NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Fiat 500. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
CONCERNS THAT VEHICLE S34 RECALL HAS NEVER BEEN COMPLETE VEHICLE IS NOW FOR SALE AT A CAR DEALERSHIP NO PAPER TRAIL ON THE RECALL.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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
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.
I TOOK MY CAR FOR INSPECTION. DEALER INFORMED ME THAT LICENSE PLATE LIGHT FAILED. BULB COULD NOT BE REPLACED. I HAD TO REPLACE WHOLE TAILGATE ASSEMBLY FOR $500 JUST FOR THE NEW BULB. NEW ASSEMBLY THEY PUT IN NOW HAS A REPLACEABLE BULB.
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.
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."
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.
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.
THE HATCH SWITCH HAS HAD TO BE REPAIRED 3 TIMES. ITS A DESIGN FLAW THAT SHORTS OUT THE SWITCH. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL!
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.
Every time I pump fuel in the vehicle, the pump stops prematurely. It’ll pump for a few seconds and then seize. I would have to continuously press the handle every time the pump stops and clicks every few seconds. After I’m done fueling, it smells like gasoline inside my vehicle. I took my Fiat 500 to the dealership in January of 2019 to have Sunland Park technicians check the issue. Technicians diagnosed the vehicle and claimed it was a faulty fuel tank. Fuel tank was replaced and issue had gone away for approximately a year then proceeded to do the same issue again. Went back to the dealership when I began having the same issue and technicians say there is nothing wrong with my vehicle and they said that the repairs of my whole fuel tank were no longer under warranty. My fiat 500 is still having the same fuel issue of clicking nonstop and odor of the fuel is still strong. There are many fiat 500 owners going through this same issue continually paying fiat dealerships just to have the same issue of inhaling fuel and not being able to pump fuel in properly. This is a major hazard and needs to be resolved.
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
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.
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.
CAR SOMETIMES CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING WITH NO WARNING. ALL GUAGES SPIKE, CAR CUTS OFF. I PULL OVER AND IT STARTS BACK UP. NO CODES WERE STORED. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM.
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.
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.
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
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.
TRUNK WILL NOT OPEN
WAS TOLD RECENTLY NEED TO REPLACE D/S AXEL BUT WHEN FIRESTONE WENT TO CALL FIAT FOR PART THEY WERE TOLD' THIS VEHICLE HAS CUSTOMER SERVICE SATISFACTION RECALL IN WHICH WITH THE AXEL THE CONTROL ARM AND OTHER COMPONENTS MUST BE REPLACED AND TO REFER TO DEALERSHIPS OR RECALL. WHEN WENT TO FIAT DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THERE NO RECALL AND PROCEED TO SAY MUST BUY RF AXLE, LOWER CONTROL ARM, KNUCKLE, BEARING IN ORDER TO REPLACE ORIGINAL AXLE. PARTS ALONE TOTALING 1131.75. ITS WAS ONLY 5 YEAR OLD CAR AT TIME. AND PREVIOUS FIAT OWNERS SAY THEY RECEIVED THE CUSTOMER SERVICE RECALL BEFORE ALFA ROMERO SAID NO.
I NEED TO REPLACE THE SAME LITE ONCE AT MONTH ONE OF THE LITE BURN ONENCE A MONTH
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 SURE YOU NEED IT." HE ADMITTED IT WAS A GUESS, AND NOTED THAT HE "WOULD NOT KNOW FOR SURE TILL THE VEHICLE HAS GONE THROUGH A TEAR DOWN." I AM NERVOUS WITH THE ENGINE LIGHT ON, AND NO TRUE DIAGNOSIS FROM FIAT (IT COULD BE ANYTHING FROM A GAS CAP PROBLEM TO A FAILED ENGINE).
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.
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500 ABARTH. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS PLACED IN REVERSE AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE IN REVERSE. ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED TO OPERATE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHIFTER CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED ALFA ROMEO FIAT OF WICHITA (7525 E KELLOGG DR, WICHITA, KS 67207 (316) 618-2191) WHERE THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS NO CURRENT WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,870.
I CALLED FIAT 800-992-1997 I ASKED ABOUT THE RECALL ON MY VEHICLE FOR THE 100TH TIME THEY TOLD ME THAT I WOULD NEED TO TAKE MY VIN # [XXX] IN FOR A DIAGNOSTIC BEFORE I COULD GET THE RECALL FIXED FOR MY CLUTCH I TOLD FIAT I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY FOR A DIAGNOSTIC AND I WOULD HAVE TO SAVE UP SO IT WILL TAKE ANOTHER YEAR FOR ME TO HAVE THE RECALL COMPLETE SO I WILL JUST KEEP MY CAR HERE AT HOME AN CHOOSE NOT TO DRIVE IT I WILL RENT CARS INSTEAD ALSO THE CAR CAN NOT BE BOUGHT TRANSFERRED OR SOLD WITH OUT THE COMPLETED RECALL! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
AS I WAS PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY ON 09-08-2017, I PUSHED IN THE CLUTCH TO GET READY TO STOP. I FELT THE CAR CONTINUE PUSHING FORWARD DESPITE HAVING THE CLUTCH PEDAL IN AND APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT COME OUT OF GEAR. THE CAR DIED AS I APPLIED MORE FORCE TO THE BRAKES, RESULTING IN THE CAR STOPPING SEVERAL FEET FURTHER THAN MY INTENDED PARKING SPOT. THIS IS A SUDDEN UNEXPECTED FAILURE OF THE CLUTCH. I BELIEVE THIS FAILURE IS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN 16V302000 RECALL. "THE CLUTCH DIAPHRAGM SPRING MAY FRACTURE AND FAIL, CAUSING INABILITY TO SWITCH GEARS." RECALL S34 WHICH ENTAILS INSTALLING A CLUTCH PEDAL LIMITER AND CLUTCH PEDAL SWITCH WAS PERFORMED ON THIS VEHICLE ON JAN-26-2017 AT THE CORWIN FIAT DEALERSHIP IN SPRINGFIELD MO AT 61202 MILES. YESTERDAY 09-08-2017 WITH 70644 MILES THE CLUTCH FAILED SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING. I HAVE NOT TAKEN IT TO A GARAGE YET FOR DIAGNOSIS.
