Page 3 of 8 · complaints 101–150 of 396

2012 Fiat 500 complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2012 record →

Engine
Filed Apr 19, 201988,000 milesSC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT SMELLED CARBON MONOXIDE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED, BUT WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE FAILURES OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. ALSO, THE ENGINE AND BATTERY WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CLUTCH WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURES RECURRED. AN UNKNOWN LOCAL DEALER DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE TRANSMISSION HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Unknown or OtherFire
Filed Apr 1, 2019100,000 milesWV

WHILE DRIVING CAR LOST POWER AND SMOKE BEGAN COMING OUT FROM UNDER HOOD. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. CAR WAS PULLED TO SIDE OF INTERSTATE. IMMEDIATELY GOT OUT AND LOOKED UNDER HOOD TO SEE FLAMES AND SMOKE. CALLED 911 REPORT THE FIRE, DISPATCH SAID FIRE AND POLICE WOULD ARRIVE SOON. CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD FOR A SECOND TIME, THERE WAS CONSIDERABLE MORE FIRE AND SMOKE. PROCEEDED TO GATHER PURSE AND BAG FROM THE BACKSEAT. APPROXIMATELY 4 MINUTES HAD ELAPSED. BY THIS TIME THE CAR IS COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. I MOVED APPROXIMATELY 300 FEET AWAY IN FEAR THE CAR MAY EXPLODE. ANOTHER 4-5 MINUTES PASSED WHEN POLICE ARRIVED AND AN ADDITIONAL 6-7 MORE MINUTES FOR THE FIREFIGHTERS TO RESPOND. AS FOR PERSONAL SAFETY, DRIVING HAD APPROXIMATELY 4 MINUTES TO ESCAPE VEHICLE FROM CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARING TO THE ENTIRE BE COMPLETELY ENCOMPASSED WITH FLAMES. DRIVER ESCAPED UNHARMED, BUT WAS INCREDIBLY SHAKEN BY THE SCARY EVENTS THAT UNFOLDED IN SUCH A RAPID PERIOD OF TIME. CAR WAS NOT ABLE TO BE SAVED.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Mar 30, 2019ME

WHILE FILLING GAS TANK, "CLICK" AS TANK FILLED DID NOT OCCUR, TANK OVERFLOWED. TANK THEN BECAME DIFFICULT TO REFILL, VERY SLOW CAUTION LIGHT OCCURRED SERVICE GARAGE SUSPECTS MALFUNCTION IN TANK SYSTEM DEALER WILL WARRANTY IF "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" APPEARS

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Mar 22, 201964,000 milesSC

WHEN PUTTING FUEL IN TANK, I COULD ONLY PUT ABOUT ONE GALLON AND IT STARTED BUBBLING OUT OF TANK. FUEL ROLLOVER VALVE IS PROBLEM AND HAS TO BE REPLACED BY REPLACING ENTIRE FUEL TANK. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED AND COVERED ON THE 2012 FIAT 500 POP

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Mar 20, 201986,000 milesVA

WHEN FILLING UP WITH GAS - PUMP CLICKS OFF EVERY FEW SECONDS. TAKES A LONG TIME TO FILL TANK AT A VERY LOW RATE OF FLOW. MAKES IT EASY TO OVERFLOW! MY MECHANIC SAYS SOMETHING IS FAULTY WITH THE GAS TANK.

Engine
Filed Mar 14, 201924,571 milesFL

CAR HAS OIL LEAK FROM ENGINE MAIN SEAL.ISSUE ADVICED TO DEALER UPON SALE,MECHANICS DENIED UNTIL 3RD PARTY ESTIMATE.THEN DEALER SAID TO HAVE FIXED IT UNTIL ONCE AGAIN THE ISSUE CAME UP--SERVICE DONE FOR MAINTENANCE KEPT. DEALERSHIP SOLD. NEW OWNERS OF DEALERS FOUND SAME PROBLEM. NEW WARRANTY DENIED CLAIMS AND SAID IT WAS A PREX CONDITION THAT WAS NOT TAKEN CARE. CAR CONTINUES TO LEAK OIL AND ISSUE IS NOW ON MY BILL AS RESPONSIBILITY. ISSUE IS A FIAT BRAND FOR THE YEAR 2012 AND SHOULD BE FIAT RESPONISBILILITY TO MONITOR AND RECALL CARS WITH THESE ISSUES TO FIX.FIAT TOO NEEDS TO MONITOR DEALERSHIPS THAT SELL USED CARS WITH PROBLEMS THEY DENY TO SERVICE PRIOR TO SELLING AND AWARE OF THE ISSUE BEFORE IT WAS SOLD ALONG WITH A RECALL THAT HAD NOT BEEN SERVICED PRIOR TO THE SALE AND OLD MANAGER/PRIOR TO SALE OF BUSINESS DID NOT TAKE CARE OF ALTHOUGH AWARE IT WAS IN PLACE..

