2018 Fiat 124 Spider problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (8) · Seat Belts (3) · Engine (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 (60)
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 60 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-01-23 · Air Bags“manufacturer is not able to perform recall service. no dealers have the proper tool necessary to complete repair. i've tried all dealers in atlanta ga area. …”
2025-09-24 · Air Bags“hello, can you please direct me to the proper office to file a complaint against a fiat dealership which refuses to complete a recall? thank you, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)…”
2025-07-10 · Air Bags“the contact owns a 2018 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 contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the dealer was contacted twice and confirmed that the man…”
2025-06-12 · Air Bags“the contact owns a 2018 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 made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. the contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable a…”
2025-04-23 · Air Bags“received recall letter last year and fiat still does not know when there will be a remedy. …”
2025-04-18 · Air Bags“the contact owns a 2018 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 contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that…”
2025-03-28 · Air Bags“the contact owns a 2018 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 exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the dealer was not contacted. the manufacturer was not made aware of…”
2025-01-29 · Air Bags“the contact owns a 2018 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 dealer was not contacted. the manufacturer was made aware o…”
2024-11-18 · Fuel System, Gasoline · 25,000 mi“the contact owns a 2018 fiat 124 spider. the contact stated that on several occasions, the vehicle failed to start. there was no warning light illuminated. the vehicle had been towed to the dealer several times where battery, spark plugs, starter, and other engine parts were replaced; however, the failure reoccurred approximately one year later. th…”
2024-10-23 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump · 6,000 mi“the contact owns a 2018 fiat 124 spider. the contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle stalled and failed to return to normal operation. no warning light was illuminated. the contact researched and was made aware of an undisclosed nhtsa campaign however, the vin was not included. the vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnos…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.