NHTSA Complaint #11327775 — 2012 FIAT 500

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 BOLTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE PREVIOUSLY EXPERIENCED A SIMILAR FAILURE ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AND WAS REPAIRED BY MASSEY YARDLEY JEEP CHRYSLER DODGE RAM (777 N. STATE RD 7, PLANTATION, FL 33317, (954) 327-4000). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN WHEN THE CONTROL ARM DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS FLUID LEAKING FROM THE BALL JOINT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,161.