Power Train
Filed Mar 4, 201960,000 milesSC

GEAR SHIFT IS STUCK IN PARK BUT CAR IS ACTUALLY IN NEUTRAL. IT WILL NOT MOVE. WAS PULLING IN PARKING SPOT AND REALIZED WHEN I PUT CAR IN PARK AND RELEASE FOOT OFF BRAKE MY CAR WAS ACTUALLY IN NEUTRAL. CANNOT CHANGE GEAR.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Mar 4, 201958,000 milesSC

WHEN TRYING TO PUMP GAS IN CAR, IT WOULD TAKE ABOUT 10 MINS TO PUMP ONE GALLON AND IT WOULD SHUT OFF CONSTANTLY. IN OTHER WORDS WHEN SQUEEZING THE PUMP, IT WOULD PUT A FEW DROPS AND CUT OFF AND IT WOULD CONTINUOUSLY DO THIS. THE PROBLEMS WAS THE ROLLER OVER SHUT OFF VALVE WAS STUCK AND THE SOLUTION WAS TO GET A WHOLE NEW TANK. IN ORDER TO KEEP EXPENSES DOWN AND BECAUSE THIS WAS NOT RECALLED, WE HAD OUR MECHANIC MOVE THE "BALL" AND THIS RESOLVED THE ISSUE UNTIL IT GETS STUCK AGAIN. THE COST WAS APPROXIMATELY $150

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Feb 24, 201993,000 milesWV

GAS PUMP CONSTANTLY KICKS OFF WHILE PUMPING GAS. BASICALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO FILL CAR UP WITH GAS. HAVE TO CONSTANTLY SQUEEZE LITTLE BURSTS OF GAS IN A TIME BETWEEN GAS PUMPING KICKING OFF. CHECKING ONLINE FOR OPTIONS TO RESOLVE ISSUES RESULTS IN SEEING THE ISSUE OCCUR IN MANY DIFFERENT FIATS FROM THIS YEAR.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Feb 6, 201972,359 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT WOULD TAKE 20 MINUTES TO FILL THE FUEL TANK AND FUEL SPILLED OUT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. FIAT OF MELBOURNE (300 E NASA BLVD, MELBOURNE, FL 32901, (321) 727-7711) INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FUEL TANK, FUEL TANK PUMP, AND CANISTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,359. *DT

Engine
Filed Feb 4, 201955,000 milesNE

AN ISSUE INVOLVING THE STARTER MOTOR BOLTS NOT BEING GROUNDED. CAUSED INTERMITTENT STARTING. THIS ISSUE IS A KNOWN ISSUE FOR FIAT UNDER THE FOLLOWING: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION NOTIFICATION N15 STARTER MOTOR MOUNTING BOLTS 2012 (FF) FIAT 500 NOTE: THIS NOTIFICATION APPLIES ONLY TO THE ABOVE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A MANUAL TRANSAXLE (SALES CODE DDF) BUILT FROM MARCH 15, 2011 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2011 (MDH 031500 THROUGH 063023). '' HOWEVER, IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER MY CAR...BUT IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM...I SEE OTHER FIAT OWNERS REPORTING THIS ISSUE...BUT THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL...THIS CAUSED ME TO MISS APPROX 2 DAYS OF WORK...PAY FOR A TOW TRUCK...AND SEND TO A DEALER TO FIX AT A COST OF 280 DOLLARS FOR A KNOWN ISSUE BY FIAT....

Power Train
Filed Jan 24, 201995,356 milesNV

I DRIVE A MANUAL FIAT, AND I SMELLED A BURNING SMELL AND MY CLUTCH WASN'T ENGAGING PROPERLY, I WAS LOSING TORQUE,AND THERES A LOUD SQUEAKING WHEN I PRESS ON THE CLUTCH.

