2012 Fiat 500 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (175) · Suspension (19) · Engine (19)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Fiat 500 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
288 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (4)
Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift 2019-11-15 · campaign 19V817000 · 51,788 vehicles
Defect: 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.
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.
Power Train:manual Transmission:floor Shift Assembly 2019-07-03 · campaign 19E044000 · 740 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: If the shifter breaks while the vehicle is in motion, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Power Train:manual Transmission 2016-05-16 · campaign 16V302000 · 39,185 vehicles
Defect: 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.
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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:fluid 2011-11-10 · campaign 11V550000 · 340 vehicles
Defect: 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.
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.
Service bulletins (132)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Structure:body 2026-06-04 · 23-021-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
broken exterior driver and/or passenger door handles xb2 warranty extension customers may comment the following: ● one or both exterior door handles are broken. this bulletin involves replacing one or both exterior door handles.
Engine 2025-07-08 · 9100624 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
verify reman part number availability. order the "r" part number for all orders:
Equipment 2023-09-20 · 9100229 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
lifter, hydraulic roller deactivating please do not replace mds lifters because the disconnecting pin is not lined up, this is normal and not a defect.
Suspension 2023-09-20 · 9100229 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
lifter, hydraulic roller deactivating please do not replace mds lifters because the disconnecting pin is not lined up, this is normal and not a defect.
Electrical System 2023-09-15 · 9100226 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
connector kit before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957a$, check it in the mopar connector repair kit website to confirm part number and applicability. there is an error with the wiring diagrams in service library that is causing the incorrect repair kit part number to populate. please use
Electrical System:wiring 2023-09-15 · 9100226 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
connector kit before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957a$, check it in the mopar connector repair kit website to confirm part number and applicability. there is an error with the wiring diagrams in service library that is causing the incorrect repair kit part number to populate. please use
Showing the 6 most recent of 132 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-09-21 · Power Train“the contact owns a 2012 fiat 500. the contact stated that upon shifting the gear shifter into drive(d), park(p), or reverse(r), the transmission failed to shift into the intended gear and shifted into a different gear. the vehicle was towed to the dealer after each failure. the dealer repaired the vehicle under nhtsa campaign number: 19v817000 (pow…”
2026-09-10 · Unknown Or Other“i am filing a complaint concerning a recurring gear shift failure in my 2012 fiat 500c. the same failure has occurred three times between june 10 and september 8, 2026. on june 10, 2026 i was able to move shift lever but the transmission remained in reverse and would not shift into another gear despite multiple attempts. i did not know what the ca…”
2026-05-12 · Power Train“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.…”
2025-10-08 · Wheels“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 color …”
2025-06-20 · Unknown Or Other“the vehicle had been stalling out on numerous occasions one being a freezing xmas eve in drive thru if it had happened somewhere isolated the driver could have frozen. i rented cars several times and replaced the alternator ,battery and at the final point at the dealership the mechanic suggested i purchase a $600 battery though i had a brand new on…”
2025-02-06 · Suspension“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…”
2024-10-22 · Electrical System“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). mec…”
2024-08-30 · Power Train · 214,000 mi“the contact owns a 2012 fiat 500. the contact stated while driving at approximately 65 mph, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. the contact stated no warning light was illuminated. the contact was able to exit the highway. the contact stated that while attempting to restart the vehicle, the clutc…”
2024-08-12 · Power Train“front wheel hub bearings grinding, very fast wear and tear transmission still not shifting right after recall shifter cable replaced not grabbing gears …”
2024-08-02 · Power Train · 170,000 mi“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 fai…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.