Technical 500e Software Update Question

[Nic82]

Hi,

I was due to pick up a nearly new 23 plate La Prima this week but dealer called to say the car would not be able to be collected until late next month due to it needing a software update to do with the battery. Dealer said they didn’t want to give me the car until the update is done in case I experienced any issues with it.

Taking the leap to electric was huge for me and this is putting me off taking the car I’m considering cancelling and keeping my much loved 9 year old 500c Lounge.

Just wondering if anyone has any thoughts or has heard anything about this? It sounds slightly fishy given people must be currently driving around in cars that are requiring this update!

Thanks

 

[Maybemaybenot]

That sounds very unlikely to be honest. The only ‘major’ update I know of should have been on that car from new as far as I know. Even if not then it should take an hour or two at most to apply. Tell them that and if their answer smells wrong cancel and buy elsewhere. There are plenty about and they’re very good little cars you won’t be disappointed.

 

[IanML]

Hi,

I was due to pick up a nearly new 23 plate La Prima this week but dealer called to say the car would not be able to be collected until late next month due to it needing a software update to do with the battery. Dealer said they didn’t want to give me the car until the update is done in case I experienced any issues with it.

Taking the leap to electric was huge for me and this is putting me off taking the car I’m considering cancelling and keeping my much loved 9 year old 500c Lounge.

Just wondering if anyone has any thoughts or has heard anything about this? It sounds slightly fishy given people must be currently driving around in cars that are requiring this update!

Thanks

No software update takes a month to apply. Maybe the car has a fault already known to FIAT, and they are trying to develop an update to address it. It may take longer!

 

[Maybemaybenot]

No software update takes a month to apply. Maybe the car has a fault already known to FIAT, and they are trying to develop an update to address it. It may take longer!

Then walk away. There are lots of others.

 

[Nic82]

No software update takes a month to apply. Maybe the car has a fault already known to FIAT, and they are trying to develop an update to address it. It may take longer

I think you could be right as they said the update won’t be available until end of May not that it would take that long to apply, I worded my initial post poorly!
That is also my worry that it could be longer. Dealer is calling back this week to see what I want to do so will quiz them more about it and take it from there. Thanks!

 

[Maybemaybenot]

I think you could be right as they said the update won’t be available until end of May not that it would take that long to apply, I worded my initial post poorly!
That is also my worry that it could be longer. Dealer is calling back this week to see what I want to do so will quiz them more about it and take it from there. Thanks!

I’m pretty sure they’re covering something else up.

 

[Nic82]

Then walk away. There are lots of others.

I’m pretty sure they’re covering something else up.

Yeah quite possibly, this was my thoughts also. Dealer had said they could get me an Icon but there are no other La Prima available. Will hopefully get some more answers from the dealer this week to help make my decision. Thanks

 

[Maybemaybenot]

Yeah quite possibly, this was my thoughts also. Dealer had said they could get me an Icon but there are no other La Prima available. Will hopefully get some more answers from the dealer this week to help make my decision. Thanks

Go to another dealer. Why continue with one that ‘smells’ wrong?

 

[Nic82]

We don’t have a lot of choice for Fiat in Scotland anymore unfortunately. I’ve used this dealer for all my Fiats and never had an issue with them until this. The only other dealer I know of up here can’t compete with their prices, 8/9k of a difference. At least the car will still be under warranty if I do decide to go ahead with it and the dealer is not pressuring me to take it so that gives me some comfort.

 

[gazz_bee]

Doesn't sound right to me. Can't see that they would have one model that they can give you without any concerns but the other one is being held back for an impending software update......

If it's the dealership I think it is, they're awash with Icons and Reds in stock so presumably want to shift these.

 

[Maybemaybenot]

If it's the dealership I think it is, they're awash with Icons and Reds in stock so presumably want to shift these.

That’s much more believable. I’d see what they say to you suggesting if it’s not ready by the end of next week you’ll walk.

 

[IanML]

,,,Will hopefully get some more answers from the dealer this week to help make my decision. Thanks

Ask them what the problem is that the software update is supposed to fix. Might be trivial.

 

[dantay999]

We don’t have a lot of choice for Fiat in Scotland anymore unfortunately. I’ve used this dealer for all my Fiats and never had an issue with them until this. The only other dealer I know of up here can’t compete with their prices, 8/9k of a difference. At least the car will still be under warranty if I do decide to go ahead with it and the dealer is not pressuring me to take it so that gives me some comfort.

Did you get your new car in the end? Hope it all worked out for you.

 

[Nic82]

Did you get your new car in the end? Hope it all worked out for you.

Still don’t have the car yet! It’s looking like sometime in June. There’s apparently a known issue to Fiat with the battery which can cause the car to come to a stop and since it’s a safety issue the dealer can’t give me the car. I did call another branch who had one available and it was also waiting on this update before it could leave the showroom. Not sure how much longer to wait as current petrol 500 needing some repairs before long

 

[Maybemaybenot]

Still don’t have the car yet! It’s looking like sometime in June. There’s apparently a known issue to Fiat with the battery which can cause the car to come to a stop and since it’s a safety issue the dealer can’t give me the car. I did call another branch who had one available and it was also waiting on this update before it could leave the showroom. Not sure how much longer to wait as current petrol 500 needing some repairs before long

This is a really weird one, not heard any other reports of this.

 

[dantay999]

Still don’t have the car yet! It’s looking like sometime in June. There’s apparently a known issue to Fiat with the battery which can cause the car to come to a stop and since it’s a safety issue the dealer can’t give me the car. I did call another branch who had one available and it was also waiting on this update before it could leave the showroom. Not sure how much longer to wait as current petrol 500 needing some repairs before long

It will be interesting (if they let you know) to find out exactly what the issue is as I would have thought it would effect collection of all new 500e’s?
Maybe it’s only brand new recently manufactured cars, do you know the build date for the car you’re waiting for? Is it a 2024 MY (model year car)?
Either way I hope when you get the car you’re really happy with it.

 

[Nic82]

It will be interesting (if they let you know) to find out exactly what the issue is as I would have thought it would effect collection of all new 500e’s?
Maybe it’s only brand new recently manufactured cars, do you know the build date for the car you’re waiting for? Is it a 2024 MY (model year car)?
Either way I hope when you get the car you’re really happy with it.

It’s a 2023 MY (73 plate) Possibly only affecting certain batch of batteries? I noticed someone on Fiat socials posting that their 500e has been in the garage for 5 months, I’ve sent the person a message to see if they can give me more info. I’ll keep you all updated.