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2012 Fiat 500 problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2012 Fiat 500 has been recalled for, how often it fails the UK MOT and what owners report, from official government data. Updated October 25, 2026.
- 4safety recalls
- 396owner complaints
- 21crash reports
- 4fire reports
- 37%fail the UK MOT
The most complained-about Fiat 500 year on file: 396 complaints, against an average of 69 for the other 6 model years.
Every Fiat 500 model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
What goes wrong with the 2012 Fiat 500?
The components named most often in the 396 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What symptoms do 2012 Fiat 500 owners describe?
Found by reading the text of all 396 owner complaints. Tap a symptom for the answer, a real owner quote and any related recall.
Has the 2012 Fiat 500 been recalled?
4 U.S. safety recalls. Repairs are free at a franchised dealer; some are done over the air.
Power Train: Automatic Transmission: Lever And Linkage: Floor Shift 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 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 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 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.
Is the 2012 Fiat 500 recalled in the UK or Europe?
Recalls issued by the UK's DVSA and through the EU's Safety Gate system that cover this model and build period. European models can differ from U.S. ones, and "years estimated" means the recall gave no build dates, so confirm your own car with your registration or VIN.
UK DVSAInterior and exterior vehicle lighting may fail
Risk: It is possible under extreme conditions that the wiring harness under the dashboard could come into contact with the steering column. This over a period of time may result in the chaffing of wires in the harness. If this should occur then it is possible both the exterior and instrument lights could fail.
Fix: Recall all affected vehicles to provide additional security of the wiring loom.
UK DVSAInterior and exterior vehicle lighting may fail
Risk: It is possible under extreme conditions that the wiring harness under the dashboard could come into contact with the steering column. This over a period of time may result in the chaffing of wires in the harness. If this should occur then it is possible both the exterior and instrument lights could fail.
Fix: Recall all affected vehicles to provide additional security of the wiring loom.
UK DVSABraking efficiency may be reduced
Risk: A connector on the brake servo pipe may fail and cause a loss of vacuum assistance necessitating the driver to include additional effort when braking.
Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to fit a new brake servo pipe.
EU Safety GateOwing to a design defect affecting the door trim, in the event of a side impact this may break and injure the passengers.Years estimated
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Other; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe brake servo connector may not comply with the manufacturer's requirements, which could affect the braking ability of the vehicle,…Years estimatedThe brake servo connector may not comply with the manufacturer's requirements, which could affect the braking ability of the vehicle, leading to the risk of an accident.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Other; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
How often does the 2012 Fiat 500 fail its MOT?
Why they failed: the share of failed tests with at least one fault in each area (a test can fail on several). Cars first registered in 2012, tested in Great Britain in 2023; first registration is usually, but not always, the model year. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0.
What do 2012 Fiat 500 owners report?
12 of the 396 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
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 (Power Train); however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure several times by phone and by an online complaint. Several cases were filed and the contact was referred to the dealer for assistance.
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.
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 one. The dealership gave me a $200 credit but it happened again, the mechanic in town said the Bluetooth component was draining the battery. They removed it and no problem since. The dealership mechanic talked around the issue and would not answer my…
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.
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.
As reported by numerous consumers the power steering just stop working while driving with no warnings. This caused a wreck involving my son & I and we're admitted to hospital. Apparently this is a widely reported problem yet it has not attention. It's extremely dangerous and cost more to fix than what the car is worth.
The air bag light will come on then turn off Is their a malfunction of the air bag or is it just coming on and off and will the air bag respond normally in a crash it been happening for approximately a year now it hasn't been inspected
I've had 3 different issues with the transmission- There's been 1 recall on the clutch- The transmission put me in Great danger I was driving on the freeway about 60 mph when the car just popped into neutral- I was terrified and I managed to pull to safety to put the manual transmission into gear- I didn't want it to happen again- I had to hold the gear until I got to an exit to get off the freeway- I had the Fiat towed to the dealership and fixed- then 6 months later driving again and it jumps out of gear into Neutral another scare- I put it in the shop and it cost me $4646,00 to replace the…
I bought this car about a year ago, ever since I got the car the first issue started within a month it just started to shut off for no reason first at a traffic light, afterward while I was driving called the dealership who sold me the car I was told to bring it to find out they did not have a certified Fiat Mechanic that would be able to look at the car so it was towed to another dealership. I was told they fixed the issue but once again the vehicle started doing the same thing even more frequently fast forward my car has yet to be fixed I feel like I am going to get rear-ended and hurt…
Every time I pump fuel in the vehicle, the pump stops prematurely. It’ll pump for a few seconds and then seize. I would have to continuously press the handle every time the pump stops and clicks every few seconds. After I’m done fueling, it smells like gasoline inside my vehicle. I took my Fiat 500 to the dealership in January of 2019 to have Sunland Park technicians check the issue. Technicians diagnosed the vehicle and claimed it was a faulty fuel tank. Fuel tank was replaced and issue had gone away for approximately a year then proceeded to do the same issue again. Went back to the…
I bought this car from a dealer in Fortville (Carlux) who said it had a clean history, this car was meant to be driven by my 17 year old to school, after driving it for 1 week she noticed weird sounds on turning and the engine being very loud and not responding to acceleration or deceleration, thankfully she made it back home safely, I then took it to my local mechanic who noticed major safety issues with the vehicle and on running the VIN number found out there are 2 safety recalls on it. Is there a law or regulation against the dealership that does that? It could have cost my child's life…
TL* 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 CONTROL ARM SLIGHTLY DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PALMETTO ALFA ROMEO-FIAT SERVICE DEPARTMENT (2065 NE 151ST ST, NORTH MIAMI BEACH, FL 33162, (305) 948-6794) WHERE THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE FRONT ROTOR, ROTOR SHIELD, WHEEL BEARING, FRONT CONTROL ARM AND…
2012 Fiat 500: questions owners ask
Is the 2012 Fiat 500 reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 396 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Fiat 500; the most common categories were power train (201, 50.8%), electrical system (63, 15.9%), engine (51, 12.9%). There are 4 safety recalls. 21 complaints mention a crash, 4 mention a fire, 17 injuries were reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Fiat 500?
Across 396 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are power train (50.8% of complaints), electrical system (15.9% of complaints), engine (12.9% of complaints), air bags (8.1% of complaints), suspension (5.3% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2012 Fiat 500 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2012 Fiat 500; the most recent (campaign 19V817000, 2019-11-15) concerns Power Train: Automatic Transmission: Lever And Linkage: Floor Shift. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why does my 2012 Fiat 500 stall, lose power or shut off while driving?
27 of the 396 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2012 Fiat 500 (6.8%) describe the engine stalling, losing power or shutting off while driving. One owner wrote: "While driving home via local city surface streets, the gearbox fail light and the have transmission checked message came up on the dash cluster. i drove the car 4 more miles to a service station, stopping twice on the way. the car began running poorly." (NHTSA complaint 11339746, July 2020). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why won't my 2012 Fiat 500 start?
14 of the 396 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2012 Fiat 500 (3.5%) describe the car failing to start. One owner wrote: "Car will not start and will not come out of park. lights are all on, and checked battery and all is fine. being told it is the gear shift module. time/date: 6:45 am 02/08/20 vehicle was stationary." (NHTSA complaint 11308690, February 2020). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Check your own 500
Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), DVSA anonymised MOT results (Open Government Licence v3.0), DVSA vehicle recalls (Open Government Licence v3.0), EU Safety Gate alerts (© European Union), retrieved October 25, 2026. Model year 2012 only; combines NHTSA's entries for 500 and 500 CABRIO.