NHTSA vehicle safety data

2012 Fiat 500 Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2012 Fiat 500 has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 396 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Fiat dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2012 Fiat 500, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2012 Fiat 500 owner complaints

Owners have filed 396 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Fiat 500, describing incidents dated June 1, 2011 to September 8, 2026.

Most-cited components

Power Train 201 complaints
Electrical System 63 complaints
Engine 53 complaints
Unknown or Other 36 complaints
Air Bags 32 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 23 complaints

Of the 396 complaints on file, 21 report a crash and 4 a fire; across all 396 complaints, owners report 17 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11765817 · Filed September 21, 2026
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…
ODI #11763425 · Filed September 10, 2026
I am filing a complaint concerning a recurring gear shift failure in my 2012 fiat 500c. The same failure has occurred three times between June 10 and September 8, 2026. On June 10, 2026 I was able to move shift lever but the transmission remained in reverse and would not shift into another gear…
ODI #11737416 · Filed May 12, 2026
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.

Read all 396 complaints

Owner-reported

2012 Fiat 500 mileage at failure

285 of the 396 complaints on file for the 2012 Fiat 500 give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Component	Median	Middle half	Based on
Power Train	Median 50,000 miles	Middle half 30,000–80,000 miles	Based on 132 complaints
Electrical System	Median 40,000 miles	Middle half 5,000–65,000 miles	Based on 52 complaints
Engine	Median 30,000 miles	Middle half 10,000–65,000 miles	Based on 42 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Most complaints NHTSA received since May 17, 2021 give no mileage. So that they aren't undercounted, each one received since then that gives a mileage also stands in for those that gave none, which can put a component's median above most of the mileages it is based on.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2012 Fiat 500 in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Engineering Analysis EA19-001: Electrical overstress
Closed September 19, 2024
- Recall 20V-024

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Shifter Cable Bushing May Detach From Transmission

NHTSA #19V817000 · Power Train — Automatic Transmission — Lever and Linkage — Floor Shift · NHTSA notice

Reported November 15, 2019 · Chrysler (FCA US LLC)

Potentially affected: 51,788 vehicles

Repair completion: 44.63% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign VB4 · Owners notified January 9, 2020 · Vehicles built December 2, 2010 – January 30, 2013 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Shifter Shaft May Break

NHTSA #19E044000 · Power Train — Manual Transmission — Floor Shift Assembly · NHTSA notice

Reported July 3, 2019 · DLT, LLC

Potentially affected: 740 vehicles

Repair completion: 1.49% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified July 24, 2019

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

If the shifter breaks while the vehicle is in motion, it can increase the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Clutch Diaphragm Spring May Fracture

NHTSA #16V302000 · Power Train — Manual Transmission · NHTSA notice

Reported May 16, 2016 · Chrysler (FCA US LLC)

Potentially affected: 39,185 vehicles

Repair completion: 66.49% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign S34 · Owners notified November 10, 2016 · Vehicles built June 21, 2010 – January 12, 2016 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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 S34.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

BRAKE FLUID

NHTSA #11V550000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Fluid · NHTSA notice

Reported November 10, 2011 · CHRYSLER GROUP LLC

Potentially affected: 340 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign L39 · Owners notified March 1, 2012 · Vehicles built October 24, 2011 – October 26, 2011 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

THIS COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

2012 Fiat 500 3 HB FWD Early Release

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Frontal Crash

Driver: 4, Passenger: 3

Side Crash

Driver: 5, Passenger: 2

Side Pole

Rollover

15% rollover risk

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control

1 investigation

2012 Fiat 500 3 HB FWD Later Release

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Frontal Crash

Driver: 4, Passenger: 3

Side Crash

Driver: 5, Passenger: 2

Side Pole

Rollover

15% rollover risk

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control

1 investigation

396 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Fiat 500.

Power Train

ODI #11765817

Incident: June 12, 2026 · Filed: September 21, 2026

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.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11763425

Incident: September 8, 2026 · Filed: September 10, 2026

I am filing a complaint concerning a recurring gear shift failure in my 2012 fiat 500c. The same failure has occurred three times between June 10 and September 8, 2026. On June 10, 2026 I was able to move shift lever but the transmission remained in reverse and would not shift into another gear despite multiple attempts. I did not know what the cause or problem was and had no knowledge that it might be related to a safety recall. I had vehicle towed to an independent repair shop who subsequently diagnosed a faulty gear shifter and replaced it and this restored the vehicles operation. The shop was able to replace the faulty part and the car was returned to me on June 12, 2026. On August 21, 2026the same failure occurred again. I was able to move the shifter but the transmission remained in neutral regardless of the selected shifter position and I had to push the vehicle onto the side of the road. Again the vehicle was undriveable and was towed to an authorized dealership who diagnosed a faulty gear shifter. The dealership performed the repair under safety recall VB4/NHTSA recall 19V-817 concerning the gear shifter cable adjust/bushing. The dealership then returned the vehicle to me as repaired on September 4, 2026. The vehicle sat parked for the following 3 days and was operated on September 8, 2026. On September 8, 2026 the exact same failure occurred a third time and after the authorized dealership completed the recall repaired. The gearshift lever moved, but the transmission would not change gears and the indicator remained in drive. The vehicle was again undriveable and had to be towed back to the dealership. Stellantis/FCAopened several case numbers and a case manager informed me the dealership would not be able to inspect the vehicle for 8 days. I was also informed that Stellantis/FCAand the dealership would not provide rental or alternate transportation assistance while the disabled vehicle awaited inspection.

Power Train

ODI #11737416

Incident: May 11, 2026 · Filed: May 12, 2026

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.

Wheels; Unknown or Other

ODI #11692186

Incident: October 8, 2025 · Filed: October 8, 2025

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

Electrical System; Unknown or Other

ODI #11668228

Incident: December 24, 2023 · Filed: June 20, 2025

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.

Suspension

ODI #11641144

Incident: February 6, 2025 · Filed: February 6, 2025

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.

Electrical System

ODI #11621183

Incident: June 1, 2024 · Filed: October 22, 2024

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.

Power Train

ODI #11611834

Incident: August 16, 2024 · Filed: August 30, 2024

The contact owns a 2012 Fiat 500. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to exit the highway. The contact stated that while attempting to restart the vehicle, the clutch pedal went to the floorboard and the contact was unable to start the vehicle. The contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the clutch pedal limiter and a clutch pedal switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V302000 (Power Train) which had been completed in 2023 on the vehicle by the same dealer. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 214,000.

Power Train

ODI #11607886

Incident: August 9, 2024 · Filed: August 12, 2024

Front Wheel hub bearings grinding, very fast wear and tear Transmission still not shifting right after recall shifter cable replaced not grabbing gears

Power Train

ODI #11606101

Incident: April 1, 2024 · Filed: August 2, 2024

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 unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated while attempting to reverse, the transmission failed to respond as needed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, and it was confirmed that the recall repair was not yet available and there was no expected date when parts would be available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 170,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Other Fiat 500 model years

Check your 2012 Fiat 500 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Fiat 500 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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