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Jan 13, 2019100,000 milesFL

ON NOVEMBER 20, 2018, I HAD AN ACCIDENT WITH MY FIAT 500 SPORT (IMAGES AND VIDEO ATTACHED). I HAVE CONTACTED FIAT IN BRAZIL, USA, EUROPE AND THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, SO THAT THEY COULD FIND OUT WHAT HAS HAPPENED, SINCE THE AIR BAG WILL NOT WORK IN MY VEHICLE. I HAVE COMPLETE VIDEO. I HAVE NOT HAD ANY ANSWER, FIAT BRASIL SAYS THAT IT IS NOT THEIRS, EUROPE AND THE USA WILL NOT ANSWER ANYTHING, THAT IS, AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE THEY ARE OPTIMAL, BUT THE ATTENTION TO THE CLIENT AND THE POST SALE, DISAPPOINTING TO SAY NOTHING WORST. *DSY

Air Bags
Filed Jan 9, 2019GA

CONCERNS THAT VEHICLE S34 RECALL HAS NEVER BEEN COMPLETE VEHICLE IS NOW FOR SALE AT A CAR DEALERSHIP NO PAPER TRAIL ON THE RECALL.

Power Train
Filed Jan 4, 201970,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. WHILE DRIVING, THE CLUTCH FAILED TO ENGAGE WHILE RELEASING THE PEDAL. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. *DT *JB

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Nov 27, 201873,000 milesCA

THE VEHICLE'S FUEL TANK IS NO LONGER ABLE TO ACCEPT FUEL PROPERLY FROM ANY GAS STATION DUE TO A DEFECT IN THE FUEL TANK'S ROLLOVER PROTECTION VALVE. AFTER A WEEKS WORTH OF TESTING THE DEALERSHIP ADVISED ME THAT THE CORRECT COURSE OF ACTION IS TO REPLACE THE WHOLE FUEL TANK AS THE PART IS INTEGRAL TO THE TANK. FIAT ADMITS THAT THERE IS A FAULT WITH THE TANK AND THEREFORE IT SHOULD BE A RECALL DUE TO FAULTY DESIGN RATHER THAN A CONSUMER BURDEN TO REPAIR AND REPLACE. I HAVE READ THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE AMONGST THE 2012-2013 YEAR MODELS WITH MULTIPLE INCIDENTS OF OWNERS HAVING TO REPLACE THE FUEL TANK FOR THE PROBLEM TO ONLY RE-OCCUR AGAIN IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY WHEN THIS HAPPENS WITH THE MOTOR SHUT OFF AND FUEL CAP OPEN TO ACCEPT FUEL. ESTIMATED COST OF REPAIR IS $2,000 WHICH IS ABOUT 1/3 OF VEHICLES COST DUE TO DEPRECIATION.

Steering
Filed Nov 27, 201860,000 milesCA

VEHICLE HAS A DEFECTIVE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. THIS PART WAS ALREADY REPLACED ONCE UNDER WARRANTY WITH FIAT ADMITTING THAT THE PART IS DEFECTIVE/SUBSTANDARD FOR PURPOSE IT FILLS IN THE CARS STEERING FUNCTIONALITY. AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME (APPX 3 YEARS OR 36K MILES) IT STARTS MAKING A CLUNK WHEN TURNING AT SLOW SPEEDS. IF LEFT UNREPAIRED IT WILL RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL WHEN VEHICLE IS IN OPERATION. APPROXIMATE COST OF REPAIR IS $500 FOR PARTS AND LABOR. WHEN CONTACTING FIAT ABOUT THIS CONCERN AND THAT IT WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY ONCE FOR BEING FAULTY I WAS TOLD THAT MY WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED AND IT WAS MY BURDEN TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PART. NEW PART ONLY CARRIES A 1 YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY. THIS PROBLEM MAINLY OCCURS AT SLOW SPEEDS WHEN MAKING FULL TURNS HOWEVER IT COULD FAIL AT HIGH SPEED LEAVING DRIVER WITH NO VEHICLE CONTROL.

