repaired · 2021 Q2
Power train: automatic transmission
Risk. If the shifter cable detaches from the transmission, the transmission may not shift into the gear selected by the driver.
2012 FIAT 500Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 396 owner complaints about the 2012 FIAT 500, most often about the power train. It is covered by 3 safety recalls, and for recall 19V-817 the manufacturer reports only 40% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 21, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2012 FIAT 500 has problems
396 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
201Power train2 crash/fire/injury
63Electrical system6 crash/fire/injury
51Engine1 crash/fire/injury
32Air bags14 crash/fire/injury
21Suspension
19Fuel/propulsion system
19Steering
12Exterior lighting
12Vehicle speed control
7115 other systems6 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 201 | 2 |
| Electrical system | 63 | 6 |
| Engine | 51 | 1 |
| Air bags | 32 | 14 |
| Suspension | 21 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 19 | 0 |
| Steering | 19 | 3 |
| Exterior lighting | 12 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 12 | 2 |
| 15 other systems | 71 | 6 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
3 recalls
2012 FIAT 500 recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2018 Q1
Power train: manual transmission
Risk. 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.
no report yet
Service brakes, hydraulic: fluid
Risk. THIS COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with FIAT.
Mileage at failure
When do power train problems start?
48kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 135 power train complaints. 87% were reported before 100,000 miles.
41under 30k miles117under 100k miles18100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Power train
12 owners mentioned a cost$1,450median
Middle half: $1,008 – $1,807
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2012 vs. every other 500 year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the 500 median. How we score
'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2012 FIAT 500 safety ratings
2012 Fiat 500 3 HB FWD Later Release in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
★★★★★Overall rating
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side barrier★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
- Rollover: 4 stars (14.7% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2012 FIAT 500, and the recalls they led to.
- Electrical overstressLed to recall 20V-024
In owners' words
What 500 owners report
Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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…
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.
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…
Own a 2012 500?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.