2012 FIAT 500 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
3/5
Safety Rating
536
Owner Complaints
4
Recalls
66
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2012 FIAT 500
The 2012 FIAT 500 has received a total of 536 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It earned an overall safety rating of 3 out of 5 stars in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program crash tests. There have been 5 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:FLOOR SHIFT ASSEMBLY. 66 technical service bulletins have been issued by FIAT MOTORS OF N.A., INC. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Power Train (192 complaints), Electrical System (55 complaints), and Engine (51 complaints).
Recalls for the 2012 FIAT 500
NHTSA has recorded 5 recalls for the 2012 FIAT 500, potentially affecting up to 143,841 vehicles.
Recall 19V817000 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT
| 51,788 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
View full details →Recall 19V817000 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
| 51,788 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
View full details →Recall 19E044000 — POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:FLOOR SHIFT ASSEMBLY
| 740 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: If the shifter breaks while the vehicle is in motion, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
View full details →Recall 16V302000 — POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
| 39,185 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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...
View full details →Recall 11V550000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID
| 340 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: THIS COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: 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.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2012 FIAT 500
536 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2012 FIAT 500. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
I have been dealing with identity theft and not really sure why when I put vin number to my vehicle I purchased September 25 2025 it says a different color
I have been dealing with identity theft and not really sure why when I put vin number to my vehicle I purchased September 25 2025 it says a different color
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 questions about this. The safety issues related to this are dangerous and it appears to be known by mechanics about this model.
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 questions about this. The safety issues related to this are dangerous and it appears to be known by mechanics about this model.
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.
Safety Rating for the 2012 FIAT 500
The 2012 FIAT 500 received an overall safety rating of 3 out of 5 stars from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
| Test Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
| Frontal Crash | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Side Crash | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
| Rollover | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Safety ratings are based on controlled crash tests conducted by NHTSA. A 5-star rating indicates the highest level of occupant protection.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2012 FIAT 500
FIAT MOTORS OF N.A., INC. has issued 66 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2012 FIAT 500. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
18-053-16 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
SYMPTOM/CONDITION: Customers may experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination. Upon further investigation the technician may find that the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) have been set: P1128-00 - Closed Loop Fueling Not Achieved - Bank 1 Upstream. P1524-00 - Oil Pressure Out Of Range - Camshaft Advance/Retard...
18-053-16 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Flash: 1.4L Diagnostic And System Improvements This bulletin involves reprogramming the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) with the latest available software. Customers may experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination. Upon further investigation the technician may find that the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) have been set: · P1128-00 - Closed...
S20 — EQUIPMENT
Customer Satisfaction Notification S20 Reprogram Powertrain Control Module The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software on about 81,000 of the above vehicles may have backup lamp illumination timing that does not meet customer expectations. The PCM must be reprogrammed with new software.
S20 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
Customer Satisfaction Notification S20 Reprogram Powertrain Control Module The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software on about 81,000 of the above vehicles may have backup lamp illumination timing that does not meet customer expectations. The PCM must be reprogrammed with new software.
18-027-15 REV C — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
SUMMARY TO BE PROVIDED ON A FUTURE DATE.
18-027-15 Rev. C — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Flash: 1.4L Diagnostic And System Improvements This bulletin involves reprogramming the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) with the latest available software. Customers may experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination.
1802715 Rev C — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
Diagnostic And System Improvements.
1802715RevC — POWER TRAIN
Diagnostic And System Improvements.
18-027-15 REV-B — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Flash: 1.4L Diagnostic And System Improvements This bulletin involves selectively erasing and reprogramming the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) with new software. Customers may experience one of the following: ? Intermittent fast crank condition ? Cranks as if no compression ? Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination ? Intermittent crank - no...
18-027-15 REV-B — ENGINE
Flash: 1.4L Diagnostic And System Improvements This bulletin involves selectively erasing and reprogramming the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) with new software. Customers may experience one of the following: ? Intermittent fast crank condition ? Cranks as if no compression ? Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination ? Intermittent crank - no...
Showing 10 of 66 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2012 FIAT 500
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the FIAT 500
- 2011 FIAT 500 — 2 complaints
- 2012 FIAT 500 (current)
- 2013 FIAT 500 — 214 complaints
- 2014 FIAT 500 — 172 complaints
- 2015 FIAT 500 — 141 complaints
- 2016 FIAT 500 — 27 complaints
- 2017 FIAT 500 — 19 complaints