Power Train
Filed Nov 9, 2018PA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V302000 (POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. TONY DOMIANO AUTO (LOCATED AT 900 SCRANTON CARBONDALE HWY, EYNON, PA 18403, (570) 876-3919) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Seats
Filed Nov 8, 201830,000 milesMI

FRONT SEAT MECHANISM WILL NOT OPERATE, OCCUPANTS CAN NOT GET OUT OF CAR ON DRIVER'S SIDE BECAUSE THE SEAT MECHANISM DOES NOT WORK AND THE BACK OF THE SEAT DOES NOT FLIP FORWARD

Engine
Filed Sep 8, 201860,000 milesTN

I CAR WARNING LIGHTS STARTED COMING ON AND STAYING ON ALL THE TIME. I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND WAS ADVISED I NEEDED A NEW MOTOR. THE CAR IS CONSTANTLY STALLING, CUTTING OFF ALL THE TIME, BEARLY RESTARTING AND ONLY ABLE TO DRIVE LESS THAN 25 MPH. THIS IS THE PROBLEM EVERY TIME I START IT UP.

Electrical System › Wiring › Rear Compartment/Trunk
Filed Aug 21, 201838,000 milesOK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE TRUNK, BUT IT WAS UNABLE TO UNLATCH AUTOMATICALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRUNK COULD BE ACCESSED BY PULLING THE BACK SEAT DOWN; HOWEVER, WITH THE BACK SEAT LOWERED, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO LOAD OR UNLOAD A SUITCASE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FIAT OF EDMOND (14113 BROADWAY EXTENSION HIGHWAY, EDMOND, OKLAHOMA 73013, (405)-696-0631) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS FAILED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRUNK WIRES COULD NOT BE REPLACED INDIVIDUALLY; THEREFORE, THE WIRING HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE WIRING HARNESS WAS NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH CASE NUMBER: 34994853. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.

Electrical System
Filed Aug 16, 201840,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WHEN ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO RON LEWIS CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM FIAT CRANBERRY (21145 US-19, CRANBERRY TWP, PA 16066, (724) 452-4040) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STARTER MOUNTING BOLT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

Electrical System
Filed Aug 15, 201848,000 milesPA

TRUNK / HATCH PINCHED WIRE HARNESS CAUSING SHORT. COULD NOT OPEN TRUNK, LICENSE PLATE LIGHT WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. FIAT DOES NOT MAKE A PIG TAIL REPLACEMENT, SHOP HAD TO RE-WIRE TRUNK COUSTING 180.00 FOR NEW DECK HANDEL, AND 600.00 FOR SPLICING IN NEW HARNESS

Power Train
Filed Aug 11, 201871,437 milesCO

THE FIAT HAD THE RECOMMENDED RECALL FIX FOR MAUAL TRANSMISSION PERFORMED IN 2017. WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET, THE CLUTCH WOULD NOT DISENGAGE PROPERLY. GEARS COULD ONLY BE CHANGED WITH THE CAR COMPLETELY STOPPED AND THE ENGINE OFF. REPAIR IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM "PRESSURE PLATE FINGERS HAVE FAILED BECAUSE OF S34 RECALL. THIS RUINED THE CLUTCH PLATE CAUSING SHIFITNG ISSUES."

Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Filed Aug 1, 201898,000 milesTN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR HATCH AND SUN ROOF FAILED TO OPEN. THE DEALER (HARPER FIAT, 10045 PARKSIDE DR, KNOXVILLE, TN 37922, (865) 243-3220) STATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURES, BUT NO REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY DID NOT HANDLE THOSE TYPES OF COMPLAINTS AND SUGGESTED THE CONTACT CALL NHTSA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

Electrical System › Wiring › Rear Compartment/Trunk
Filed Jul 27, 201861,927 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO UNLOCK THE TRUNK, IT FAILED TO OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FIAT OF BURLINGAME (2 CALIFORNIA DR, BURLINGAME, CA 94010, (866) 413-7332) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRUNK WIRING HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,927.

Electrical System
Filed Jul 25, 201870,000 milesNY

THE HATCH SWITCH HAS HAD TO BE REPAIRED 3 TIMES. ITS A DESIGN FLAW THAT SHORTS OUT THE SWITCH. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL!

Electrical System
Filed Jul 19, 201827,000 milesMA

THE CAR WAS DRIVEN TO SHOPPING CENTER, PARKED OK BUT WHEN LEAVING THE VEHICLE STARTED, THEN ENGINE CUT OUT. NOW THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START. ENGINE CRANKS BUT ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS GOES ON. TOWED TO JEEP/CHRYSLER DEALER (DON ALLEN IN NANTUCKET) AND THEY SAID IT WAS ELECTRICAL ISSUE. TOWED TO ANOTHER REPAIR SHOP AND THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T FIX IT (ELECTRICAL ISSUE). CALLED FIAT AND THEY SAID NOT THEIR PROBLEM. CAR HAS 27,000 MILES.

