Fiat 500 1.3 Multijet 75 and 95 hp problems
The Fiat 500 used the 1.3 Multijet from 2007 to 2024 (1.3 Multijet 75 and 1.3 Multijet 95). 5 documented faults affect it; the most important is “timing chain stretch and tensioner failure” (critical severity, common). Our verdict: “With caution”. Among the documented engines of the Fiat 500, the safest option is the 1.2 8v Fire.
Engine score on this car
3.6 out of 10Low reliability
Only counting the faults that affect the versions and years of the 500. How we calculate it
Overall score for the Fiat 500
6.4 out of 10Acceptable reliability
Engines, gearbox, suspension, brakes, electronics and the rest of the car. See breakdown
Fiat 1.3 Multijet / JTD (SDE) · Diesel
- Names
- 1.3 Multijet 75 · 1.3 Multijet 95
- Faults that affect it
- 5 · 4 of high or critical severity
Verdict for the versions it uses
1.3 Multijet 8v (69-105 hp, 2003-2009)2003–2009 · 69–105 hp · Z13DT
With cautionIt is the generation that has been on the road longest and the one with the most documented cases of stretched timing chains and failed tensioners. It is only worth considering with an oil change history and, ideally, with the chain already inspected or replaced.[2][3][4]
1.3 Multijet II 16v Euro 5 (75-95 hp, 2009-2015)2009–2015 · 75–95 hp · Z13DTH, 199B1.000
With cautionIt improves consumption and noise compared with the first generation, but shares the same chain and tensioner design, with documented cases of stretching. Ask for the maintenance history and watch for oil dilution if the car is used mostly in town.[3][5]
1.3 Multijet II 16v Euro 6 (95 hp, 2015-2020)2015–2020 · 95 hp · A13DTE
With cautionThe timing chain problem is partly mitigated compared with earlier generations, but it does not go away, and the demands of particulate filter regenerations on cars used mainly in town are added to it. Worth considering with an oil history and mixed journeys.[3][5]
Faults that affect the 500
- Critical severityFrequency: CommonTimingTiming chain stretch and tensioner failureYes: the timing chain's hydraulic tensioner can lose pressure and let the chain slacken; if it skips teeth or breaks, it can destroy the engine. It is a documented problem on Fiat, Opel, Suzuki and Ford cars with this engine, mainly linked to long oil change intervals.Repair (garage): €350–€550Appears at around 70,000 km
- High severityFrequency: CommonEmissions controlIncomplete particulate filter regenerations and oil dilutionIn heavy urban use, with short journeys that do not let the particulate filter regeneration finish, unburnt diesel passes into the sump and dilutes the oil; the level can rise on the dipstick and the oil loses its ability to lubricate. Repeated many times, it speeds up engine wear.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalTurboSeized variable-geometry turboOn versions with a variable-geometry turbo, the vanes can seize through soot build-up, especially on cars used in town for short journeys. The engine loses power gradually and may give off black smoke when accelerating.Repair (garage): €450–€700
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalInjectionInjector and high-pressure pump wear from contaminated fuelThe Bosch injectors and the high-pressure pump of the common rail system are sensitive to poor-quality fuel or fuel with condensed water. With contaminated diesel they can generate metal shavings that damage first the pump and then the injectors themselves.Repair (garage): €600–€1,200
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonEmissions controlEGR valve blocked by sootThe 1.3 Multijet's EGR valve easily accumulates soot on short urban journeys, causing an unstable idle, loss of power and the engine warning light. It is one of the most cited problems among owners of this engine.Repair (garage): €130–€400
What to check before buying a used Fiat 500 1.3 Multijet 75 and 95 hp
Each point comes from a documented fault that affects this car. You can tick them off as you inspect it.
If it has the 1.3 Multijet (2007–2024)
Timing chain stretch and tensioner failure
Critical severitySeized variable-geometry turbo
High severityEGR valve blocked by soot
Medium severityOther engines and gearboxes of the Fiat 500
Score for each one with the faults that affect this car, from best to worst.
