NHTSA Complaint #10864052 — 2012 FIAT 500

I GOT A FLAT TIRE ON A PRIMITIVE ROAD ON THE WAY BACK FROM A HIKE. I THOUGHT I WAS PREPARED FOR THIS, BECAUSE I HAD A SPARE TIRE AND ALL THE EQUIPMENT TO CHANGE IT. HOWEVER THE DEVICE THAT DEPLOYS THE SPARE WAS BROKEN. I HAD TO DRIVE THE LAST 1.5 MILES ON THE PRIMITIVE ROAD TO GET TO A PLACE WHERE A MECHANIC WOLD FIND MY CAR. FROM THE MAIN ROAD I STILL NEEDED A STRANGER TO DRIVE ME 7 MILES UPHILL TO GET CELL SERVICE. I WAS IN A VERY DANGEROUS TOWN AND IT WAS GETTING DARK OUT. BUT EVEN ONCE THE MECHANIC ARRIVED HE WAS UNABLE TO ACCESS THE SPARE. DUE TO THE SPARE NOT RELEASING AND HAVING TO DRIVE AN EXTRA MILE AFTER GETTING A FLAT TIRE I NOW HAVE A BENT RIM AS WELL. I HAD TO GET RIDES FROM THREE STRANGERS, AND SPEND THE NIGHT IN A SKETCHY HOTEL.