Power Train
Filed Jul 16, 201880,000 milesTN

CAR STARTED SOUNDING BAD AND ONE NIGHT THE CLUTCH GOT STUCK SO I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC WHO INFORMED ME THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL ON THE CLUTCH. DEALERSHIP IS AN HOUR AWAY AND WOULDN'T COVER TOWING "UNLESS THEY WERE SURE IT WAS A RECALL ISSUE" SO EITHER I COULD PAY FOR TOWING (I DON'T HAVE MONEY FOR THAT) OR DRIVE IT IN. NO MENTION THAT DRIVING IT COULD CAUSE ADDITIONAL DAMAGE NOT COVERED. SO I DROVE IT IN WITH THE BAD CLUTCH. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEN AND THEY AGREED TO COVER THE REPLACEMENT OF THE CLUTCH. WHEN THEY STARTED REPAIRS, THEY NOTICED DAMAGE TO THE FORK SHAFT AND TRANSMISSION, WHICH WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. $2400. I GOOGLED THE RECALL TO FIND OUT DETAILS AND THE RECALL EXISTS BECAUSE THEY KNOW THE CLUTCH PROBLEM CAUSES DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION. SO I REALLY DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THEY WON'T COVER IT ONCE THE DAMAGE HAS BEEN DONE.

Electrical System › Starter Assembly
Filed Jun 4, 201890,000 milesVA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT FAILED TO START AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STARTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED SAFFORD ALFA ROMEO OF TYSONS CORNER (8448 LEESBURG PIKE UNIT A, VIENNA, VA 22182, (571) 565-2500). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000.

Power Train
Filed May 30, 201852,020 milesCO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE CLUTCH PEDAL JAMMED AND WOULD NOT RETRACT INTO THE ORIGINAL POSITION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO RED'S AUTO & TRUCK (1451 VISTA VIEW DR., LONGMONT, CO) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ATTRIBUTED TO THE VIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 52,020.

Exterior Lighting
Filed May 3, 201817,000 milesTX

THIRD HIGH CENTER BRAKE LIKE WIRES KEEP BREAKING. THEY RUN ALONG ROOF TO TRUNK LID AND THE OPENING OF THE TRUNK LID CAUSES THIS.

Electrical System
Filed Apr 8, 201865,000 milesAZ

THE WIRE HARNESS FROM THE BODY TO THE HATCHBACK BECOMES CRIMPED AND CAUSES BROKEN WIRES CAUSING THE 3RD BRAKE LIGHT, REAR WIPER, LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS, AND REAR DOOR LATCH NOT TO WORK THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH ALL FIAT 500'S AND A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN THE 3RD BRAKE LIGHT DOES NOT WORK AS IF A FUSE BLOWS ON THE REGULAR BRAKE LIGHTS THE 3RD LIGHT SHOULD STILL WORK. ALSO ALL STATES REQUIRE LIGHTS ILLUMINATION THE LICENSE PLATE AT NIGHT. ALSO THE REAR WIPER IS ESSENTIAL ON THIS VEHICLE IN A RAIN SITUATION TO SEE BEHIND THE VEHICLE

Steering
Filed Apr 4, 2018103,681 milesVA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE TURNING IT IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SAFFORD CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM SRT OF FREDERICKSBURG (5202 JEFFERSON DAVIS HWY, FREDERICKSBURG, VA 22408, (540) 898-7200) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,681.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Mar 27, 201849,500 milesMO

WHEN ADDING FUEL TO THE CAR, THE PUMP CONSTANTLY SHUTS OFF AS IF THE TANK IS FULL. THIS IS NOT A NOZZLE PROBLEM AS I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO OVER 15 DIFFERENT STATIONS. . IT TAKES 10 - 15 MINUTES TO RE-FUEL A 10 GALLON TANK. THE PURGE VALVE WAS REPLACED. THE MECHANIC SAYS THE CAR NEEDS A NEW TANK AT $1,000 USD. THE TANK IS NOT AVAILABLE, IT IS ON BACK ORDER, WITH NO DELIVERY DATE AVAILABLE.

