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2012 Fiat 500: problems, recalls and reliability

4 recalls and 394 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (49% of complaints); the 2013 and 2014 model years look more trouble-free.

Data updated weekly · latest recall Nov 2019

4
recalls
394
owner complaints
4
fire reports
49,000
typical failure mileage, mi

All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.

NHTSA crash testOverall ★★★★★Front ★★★★Side ★★★★★Rollover ★★★★
One of the most complained-about 500 years (#1 of 6, age-adjusted)Weak spot: power train (49%)4 fire reports

Common problems

Computed from 394 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.

Power Train (transmission, axles, driveline)49% · 181 complaints
Electrical System (battery, wiring, electronics)10% · 36 complaints
Engine (engine mechanics)7% · 27 complaints
Air Bags (airbags and crash sensors)7% · 24 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System (fuel pump, tank, lines)5% · 18 complaints
Steering (steering wheel, rack, power assist)4% · 13 complaints
The clutch went out while downshifting upon making a turn onto a street. The gear shift became wobbly and would not shift into any gear. This happened without warning. Minutes before, my passenger and I were driving across town on a freeway.Owner report · Power Train · May 2026
I have been dealing with identity theft and not really sure why when I put vin number to my vehicle I purchased September 25 2025 it says a different colorOwner report · Unknown Or Other · Oct 2025
The contact owns a 2012 Fiat 500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal clunking sound coming from underneath the front of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.Owner report · Suspension · Feb 2025
Show 7 more owner reports
Front Wheel hub bearings grinding, very fast wear and tear Transmission still not shifting right after recall shifter cable replaced not grabbing gearsOwner report · Power Train · Aug 2024
The wiring harness bundle leading to the trunk failed between the trunk & upper drivers side of the car. Upper brake lights stopped working, then rear defroster, then trunk wouldn't open & I got a license plate light warning on the dash. Mechanic tried to replace switch, still didn't work, the tried to replace handle (with license plate light). Mechanic broke more wires in bundle, back brake lights stopped working. The wiring harness bundle leading into the trunk is defective.Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2024
The contact owns a 2012 Fiat 500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V302000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.Owner report · Power Train · Apr 2024
The contact owns a 2012 Fiat 500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V302000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated while attempting to reverse, the transmission failed to respond as needed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, and it was confirmed that the recall repair was not yet available and there was no expected date when parts would be available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 170,000. Parts distribution disconnect.Owner report · Power Train · Apr 2024
The contact owns a Cybex Car Seat, Model Name: Aton 2, Manufactured Date: Aug 2019. The car seat was used in a 2012 Fiat 500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23C001000 (Child Seat). The contact reached out to the manufacturer to have a replacement seat mailed out; however, the contact was not provided the replacement car seat. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.Owner report · Child Seat · Jan 2024
The contact owns a 2012 Fiat 500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V302000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the clutch assembly. The vehicle was not repaired due to parts not being available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was filed. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was unknown. Parts distribution disconnect.Owner report · Power Train · Nov 2023
The contact owns a 2012 Fiat 500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V302000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and determined that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.Owner report · Power Train · Nov 2023

When filing, owners marked a crash in 21 of these complaints and injuries in 17 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.

Recalls - 4 campaigns

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION19V817000 · Nov 2019

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.

Remedy: 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.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID11V550000 · Nov 2011

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.

Remedy: 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.

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION16V302000 · May 2016

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.

Remedy: 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.

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:FLOOR SHIFT ASSEMBLY19E044000 · Jul 2019

DLT, LLC. is recalling certain CravenSpeed Fiat Short Shifter shafts sold for use in 2011-2019 Fiat 500 vehicles. The Shifter Shaft may have been improperly manufactured with a through hole for the set screw rather than a blind hole, which may lead to the breakage of the Shifter Shaft.

Remedy: DLT has notified owners, and will provide a complete replacement shifter assembly with an updated shaft, free of charge. The recall began July 24, 2019. Owners may contact DLT customer service at 1-503-505-6886.

Trouble codes owners mention

OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.

How other years compare

Check your exact 500 by VIN

Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.

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Frequently asked questions

Is the 2012 Fiat 500 reliable?

NHTSA has 394 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2012 Fiat 500. The most complained-about area is power train (49% of complaints).

At what mileage do 2012 Fiat 500 problems usually appear?

Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 49,000 miles or less.

Does the 2012 Fiat 500 have open recalls?

4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning power train:automatic transmission. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.