Fiat 500X 1.3 Multijet 95 hp problems
The Fiat 500X used the 1.3 Multijet from 2014 to 2024 (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 500X, the safest option is the 0.9 TwinAir and 1.0/1.3 FireFly.
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Engine score on this car
3.6 out of 10Low reliability
Only counting the faults that affect the versions and years of the 500X. How we calculate it
Overall score for the Fiat 500X
6.2 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 500X
- 2014–2024[1]
- Name
- 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 500X
- 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 500X 1.3 Multijet 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 (2014–2024)
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 500X
Score for each one with the faults that affect this car, from best to worst.
Faults of the Fiat 500X outside the engine
Suspension, brakes, electronics and the rest of the car: they occur with any engine.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalGearbox and clutchGearbox faults: internal failures in the automatic and jerky gear changesSeveral reports collected by fiches-auto.fr describe everything from a total failure of the automatic gearbox - a replacement quote of around €11,000 and no reverse gear - to jerky gear changes and noises, on both the manual and automatic gearboxes.Repair: €11,000Appears at around 75,000 km
- Critical severityFrequency: RareBrakesRisk of the brake pedal breaking after an impact (2023-2024 build)Yes: a campaign covers vehicles built between 20 July 2023 and 27 June 2024 in which the brake pedal arm could break or become detached after an impact, reducing braking capability.
- Critical severityFrequency: RareAirbags and safetyRisk of the rear seat backrest not locking (2015-2018 build)Yes: two independent sources document a campaign for units built between 2 June 2015 and 17 August 2018 in which the locking mechanism of the rear seat backrest may fail, allowing it to fold forward in a crash.
- Critical severityFrequency: RareAirbags and safetyLimited airbag and seat belt pretensioner function because of the ORC control unit (2017-2019 build)Yes: a campaign covers vehicles built between 24 October 2017 and 18 April 2019 in which the occupant restraint control unit (ORC) could limit the operation of the airbag and seat belt pretensioners; it is corrected with a software update.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalElectronics and infotainmentInfotainment system faults and electronic warnings (screen, Start&Stop, alternator)Yes: several reports document infotainment system faults (frozen screen, FM radio, weeks in the garage to resolve it), Start&Stop system faults and diagnostic confusion between a battery fault and an alternator fault.
Buying a Fiat 500X 1.3 Multijet 95 hp?
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The Fiat 500X has 3 documented recalls and campaigns. See which ones and how to find out if they affect you
Frequently asked questions
Is the Fiat 500X 1.3 Multijet 95 hp reliable?
The Fiat 500X used the 1.3 Multijet from 2014 to 2024 (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 500X, the safest option is the 0.9 TwinAir and 1.0/1.3 FireFly.
What faults does the Fiat 500X 1.3 Multijet 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 500X?
The safest option is the 0.9 TwinAir and 1.0/1.3 FireFly in its 1.0 GSE T3 Turbo 100-120 hp (FireFly, from 2018) version, with a «Buy» verdict.
Own a Fiat 500X 1.3 Multijet 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