KnownCarProblems2012 Fiat 500 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 396 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Fiat 500, most often about the transmission (51% of complaints, typically around 48,000 miles). It is the most complained-about 500 model year since 2000 and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2012 Fiat 500 problems
Transmission
201 complaints · 51%Half of these problems showed up before 48,000 miles. Parts named most often: clutch assembly.
Vehicle clutch failed to disengage. Dealer advised customer (me) parts not under warranty and advised Fiat that clutch is worn out. Dealer completed the repair; customer paid $940 for repair. Dealer invoice notes: "clutch pressure plate spring damage and distorted" - damaged component is not a wear-and-tear component…
The oil pressure sensor warning light would randomly go on and off. The vehicle was taken to the dealership three times to repair the problem. On the third time, the dealership said that it was due to a damaged short block and that it would need to be replaced. This was in october 2014 and the mileage was 52,500 so my…
Electrical
63 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 41,000 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, instrument cluster/panel, ignition, alternator/generator/regulator.
The contact owns a 2012 Fiat 500. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start when attempting to drive. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was towed to ron lewis chrysler dodge jeep ram Fiat cranberry (21145 US-19, cranberry twp, pa 16066, ([phone]) where it was diagnosed that the starter…
The wiring harness gets crimped when it goes from the main body of the car into the hatch creating shorts and malfaction of electric components. As, does the rear wiper hose. Which leaks and empties into the wiring harness. This happens everywhere, at all times.
Engine
53 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 30,500 miles.
Took car in for service with 29,600 miles on it. Was told it needed new valve cover gasket, both cv boots replaced, and both transmission output seals replaced. I had already replaced one transmission output seal at 22,000 miles. Total cost $900 all out of warranty. I've already filed a complaint about having to…
The contact owns a 2012 Fiat 500 being hauled by a 2006 dodge sprinter 2500. While the Fiat was being towed, the gear independently shifted from neutral into drive. The failure caused substantial engine damage. The vehicle was included in, but the contact was not notified of NHTSA campaign number: 16v302000 (power…
Other or unspecified
36 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 66,000 miles.
One day my air bag failiure light came om along with a fuel cutoff unavailble light. Both of these lights were temporarily fixed by manually locking and unlocking the doors. Recently that fix has not worked. While these errors are happening my cruise control will not turn on at all.
I am a real estate agent. Last year 2019 I went to an open house and parked in the driveway which was on an incline - with a plateau for parking. I've been driving a standard transmission for 30 years. When I park I place my gear in 1st with the parking brake fully engaged. I parked the car, went into the home to view…
Air bags
32 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 66,500 miles.
Warning says airbag malfunction,all the time.brakes wear every 1000 miles.wheel bearings went out at 70,000 miles..these malfunctions happen when moving...
Takata recall - chrysler owns Fiat and I had a problem with my air bags on a 2012 Fiat. I was in a small fender bender. All air bags opened but all the front air bags ruptured. No one else was in the car with me but the sensor in the passenger seat did not kick in. All air bags deployed. I had injuries which were a…
Fuel system
23 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 54,000 miles. Parts named most often: storage.
Suddenly one day I was no longer able to pump gas into my vehicle. Whenever I try to fill up my gas tank gas were just back up, no matter how empty my tank was. I took my vehicle to my dealership, and a stated that there was a valve at the top of my gas at the top of my fuel tank that is preventing the gas from…
When trying to pump gas in car, it would take about 10 mins to pump one gallon and it would shut off constantly. In other words when squeezing the pump, it would put a few drops and cut off and it would continuously do this. The problems was the roller over shut off valve was stuck and the solution was to get a whole…
Suspension
21 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 46,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2012 Fiat 500. The contact stated that after driving, the tires were extremely warm. The vehicle was taken to a tire specialist to be inspected. The contact was informed that the passenger's side front control arm bolt loosened from the vehicle which caused the tire to tilt inward with the front…
At 47,500 miles and 4 years, 9 months of ownership, my passenger side lower front ball joint broke. There were no signs of problems leading up to the breakage. Unfortunately Fiat no longer makes the 2012 lower front ball joints and the 2013+ ball joints require a new assembly so the entire ball joint, control arm…
Steering
19 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 55,000 miles.
Pulling away from a stop light under light acceleration, multiple warning lights came on including "ESC disabled" and multiple light warnings for the gearbox, the steering, electronic throttle control, general malfunction light, ESC off light, and ESC malfunction light, and lost power steering, almost causing an…
Vehicle has a defective intermediate steering shaft. This part was already replaced once under warranty with Fiat admitting that the part is defective/substandard for purpose it fills in the cars steering functionality. After a period of time (appx 3 years or 36k miles) it starts making a clunk when turning at slow…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2012 Fiat 500 recalls
Transmission: floor shift
Risk: If the shifter cable detaches from the transmission, the transmission may not shift into the gear selected by the driver. Additionally, despite selecting park with the shifter, the vehicle may roll away. These scenarios may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter cable adjuster, free of charge. The recall began january 9, 2020. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is vb4.
Full defect summary
Chrysler (fca US llc) is recalling certain 2012-2013 fiat 500 vehicles equipped with 6-speed automatic transmissions. The shifter cable bushing may fail allowing the cable to detach from the transmission.
Transmission: manual transmission
Risk: If the clutch diaphragm spring fails, the driver may not be able to shift gears or the vehicle may lose motive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: The remedy for this recall will include the installation of a clutch pedal limiter and a clutch pedal switch. The recall began on november 10, 2016. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is s34.
Full defect summary
Chrysler (fca US llc) is recalling certain model year 2012-2016 fiat 500 vehicles manufactured june 21, 2010, through january 12, 2016, equipped with a manual transmission. The clutch diaphragm spring may fracture and fail, causing an inability to switch gears.
Brakes: fluid
Risk: This could lead to loss of braking ability increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners and replace all brake components that come in contact with hydraulic brake fluid. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on march 1, 2012. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Full defect summary
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2012 dodge journey and fiat 500 vehicles manufactured from october 24, 2011, through october 26, 2011. Some vehicles were assembled with contaminated brake fluid and may experience a degradation of the sealing components within the brake system.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Electrical overstress
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect.â during the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (acu) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) electronic control unit (ecu) manufactured by zf-trw. â the ecu receives signals from crash sensors mounted in the vehicle and deploys the vehicle air bags and seat belt pretensioners in accordance with m
Questions about the 2012 Fiat 500
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Fiat 500?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (201 complaints, typically around 48,000 miles); electrical (63 complaints, typically around 41,000 miles); engine (53 complaints, typically around 30,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2012 Fiat 500 have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from November 15, 2019 (transmission). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2012 a bad year for the Fiat 500?
- It is the most complained-about 500 model year since 2000, with 396 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.