Recall 14V481 affects 25,479 2014-2015 FIAT 500L vehicles for improper driver's knee airbag deployment. Repair is free at any franchised FIAT dealer.
FIAT is recalling 25,479 2014-2015 500L vehicles because irregular folding during assembly can keep the driver's knee airbag from deploying properly in a crash. That failure raises the risk of driver injury, and the FIAT dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The driver's knee airbag in a 2014-2015 FIAT 500L sits low in the dash near the steering column. Its job is to deploy in a crash and help control the driver's lower-body movement, which supports the rest of the occupant protection system.
On affected vehicles, the problem comes from the way the driver's knee airbag was folded during assembly. An airbag has to be packed in a specific pattern so it opens in the correct shape and sequence. If that fold is wrong, deployment is not controlled as designed, so the airbag does not provide the intended knee-area protection in a crash.
There is no warning sign before failure. The issue is inside the airbag module, so owners are not expected to hear, feel, or see a change during normal driving.
Who's affected?
The scope is limited to one model and one air bag system component across the 2014 and 2015 model years.
| 2015 FIAT 500L | air bag system |
|---|---|
| 2014 FIAT 500L | air bag system |
| Units affected | 25,479 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific hatchback is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the driver's knee airbag fails to deploy correctly in a crash, the driver faces a higher risk of injury. Schedule recall service soon if your VIN is included. Repair will be free at any franchised FIAT dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2014-2015 FIAT 500L is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised FIAT dealer to ask about the free driver's knee air bag replacement, which fixes the improper-deployment risk in a crash.
- Bring the recall notice if FIAT mailed one. If not, reference recall number 14V481 when you call.
- Ask FIAT customer service at 1-800-853-1403 about recall P42 if the dealer cannot confirm the repair path.
What happens at the repair
The recall filing identifies a dealer repair: a FIAT technician replaces the driver's knee air bag, the part that helps protect the driver's lower body in a crash. The replacement is performed at no charge under the recall once the repair is available through the dealer. Ask the service desk to confirm that your VIN is included before the air bag work is started.
Timeline
| August 6, 2014 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| September 26, 2014 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 14V481?
Recall 14V481 covers 25,479 2014-2015 FIAT 500L vehicles with a driver's knee airbag that was folded incorrectly during assembly. In a crash, the knee airbag can deploy improperly and increase driver injury risk. FIAT dealers replace the driver's knee airbag for free.
What should I do if my 2014-2015 FIAT 500L is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific 500L is included in recall 14V481. If it is, contact a franchised FIAT dealer to schedule the driver's knee airbag replacement. Reference recall number 14V481 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 14V481, FIAT dealers replace the driver's knee airbag free of charge, including parts and labor, regardless of where you bought the vehicle.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is increased driver injury in a crash. Recall 14V481 involves the driver's knee airbag, which can deploy improperly because of an assembly-folding defect. The repair path is clear: confirm your VIN, then have a franchised FIAT dealer replace the knee airbag for free.
What if I bought my FIAT 500L used?
The free repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the first owner. If you never received the 2014 owner notice, check your VIN to confirm whether your 2014-2015 FIAT 500L is included, then call a franchised FIAT dealer with recall number 14V481.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/14V481000 |
|---|---|
| FIAT customer service | 1-800-853-1403 |
| NHTSA recall # | 14V481 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 14V481000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →