Fiat 600e Electric Mk1

This is the most significant known issue across Stellantis electric vehicles. The Mahle-manufactured CAOBC1 11 kW three-phase charger can fail progressively: first losing one or two phases (dropping from 11 kW to around 7 kW or 3.7 kW), then failing entirely. When this happens, the car can only DC fast charge. The unit costs approximately €2,200-3,800 at a dealer, and salvage parts cannot be used because the OBC must be dealer-coded to the vehicle. Stellantis made three Mahle revisions without fully solving the problem, then switched to a VMAX unit from a Chinese manufacturer for newer production. Cars from mid-to-late 2024 onwards are more likely to have the improved VMAX charger, which charges consistently at 10.3-10.4 kW. Stellantis has offered goodwill coverage on some affected vehicles up to 4-5 years. The 600e, being a newer model on e-CMP2, is less affected than older e-CMP cars (Corsa-e, e-208), but early 2023-2024 production units may still carry the Mahle charger.

Many 600e owners report recurring infotainment issues including screen freezes during use, Bluetooth disconnections, Android Auto/Apple CarPlay dropping out, and over-the-air updates that fail at low percentages. These issues are shared with sister models on the same platform (Jeep Avenger, Alfa Romeo Junior). A 10-second press of the system power button typically performs a soft reset. Stellantis has been issuing OTA and dealer-applied software updates to address these bugs. While not typically costly to repair (usually resolved under warranty or via free updates), these issues affect daily usability. The Fiat app has also been criticized for limited functionality, and checking charging status requires a paid subscription (around €9/month).

Like other Stellantis EVs, the 600e has background systems (anti-theft, tire pressure monitoring, telematics) that draw power even when parked. If the car sits unused for 10-14 days, the 12V battery can discharge to a point where the car will not start or open. This is a characteristic of the platform rather than a defect. The 12V battery itself can fail prematurely, particularly in warmer climates where heat from the onboard charger accelerates degradation. Replacement costs €150-350 depending on whether done at a dealer or independently. Keeping the car plugged in when parked for extended periods helps, as the high-voltage battery can trickle-charge the 12V system.

A recall (code 6847) was issued for 600 and 600e models manufactured between April and May 2024. A crack in the electric power steering motor can cause plastic components to detach from the worm wheel, leading to progressively stiff steering or, in worst case, complete steering blockage. This affected approximately 294 vehicles across 600 and 600e models. The fix involves replacing the steering gear at an authorized workshop, free of charge under recall. If buying a car from this production window, verify the recall has been completed. Outside the recall population, this is not a widespread concern.

Several owners have reported the drive selector button intermittently failing to engage, with the dashboard displaying a gearbox fault message. The issue appears inconsistent, sometimes working for one driver but not another, suggesting a sensor sensitivity problem rather than a complete mechanical failure. In most cases, dealers have resolved this with a software update. Some owners report the problem recurring after the update. If the issue persists, the selector module may need replacement (around €300-500). This appears to be an early-production software maturity issue rather than a fundamental design flaw.