Fiat 500L 1.3 Multijet 85 and 95 hp problems
The Fiat 500L used the 1.3 Multijet from 2012 to 2022 (1.3 Multijet 85 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 500L, the safest option is the 1.4 T-Jet.
Engine score on this car
3.6 out of 10Low reliability
Only counting the faults that affect the versions and years of the 500L. How we calculate it
Overall score for the Fiat 500L
6.3 out of 10Acceptable reliability
Engines, gearbox, suspension, brakes, electronics and the rest of the car. See breakdown
Fiat 1.3 Multijet / JTD (SDE) · Diesel
- In the 500L
- 2012–2022[1]
- Names
- 1.3 Multijet 85 · 1.3 Multijet 95
- Faults that affect it
- 5 · 4 of high or critical severity
Verdict for the versions it uses
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.[2][3]
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.[2][3]
Faults that affect the 500L
- 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 500L 1.3 Multijet 85 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 (2012–2022)
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 500L
Score for each one with the faults that affect this car, from best to worst.
Faults of the Fiat 500L outside the engine
Suspension, brakes, electronics and the rest of the car: they occur with any engine.
- High severityFrequency: RareSteeringSteering rack failure on the Fiat 500LAccording to the owner reports collected by fiches-auto.fr, one owner had to replace the steering rack at 75,000 km because of play, and another describes a stiff steering column caused by a weak battery. These are isolated cases with no official recall.
- Medium severityFrequency: RareSuspensionPremature wear of ball joints and shock absorbers on the Fiat 500LAccording to the owner reports collected by fiches-auto.fr, some owners had worn shock absorbers at 55,000 km (covered by warranty) and worn ball joints at 85,000 km with no cover from Fiat. There are few cases and no official recall.
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalElectrical systemUconnect infotainment and radio faults on the Fiat 500LAccording to the owner reports collected by fiches-auto.fr, the Uconnect cuts out and has to be restarted, and one owner paid around €1,000 for a radio that failed intermittently. There is no official recall.
Buying a Fiat 500L 1.3 Multijet 85 and 95 hp?
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Frequently asked questions
Is the Fiat 500L 1.3 Multijet 85 and 95 hp reliable?
The Fiat 500L used the 1.3 Multijet from 2012 to 2022 (1.3 Multijet 85 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 500L, the safest option is the 1.4 T-Jet.
What faults does the Fiat 500L 1.3 Multijet 85 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 500L?
None has a «Buy» verdict; the safest option is the 1.4 T-Jet, with a «With caution» verdict.
Own a Fiat 500L 1.3 Multijet 85 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 JTD/Multijet: corrente folgada e entupimento dos canais de lubrificaçãoProvmec · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Portuguese
- 1.3 CDTi Opel (Z13DT) Multijet: ficha técnica, problemas y tuningMotordinámico · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
- Fiat 1.3 Multijet: ficha técnica, problemas y tuningMotordinámico · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
- Quando sostituire la catena di distribuzione sul 1.3 Multijet: riconoscere i sintomiRettifica Pompeo · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Italian
- Fiat 1.3 Multijet: problemas, fallos y averías más frecuentesTotalrenting · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
- FIAT 500 1.3 MultiJet II: EGR Valve Problems and How to Fix ThemAutoricambi Tritella · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026