Faults of the Fiat 500 outside the engine
Suspension, brakes, electronics and the rest of the car: they occur with any engine.
- Critical severityFrequency: RareSuspensionFront wheel bearing that could come loose (2024 campaign)In 2024 Fiat opened a recall campaign (code 6687) to check the bearing of a front wheel that, on certain 500 units, could come loose. The source consulted does not specify the production period covered or the number of cars affected.
- Critical severityFrequency: RareElectrical systemRisk of the auxiliary battery overheating on mild-hybrid versions (October 2022 campaign)In October 2022 Fiat opened a safety campaign for the mild-hybrid versions of the 500 over a hybrid system deficiency with a risk of the auxiliary battery overheating. The source consulted does not detail the production period or the number of units affected.
- Critical severityFrequency: RareSteeringSteering mount made of unsuitable material that can make the car harder to control (June 2021 campaign)In June 2021 Fiat opened a campaign because the steering mount on some 500 units was made of unsuitable material that could make the vehicle harder to control. The source consulted does not detail the production period or the number of cars affected.
- Critical severityFrequency: RareGearbox and clutchRight-hand front driveshaft (half-shaft) that can give way on the move (July 2019 campaign, ref. 6228)In July 2019 Fiat registered campaign 6228 because the right-hand front driveshaft (half-shaft) on some 500 units could develop problems and give way while the car was moving. The source consulted does not detail the production period or the number of units affected.
- High severityFrequency: RareGearbox and clutchPremature clutch wear and jumps into neutral on the Dualogic gearboxTestimonies from Fiat 500 owners with the Dualogic robotised gearbox describe a clutch that wears out sooner than expected (cases between 27,000 and 55,000 km) and involuntary jumps into neutral or refused gear changes in automatic mode; there is no official campaign or specialist press to confirm it.Appears at around 27,000 km
Buying a Fiat 500 1.3 Multijet 75 and 95 hp?
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The Fiat 500 has 4 documented recalls and campaigns. See which ones and how to find out if they affect you
Frequently asked questions
Is the Fiat 500 1.3 Multijet 75 and 95 hp reliable?
The Fiat 500 used the 1.3 Multijet from 2007 to 2024 (1.3 Multijet 75 and 1.3 Multijet 95). 5 documented faults affect it; the most important is “timing chain stretch and tensioner failure” (critical severity, common). Our verdict: “With caution”. Among the documented engines of the Fiat 500, the safest option is the 1.2 8v Fire.
What faults does the Fiat 500 1.3 Multijet 75 and 95 hp have?
The documented ones that affect this car are: timing chain stretch and tensioner failure (critical severity), incomplete particulate filter regenerations and oil dilution (high severity), seized variable-geometry turbo (high severity), injector and high-pressure pump wear from contaminated fuel (high severity) and EGR valve blocked by soot (medium severity).
Which engine should you choose for the Fiat 500?
The safest option is the 1.2 8v Fire, with a «Buy» verdict.
Own a Fiat 500 1.3 Multijet 75 and 95 hp? Tell us what faults you have had and at how many kilometres. Report your fault.
Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- Moteur Fiat 1.3 MultiJetWikipédia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
- Fiat 1.3 Multijet: ficha técnica, problemas y tuningMotordinámico · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
- 1.3 CDTi Opel (Z13DT) Multijet: ficha técnica, problemas y tuningMotordinámico · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
- Fiat 1.3 Multijet: problemas, fallos y averías más frecuentesTotalrenting · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
- Fiat 1.3 JTD/Multijet: corrente folgada e entupimento dos canais de lubrificaçãoProvmec · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Portuguese
- Quando sostituire la catena di distribuzione sul 1.3 Multijet: riconoscere i sintomiRettifica Pompeo · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Italian
- FIAT 500 1.3 MultiJet II: EGR Valve Problems and How to Fix ThemAutoricambi Tritella · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026