Power Train › Clutch Assembly › Pedal/Hand Lever(motorcycle)
Filed Mar 22, 2018IL

2012 FIAT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO MANUAL TRANSAXLE CLUTCH PEDAL FAILURE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING THE CLUTCH FAILED, ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONSUMER WAS REIMBURSED FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS, BUT STATED THERE WERE REPAIR COSTS THAT STILL NEEDED TO BE REIMBURSED. *JS

Structure › Body
Filed Mar 1, 201835,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT LEVER FAILED TO MOVE THE SEAT BACK DOWN. IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY, THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE OCCUPANT WOULD BE UNABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FIAT CHRYSLER (181 HALL ROAD, MCCALL, MI 48044, 586-286-0200) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT LEVER CABLE FAILED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.

Unknown or Other
Filed Feb 19, 2018CA

I NEED TO REPLACE THE SAME LITE ONCE AT MONTH ONE OF THE LITE BURN ONENCE A MONTH

Power Train › Clutch Assembly
Filed Feb 13, 2018CA

2012 FIAT 500C. CONSUMER WRITES SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR VEHICLE REPAIRS RELATED TO A SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT REIMBURSE THE FULL AMOUNT OF THE SAFETY RECALL REPAIR. *JS

Air Bags
Filed Feb 10, 2018NY

WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO REPAIR IT. IN THE WINTER WHEN PUSHING THE BAKE DOWN, I GET A FUNNY NOISE AND I HAVE TO PUMP THE BRAKES IN ORDER TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP. I REFUSE TO ALLOW MY CHILDREN TO DRIVE DUE TO THIS. ALSO WHEN EVER TAKING THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT, ASSESSORIES ON THE CAR WOULD BE TAKEN OFF. I WAS TOLD TO TAKE THE CAR TO FIAT DEALERSHIP ON RIDGE ROAD AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY A FEE FOR THEM TO LOOK AT IT. THEN I WAS TOLD BY CARMAX THAT THEY WOULD PAY FOR IT. FIAT WANTED THEIR FEE UPFRONT AND CARMAX REFUSED TO PAY FOR IT. I TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM LOOKED AT, I FINALLY GAVE UP. THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST . THE CAR IS A NICE CAR, BUT I CANNOT GET SATISFACTION IN GETTING IT REPAIRED. THE CAR WAS LOADED WHEN I PURCHASED IT AND HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT BEFORE BUYING IT OF WHICH I WAS NOT TOLD THIS.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Feb 6, 201880,000 milesID

REFUELING IS DIFFICULT, GAS PUMP SHUTS OFF EVERY FEW SECONDS. I'VE TRIED MANY DIFFERENT PUMPS AT MANY DIFFERENT GAS STATIONS. I READ ONLINE THAT FIAT RECOGNIZES A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL ROLLOVER VALVE, BUT THE ENTIRE GAS TANK MUST BE REPLACED TO REPLACE THE VALVE. THIS IS A DESIGN PROBLEM THAT CAUSES A SAFETY ISSUE.

Electrical System
Filed Feb 1, 2018NJ

TRUNK WILL NOT OPEN

Power Train
Filed Jan 4, 2018CA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY PREMATURELY FAILED TWICE AND WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THIS WAS A NORMAL ROUTINE REPAIR AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO REPLACE THE PART. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Power Train
Filed Dec 14, 201780,000 milesIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE, IT FAILED TO RESTART. THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS PLACED IN PARK, BUT THE INDICATOR ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STILL IN DRIVE. THE CONTACT READ THE OWNER'S MANUAL, WHICH INSTRUCTED TO RELEASE THE GEAR SHIFTER TO TAKE IT OUT OF PARK. THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS PLACED IN PARK, BUT THE INDICATOR DISPLAYED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE. AFTER THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT IT MOVED A LITTLE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL NHTSA. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Dec 4, 201736,954 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER/TURN SIGNAL LEVER FRACTURED AND FELL OFF. THE CONTACT USED THE HAZARD LIGHTS AND DROVE HOME. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,954.

Electrical System
Filed Nov 20, 201749,000 milesTX

MY GEAR SHIFTER WIRE BROKEN TO THE POINT IT WOULD GETS STUCK IN DRIVE OR PARK OR REVERSE EVEN THOUGH I HAD SHIFTED TO A DIFFERENT POSITION. WHEN I WOULD TURN OFF MY CAR EVEN THOUGHT I PUT IT IN PARK IT STILL BELIEVED THAT IT WAS IN REVERSE AND WOULD ROLL.

