Skip to content
MotorFiable

Fiat 500e engine: faults and reliability

Fiat 500e (2020): motor síncrono de imanes permanentes and baterías de 23,8 and 42 kWh · Fiat

The 2020 500e's drivetrain has few declared faults in the motor, but its traction battery has been subject to two recalls over fire risk, and there are isolated complaints about AC charging. The available data is scarce: it is a recent model.[1][2]

Risk index
32
Moderate risk · what it is
Documented faults
2
1 of high or critical severity
Timing
—
Technical data[3][4]
Production
since 2020
1 model on this site

4 sourcesHow we work

Which Fiat 500e versions should you buy?

Our verdict for each version, based on the documented faults.

  • 500e Action 23.8 kWh, 95 hp (2020-)

    since 2020 · 95 hp

    With caution

    The battery recalls should be checked by chassis number and AC charging should be tested; there are few owner reviews (seven).[1]

  • 500e 42 kWh, 118 hp (2020-)

    since 2020 · 118 hp

    With caution

    This is the version with the most reviews (16 on Fiches-auto.fr): it includes the case of a traction battery rendered unusable at 20 months and the 2023 and 2024 recalls. Check that the recalls have been carried out.[1]

Buy: No known serious faults, or they have already been corrected, in this version. With caution: Worth buying if something specific is verified: history, a replaced part or a completed campaign. Avoid: High risk of a serious fault that is hard to check for or prevent.

Known faults of the Fiat 500e

Sorted from most to least important (severity × frequency).

  1. 1Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalTraction batteryTraction battery fire risk (2023 and 2024 recalls)Fiat has recalled the 500e over traction battery fire risk on two occasions: April 2023 (contaminated materials, built from October 2020 to July 2021) and 2024 (negative terminal clamp not tightened properly). Both are precautionary recalls.
  2. 2Medium severityFrequency: RareChargingRefusals and interruptions of AC chargingSome 500e owners report AC charging being refused or cut off, along with the warning 'check charging system'; it is often caused by a poorly seated connector, and there are no figures for repairs due to a charger fault.

Severity colours: low, medium, high, critical. How we rate them

By part

Compare each fault with the same part on other engines: symptoms, cost and affected models.

Symptoms of these faults

What the Fiat 500e is

The 2020 Fiat 500e is a new model, distinct from the 2013 500e, with a 70 kW (95 hp) permanent-magnet synchronous motor and 23.8 kWh gross battery, or an 87 kW (118 hp) motor with a 42.2 kWh gross battery. DC rapid charging reaches 50 kW on the small battery and up to 85 kW on the large one, according to Wikipedia.[3]

Pre-series production began in February 2020, series production in July and deliveries in November 2020. The Abarth 500e (155 hp) arrived in 2023; it is not in our car register and this file does not cover it.[3]

Fiches-auto.fr records 23 owner reviews (7 with the 24 kWh battery and 16 with the 42 kWh one): the 12 V battery is the most frequently cited issue, there is one case of a high-voltage battery rendered unusable at 20 months and 8,689 km, and no electric motor fault appears.[1]

Manufacturer
Stellantis
Family
Fiat 500e (2020)
Type
Electrical
Engine
Síncrono de imanes permanentes, tracción delantera, con reductor de una relación
Battery
23.8–42.2 kWh
Power
95–118 hp
Peak torque
220 Nm
Production
since 2020
Makes
Fiat

Technical data[3][4]

What changed between versions

  1. since 2020

    500e Action 23.8 kWh, 95 hp (2020-)

    Entry version: 23.8 kWh gross battery (21.3 usable) and a 70 kW motor with 220 Nm. DC rapid charging of up to 50 kW.[3]

  2. since 2020

    500e 42 kWh, 118 hp (2020-)

    42.2 kWh gross battery (37.3 usable) and an 87 kW motor with 220 Nm; rapid charging of up to 85 kW according to Wikipedia.[3]

Cars fitted with the Fiat 500e

1 model sold in Europe. Open each one to see all its faults and the buying checklist.

Fiat

Compare the Fiat 500e

Maintenance parts for the Fiat 500e

The parts replaced at services and when the timing belt or chain is changed, searched for this engine. Confirm the part number with the registration plate or VIN.

Affiliate links: if you buy from these shops, MotorFiable may receive a commission at no cost to you. Check compatibility against the registration plate or VIN before ordering. Affiliate links

Are you buying a car with the Fiat 500e?

We will put you in touch with a partner only if you authorise it in the form.

Do you have a car with this engine? Tell us which faults you have had, at how many kilometres and how much you paid. Report your fault.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. Tous les problèmes sur Fiat 500e 2020 (23 témoignages)Fiches-auto.fr · Reliability study · consulted 30 October 2026 · in French
  2. Fiat 500e: Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
  3. Fiat 500e (Wikipedia, alemán)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
  4. Fiat 500e (Wikipedia, español)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026 · in Spanish