash safety | ★★★★ NHTSA | Frontal, side, rollover |
| Insurance | $985/yr | Estimated full coverage |
| Used value | 289 listings | What it sells for now |
Frequently asked questions
What kind of car is the Fiat 500?
The 500 is a compact car, built from 2012 to 2019 across 2 generations. Engines offered: 4-cyl, Electric.
Where is the Fiat 500 made?
Across 744 cars in our records the split is: Mexico (88.3%), Italy (11.7%). The first three characters of a VIN identify the plant's manufacturer and country — that is where these shares come from, not from a press release.
How many generations does the 500 have?
2 by our measurements, the latest starting in 2013. We draw the boundaries where length or wheelbase jumps between model years — a facelift moves a bumper, a new generation moves the whole car. Over its life the 500 grew 6 cm longer and gained 46 kg.
What is the Fiat 500 warranty?
New models carry 3 years / 36,000 miles basic cover and 5 years / 60,000 miles on the powertrain. Worth knowing: across our complaint records the typical car reaches the halfway point of its faults at five years, so most repairs land after the basic warranty ends.
Is the 500 reliable?
It scores 4.0/5 in our data. The honest answer depends on the year far more than the model — see the best and worst years, and when this car starts to break.
How do I check a specific 500?
This page describes the model; it cannot tell you whether that car has an open recall or a branded title. Run its VIN against the records — free, and matched to the exact production run.
More in Fiat
| Model | Years | Recalls | Best MPG | ForCar score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiat 500e | 2024–2026 | 3 | 116 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Fiat 124 Spider | 2017–2026 | 5 | 30 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Fiat 500X | 2016–2026 | 14 | 28 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Fiat 500L | 2014–2020 | 7 | 28 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Fiat Ducato | 2019–2023 | — | 30 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Fiat Freemont | 2011–2016 | — | 34 mpg | 4.5/5 |