Engine
Filed Nov 3, 201714,693 milesCA

2012 FIAT POP, 14,693 MILES. I AM THE SECOND OWNER. DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND A MESSAGE ADVISING THAT I SHOULD PULL OVER BECAUSE THERE WAS LOW OIL, THE OIL LIGHT WARNING CAME ON. DROVE CAR TO DEALER AT 1820 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD, SANTA MONICA FIAT. THEY DIAGNOSED CODE P1068 WHICH THEY ADVISED IS A "CYLINDER 2 OIL SUPPLY SELONOID OUT OF RANGE." AL AT THE DEALER ADVISED THAT IT WOULD TAKE 5 - 6 HOURS TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM, AND HE DIDN'T WANT TO SPEND THE TIME TO DO IT. HE FURTHER ADVISED THAT HE HEARD A NOISE (WHICH I COULD NOT HEAR) AND THAT THE CODE AND NOISE COMBINED INDICATES THAT THE CAR NEEDS A NEW CRANK SHAFT AND THAT METAL SHAVINGS FROM BEARING FAILURE COULD CAUSE OIL PUMP STRESS AND DAMAGE TO OIL PUMP, WHICH WOULD COST $4,016.90 PLUS TAX. I DECLINED THE REPAIRS BECAUSE AL'S ADVICE WAS BASED ON HIM HEARING A NOISE, AND NOT BASED ON DIAGNOSIS BY A HANDS-ON MECHANIC. THE ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ON. AL, AT THE FIAT DEALER, WILL NOT TAKE FURTHER STEPS TO RULE OUT OTHER (LESS EXPENSIVE) REASONS THE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON (E.G., FAILED GAS CAP, ETC.). "HEARING A NOISE" IS NOT GROUNDS TO MAKE A $4,000+ REPAIR ON A CAR WITH MERELY 14,000+ MILES. THE ENGINE LIGHT COMBINED WITH FIAT'S LACK OF CARE TO FIX THE PROBLEM COULD BE A ROAD HAZARD. WHEN I COMPLAINED TO AL THAT HE HAD NOT ACTUALLY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM, BUT RATHER "GUESSED" THAT THE CAR NEEDED A NEW CRANK SHAFT, HE DECIDED NOT TO CHARGE ME. HE SAID, "YOU'RE RIGHT, WE DIDN'T DO THE WORK TO MAKE SU

Engine
Filed Oct 25, 201726,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS OR WHILE PARKED, THE CHECK TRANSMISSION, CHECK ENGINE, AND ESC WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FIRST TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE VEHICLE FELT SLUGGISH WHILE DRIVING AND AN UNKNOWN ODOR WAS DETECTED IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND NO FAILURE CODES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RON LEWIS CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM FIAT CRANBERRY (21145 US-19, CRANBERRY TWP, PA 16066 (724) 452-4040), BUT THE FAILURE STILL COULD NOT BE DETERMINED OR DUPLICATED. THE THIRD TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSIS STILL COULD NOT BE MADE; HOWEVER, FOUR SPARK PLUGS AND THE NUMBER ONE COIL WERE CHANGED BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE STILL OCCURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 26,000.

Power Train
Filed Oct 24, 201790,000 milesAZ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. WHILE DRIVING 38 MPH, THE SHIFTER BECAME STUCK AND THE CLUTCH PEDAL FRACTURED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CLUTCH PEDAL BECAME STUCK IN THIRD GEAR AND THAT A BURNING ODOR ENTERED THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LARRY H MILLER ALFA ROMEO AND FIAT TUCSON OF TUCSON, ARIZONA (1000 W WETMORE ROAD) WHERE THE CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

Engine
Filed Sep 26, 201731,433 milesWI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500 BEING HAULED BY A 2006 DODGE SPRINTER 2500. WHILE THE FIAT WAS BEING TOWED, THE GEAR INDEPENDENTLY SHIFTED FROM NEUTRAL INTO DRIVE. THE FAILURE CAUSED SUBSTANTIAL ENGINE DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN, BUT THE CONTACT WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V302000 (POWER TRAIN). THE DEALER (SCHMELZ COUNTRYSIDE FIAT, 1178 MN-36, MAPLEWOOD, MN 55109, (651) 484-8441) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND WAS INSPECTING THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE, AFFECTING THE ENGINE ASSOCIATED WITH THE POWER TRAIN FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER TO BE SERVICED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,433. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. *BF CONSUMER STATED THE FAULTY DID NOT ALLOW THE TRANSMISSION TO DISENGAGE. UPDATED 7/20/18*JB *TR

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NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2012 Fiat 500 → · Every 500 year → · How the figures are calculated →