April 2016
Dealer Service Instructions for:

Customer Satisfaction Notification S20
Reprogram Powertrain Control Module
Effective immediately all repairs on involved vehicles are to be performed
according to this campaign. Those vehicles that have already had this repair
performed, as determined by our warranty records, have been excluded from
this campaign.
Models

2012-2015

(FF) Fiat 500

NOTE: This campaign applies only to the above vehicles equipped with an
automatic transmission (Sales Code DF1 or DF4) built through October 31, 2014
(MDH103122).
IMPORTANT: Some of the involved vehicles may be in dealer used vehicle
inventory. Dealers should complete this campaign service on these vehicles
before retail delivery. Dealers should also perform this campaign on vehicles in
for service. Involved vehicles can be determined by using the VIP inquiry process.

Subject
The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software on about 81,000 of the above
vehicles may have backup lamp illumination timing that does not meet customer
expectations.

Repair
The PCM must be reprogrammed with new software.
 Copyright 2016, FCA US LLC, All Rights Reserved (srg)

Customer Satisfaction Notification S20
Reprogram Powertrain Control Module

Page 2

Parts Information
No parts are required to perform this service procedure.
Parts Return
No parts return required for this campaign.
Special Tools
The following special tools are required to perform this repair:
 NPN

wiTECH micro pod II

 NPN

Laptop Computer

 NPN

wiTECH Software

Service Procedure

Reprogram the Powertrain Control Module (PCM)
NOTE: The wiTECH scan tool must be used to perform this recall. The
wiTECH software is required to be at the latest release level before
performing this procedure. If the reprogramming flash for the PCM is
aborted or interrupted, repeat the procedure.
1. Open the hood. Install a battery charger and verify that the charging rate
provides 13.0 to 13.5 volts. Do not allow the charger to time out during the
flash process. Set the battery charger timer (if so equipped) to continuous
charge.
NOTE: Use an accurate stand-alone voltmeter. The battery charger volt
meter may not be sufficiently accurate. Voltages outside of the specified
range will cause an unsuccessful flash. If voltage reading is too high, apply
an electrical load by activating the park or headlamps and/or HVAC
blower motor to lower the voltage.

Customer Satisfaction Notification S20
Reprogram Powertrain Control Module

Page 3

Service Procedure (Continued)
2. Connect the wiTECH micro pod II to the vehicle data link connector.
3. Place the ignition in the “RUN” position.
4. Open the wiTECH Diagnostic application.
5. Starting at the “Select Tool” screen, highlight the row/tool for the wiPOD
device you are using. Then select “Next” at bottom right side of the screen.
6. Enter your “User id” and “Password”, then select “Finish” at the bottom of the
screen.
7. From the “Vehicle View” screen, click on the “Powertrain Control Module
(PCM)” icon.
8. From the “PCM View” screen, select the “flash tab” then compare the
“Current PCM Flash Number” with the “New Part Number” listed on the
“sort table”.
 If the “Current PCM Flash Number” is the same as the “New Part
Number”, continue to Step 12.
 If the “Current PCM Flash Number” is not the same as the “New Part
Number”, continue to Step 9.
9. With the cursor over the desired flash file, click the green arrow button on the
right side of the screen to start the update process.
10. From the “Flash Tab” screen, follow the wiTECH “Screen Prompt”
instructions to complete the reprogramming.
11. Verify that all Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) have been cleared.
12. Turn the ignition to the “OFF” position and remove the wiTECH micro pod II
and battery charger from the vehicle.
13. Return the vehicle to the customer.

Customer Satisfaction Notification S20
Reprogram Powertrain Control Module

Page 4

Completion Reporting and Reimbursement
Claims for vehicles that have been serviced must be submitted on the
DealerCONNECT Claim Entry Screen located on the Service tab. Claims
submitted will be used by FCA to record recall service completions and provide
dealer payments.
Use the following labor operation number and time allowance:
Labor Operation
Time
Number
Allowance
PCM update previously performed

18-S2-01-81

0.2 hours

Reprogram PCM

18-S2-01-82

0.3 hours

NOTE: See the Warranty Administration Manual, Recall Claim Processing
Section, for complete claim processing instructions.
Dealer Notification
To view this notification on DealerCONNECT, select “Global Recall System” on
the Service tab, then click on the description of this notification.

