2017 Fiat 124 Spider problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (13) · Electrical System (5) · Visibility/Wiper (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Fiat 124 Spider model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (2)
Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control Module:software 2024-09-18 · campaign 24V694000 · 15,835 vehicles
Defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2020 Fiat 124 Spider vehicles. A software error in the air bag control module may cause the front air bags to deploy with excessive force during a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk: An air bag that deploys with excessive force can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will update the air bag control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 26, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is A3B.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) 2019-02-05 · campaign 19V068000 · 8,950 vehicles
Defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Fiat Spider 124 vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. Due to incorrect programming of the Transmission Control Module (TCM), certain conditions may cause the vehicle to unexpectedly downshift and abruptly decelerate.
Risk: If a downshift occurs, the vehicle will suddenly decrease speed, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the TCM software, free of charge. The recall began March 28, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V20.
Service bulletins (76)
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 2025-08-16 · 31-001-25 REV. B · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
aluminum body panel corrosion repair aluminum corrosion or bubbling along the leading edge of hood, hinges or other exterior surface areas of the hinges, doors, fenders, swing gates or liftgates.
Structure:body 2025-08-14 · 31-001-25 REV. A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
aluminum body panel corrosion repair aluminum corrosion or bubbling along the leading edge of hood, hinges or other exterior surface areas of the hinges, doors, fenders, swing gates or liftgates.
Structure:body 2025-08-13 · 31-001-25 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
aluminum body panel corrosion repair aluminum corrosion or bubbling along the leading edge of hood, hinges or other exterior surface areas of the hinges, doors, fenders, swing gates or liftgates
Structure:body 2024-07-24 · 31-001-24 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
"aluminum body panel corrosion repair aluminum corrosion or bubbling along the leading edge of hood, hinges or other exterior surface areas of the hinges, doors, fenders, swing gates or liftgates. note: verify current warranty policy to determine if digital imaging pre-authorization is required or p
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery 2024-01-10 · S1408000384 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
start stop charging warning lamp illuminated on, intelligent battery sensor (ibs) state of charge (soc) inaccurate, battery charging message, presence of ibs related diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs), or battery warning lamp on
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.
Showing the 6 most recent of 76 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-10 · Wheels“i am submitting this complaint to request an independent investigation into a reported wheel-fitment safety concern involving the above-identified fiat 124 spider, which is currently being offered for sale by carvana. my concern is that a potentially unsafe wheel configuration was identified by a fiat dealership service advisor, communicated to si…”
2026-06-29 · Engine“when the automobile isn’t driven or started for 3 weeks or more the engine will not start. the multiair system will lose its oil pressure. the manufacturer needs to do a recall to fix this problem. this car isn’t designed to be an everyday driver and this is a well known and documented problem. …”
2025-08-11 · Air Bags“the contact owns a 2017 fiat 124 spider. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 24v694000 (air bags); 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 manufacturer was made aware of the issue. the contact had n…”
2025-06-12 · Engine“vehicle has been consuming excessive amount of oil & has affected my engine and turbo. when the oil is low, car will just turn off and stop running.…”
2025-06-11 · Air Bags“i am writing to formally express my concern and disappointment regarding the lack of transparency and communication surrounding the airbag recall for the fiat 124, first issued in 2024. as of today, fiat has not provided any meaningful updates, solutions, or timelines regarding this serious safety issue. there has been no information uploaded to o…”
2025-05-28 · Air Bags“the contact owns a 2017 fiat 124 spider. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 24v694000 (air bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. the local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. the contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of t…”
2025-05-22 · Air Bags“i received the airbag recall letter in december (recall a3b)on my 2017 spyder fiat. i understand that the recall started in september.i have called fiat every month since. i am always advised the parts are not available with no update on when the parts will become available. the airbag warning light is on. due to the safety recall the car is not sa…”
2025-05-16 · Air Bags“*i received a safety recall notice for the airbag deployment early november 2024. *i’ve contacted the dealership twice and they claim to not have the necessary part. *i’ve called manufacturer fiat / fca on 11/20/24 case #91148616, 12/12/24 and4/28/25. *other fiat owners have also reached out to fca unsuccessfully for this repair. *evidently there…”
2025-05-01 · Air Bags“the contact owns a 2017 fiat 124 spider. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 24v694000 (air bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. the local dealer was contacted. the contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the manufacturer was made…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.