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.
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.
ELECTRICAL ISSUES THROUGHOUT THE CAR CAUSING THE TRUNK TO NOT BE ABLE TO OPEN. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO CHANGE SPARK PLUGS AND IGNITION COIL. LIGHT BULBS IN MIDDLE CONSOLE ALL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. ENGINE AND AIR FILTERS
SAFETY RECALL IS STILL NOT COMPLETE! CLUTCH SAFETY SWICTH
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE PANORAMIC ROOF SHATTERED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE SUN ROOF AFTERWARDS. SCOTTSDALE FIAT OF SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND A SERVICE WORKER EXPLAINED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A COMMON OCCURRENCE IN THESE VEHICLES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 108,000.
MY FIAT 500 MANUAL TRANMISSION WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR WHEN I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH CLUTCH DIAPHRAGM SPRING CAUSEINGTHE CAR NOT TO SHIFT THE RECALL WASTO REPLACE THE CLUTCH PEDAL OVER TRAVEL I TOLD THE FIAT DEALER THEY SHOULD CHECK THE CLUTCH FIRST TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY DAMAGE NOW MY CLUTCH WENT THE CAR GIVES YOU NO SIGN WHEN ITS GOING TO FAIL VERY DANGEROUS CAR WAS IN MOTION WHEN IN HAPPEND
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. THE CONTACTED STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER LIGHTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (CRISWELL FIAT, 88 BUREAU DR, GAITHERSBURG, MD, 20878), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED OR MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 69,000.
PASSSENGER AIR BAGS CONSTANTLY WARNING ERROR AND DISABLING.
STUCK IN PARK - MUST PUSH RELEASE BUTTON EACH TIME TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE
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.
MY 2012 FIAT 500 WITH 36,298 MILES ON OD HAD CLUTCH FAILURE. I RECEIVED S34 RECALL FROM FIAT AND HAD RECALL WORK COMPLETE. I WAS TOLD THAT THE RECALLED PART COULD CAUSE WEAR ON CLUTCH PLATE AND THAT THE RECALL WAS CORRECTING THE ISSUE. THREE WEEKS LATER, I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT AND THE CLUTCH FELT FUNNY AND TRANSMISSION WAS STUCK IN FIRST GEAR. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALER AND DIAGNOSTIC STATES THAT BEARING-CLUTCH RELEASE AND DISC & PRESSURE PLATE NEED REPLACEMENT. I WAS TOLD THAT THE RECALL HAD NO BEARING ON THE CLUTCH FAILURE..."IT'S NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR LIKE BRAKE PADS AND TIRES." I HAVE SPOKEN WITH MY SERVICE REP AND FIAT CUSTOMER SERVICE. I HAVE REPEATEDLY BEEN TOLD THE FAILURE IS A "WEAR AND TEAR ISSUE". I HAVE REPEATEDLY STATED THAT I UNDERSTAND THIS, BUT THE RECALLED PART WAS SAID BY BOTH THE SERVICE PROVIDER AND FIAT, TO CAUSE WEAR ON COMPONENT (WEAR AND TEAR) PARTS OF THE CLUTCH. I MAINTAIN THAT THE FAULTY PART HAS ACCELERATED WEAR AND TEAR ON THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY AND THAT THE REPLACEMENT OF THE CLUTCH SHOULD BE COVERED BY FIAT. FIAT CUSTOMER SERVICE STATES THEY ARE INVESTIGATING MY CLAIM BUT I HAVE NOT HEARD BACK FROM THEM. AT THIS TIME, I AM HAVING TO PAY FOR THE $1200 REPAIR WHICH SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY ACCELERATED WEAR AND TEAR DUE TO A DEFECTIVE, RECALLED PART. PLEASE ADVISE.
"MANUAL TRANSAXLE CLUTCH PEDAL" THERE IS AN ONGOING RECALL THAT SINCE MAY 2016 HOWEVER PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE DEALER FINALLY INFORMED US PART WAS AVAILABLE AND SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT FOR 5/9/2017 AT 9AM. CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN TO APPOINTMENT WHEN CLUTCH FAILED TO DISENGAGE RESULTING IN CAR REARENDING CAR INFRONT OF IT AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 50 TO 60 MPH.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026