Owner Notification and Service Scheduling
All involved vehicle owners known to FCA are being notified of the service
requirement by mail. They are requested to schedule appointments for this service
with their dealers. A generic copy of the owner letter is attached.
Enclosed with each owner letter is an Owner Notification postcard to allow owners
to update our records if applicable.

Customer Satisfaction Notification S20
Reprogram Powertrain Control Module

Page 5

Vehicle Lists, Global Recall System, VIP and Dealer Follow Up
All involved vehicles have been entered into the DealerCONNECT Global Recall
System (GRS) and Vehicle Information Plus (VIP) for dealer inquiry as needed.
GRS provides involved dealers with an updated VIN list of their incomplete
vehicles. The owner’s name, address and phone number are listed if known.
Completed vehicles are removed from GRS within several days of repair claim
submission.
To use this system, click on the “Service” tab and then click on “Global Recall
System.” Your dealer’s VIN list for each recall displayed can be sorted by: those
vehicles that were unsold at campaign launch, those with a phone number, city, zip
code, or VIN sequence.
Dealers should perform this repair on all unsold vehicles before retail
delivery. Dealers should also use the VIN list to follow up with all owners to
schedule appointments for this repair.
VIN lists may contain confidential, restricted owner name and address information that was
obtained from the Department of Motor Vehicles of various states. Use of this information is
permitted for this notification only and is strictly prohibited from all other use.

Additional Information
If you have any questions or need assistance in completing this action, please
contact your Service and Parts District Manager.
Customer Service / Field Operations
FCA US LLC

REPROGRAM POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE
____________________________________________________________________________________

CUSTOMER SATISFACTION NOTIFICATION

S20

This notice applies to your vehicle (VIN: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx).
Dear: (Name)
At FCA US LLC, we recognize that the success of our business depends on the satisfaction of our customers. We
are constantly monitoring the quality of our products and looking for opportunities to improve our vehicles even
after they are sold. Because your long-term satisfaction is important to us, we are contacting you on important
improvements we would like to make to your vehicle. This will be done at no charge to you.
We are recommending the following improvements be performed on certain 2012 through 2015 model year
Fiat 500 vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission.

The problem is...

The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software on your vehicle may have backup
lamp illumination timing that does not meet customer expectations.

What your studio
will do…

FCA will service your vehicle free of charge. To do this, your studio will reprogram the
powertrain control module. The work will take about ½ hour to complete. We recommend
that you make an appointment with your dealer to minimize your inconvenience.

What you should
do…

Simply contact your Fiat studio, at your convenience, to schedule a service appointment.
Your studio will collect the necessary information to ensure that the appropriate parts are
available so your service can be completed in a timely manner. Although not required, we
recommend bringing this letter with you to your studio, when you bring your vehicle in for
this service.

If you need help…

Please contact the Fiat Customer Assistance Center at 1-888-242-6342.

Please help us update our records by filling out the attached prepaid postcard, if any of the conditions listed on the
card apply to your vehicle. If you have further questions go to recalls.mopar.com.
If you have already experienced this specific condition and have paid to have it repaired, you may visit
www.fcarecallreimbursement.com to submit your reimbursement request online or you can mail your original
receipts and proof of payment to the following address for reimbursement consideration: FCA Customer
Assistance, P.O. Box 21-8004, Auburn Hills, MI 48321-8007, Attention: Recall Reimbursement. Once we
receive and verify the required documents, reimbursement will be sent to you within 60 days. If you’ve had
previous repairs and/or reimbursement you may still need to have the repair performed on your vehicle.
We apologize for any inconvenience this service may cause to your schedule. FCA is committed to providing our
customers with world class quality products, ensuring that you have a positive dealership experience and following
up on any issues and concerns that you may have in a timely manner through our Customer Assistance Center.
Thank you for being our customer.
Sincerely,
Customer Service / Field Operations
FCA US LLC