Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Fiat 500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I bought this car from a dealer in Fortville (Carlux) who said it had a clean history, this car was meant to be driven by my 17 year old to school, after driving it for 1 week she noticed weird sounds on turning and the engine being very loud and not responding to acceleration or deceleration, thankfully she made it back home safely, I then took it to my local mechanic who noticed major safety issues with the vehicle and on running the VIN number found out there are 2 safety recalls on it. Is there a law or regulation against the dealership that does that? It could have cost my child's life. Their address is: 222 W Broadway street, Fortville , IN 46040 and contact # is [phone]
The air bag light will come on then turn off Is their a malfunction of the air bag or is it just coming on and off and will the air bag respond normally in a crash it been happening for approximately a year now it hasn't been inspected
My 2012 Fiat 500 vehicle was moving @ 55mph on cruise control when it experienced a crash with another vehicle that pulled across its path. The Fiat struck other the vehicle broadside near the rear of the other vehicle with right half of front of Fiat. Fiat then pitched to the right and then rolled (side to roof) twice landing finally on its wheels. As the driver, I assure you I feel lucky to be alive. However, not even one single airbag in the Fiat deployed --- not the driver's airbag, not the passenger airbag, not the side air bags, not the rear head air bag and not the side head curtain air bags. There have never been any air bag warning lights illuminated on this Fiat. This Fiat has always been serviced at a FCA/Chrysler dealership. There has never been any mention of any air bag problems by any of the service personnel who have serviced the vehicle during any of the service visits. …
Takata recall? Traveling on a poorly designed new tollway heading toward an exit ramp decelerating from the 70 MPH speed limit, the vehicle hydroplaned and impacted a retaining wall. The driver, passenger, and lower curtain airbags deployed. There was no passenger in the car. The driver was struck in the upper right chest with something that sliced through the fleece lined rain jacket worn, and whatever it was was so hot that it melted the edges of the cut material. The driver also sustained extensive deep bruising in the location of the strike. Had the driver not been wearing the jacket, there would have been serious damage to the flesh beyond bruising, and had the strike happened slightly higher, injuries leading to death could have occurred. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Fiat 500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle crashed into a second vehicle. During the crash the front end of the vehicle was severely damaged but the air bags did not deploy. The driver sustained both leg injuries and a injured neck during the crash that required medical attention. The vehicle not towed. A police report was filed at the scene. The cause of the failure was not determined. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer Fiat of melbourne located at 300 e nasa blvd, melbourne, fl 32901 and examined by a manufacturers engineer who determined no failure had occurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.
Tl* the contact owed a 2012 Fiat 500.the contact stated while in standstill traffic, another vehicle driving at 45 MPH rear ended the contact, causing his vehicle to push forward and crash into another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The contact stated that after the crash an error message on the dashboard "faulty air bags" displayed. The contact sustained neck and shoulder injuries that required medial attention. A police report (ncc# 9650) was filed. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to his residence. The contact stated the vehicle failed to start and was not drivable. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired as of yet. A dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 74,000.
Takata recall - Chrysler owns Fiat and I had a problem with my air bags on a 2012 Fiat. I was in a small fender bender. All air bags opened but all the front air bags ruptured. No one else was in the car with me but the sensor in the passenger seat did not kick in. All air bags deployed. I had injuries which were a fractured elbow, dislocated my arm in two places. Since then I am having trouble with my shoulder, neck, headaches, and my back. I am going to the doctors and physical therapy. Please get back to me as soon as possible as I am going to hire an attorney to see what can be done. My insurance company consider it a total loss.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Fiat 500. While driving at 40 MPH, the contact's vehicle crashed into another vehicle that was stopped. The air bags did not deploy. The contact mentioned that the air bag warning light illuminated. A police report was filed. The contact sustained a whiplash that required medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to an impound lot. The failure mileage was 25,500.
Was driving on the freeway and the car lost power. All lights on indicator dash went off. No steering ability and little/no control of vehicle. Failure resulted in a crash. No airbags deployed even though there was side impact to both sides and front end impact. The car was totaled.
NHTSA investigations
Electrical overstress
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events.
Airbag complaints in other 500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2012 Fiat 500?
NHTSA has 32 complaints about the air bags of the 2012 Fiat 500, 8% of the model year's 396 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2012 Fiat 500 airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2012 Fiat 500, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2012 Fiat 500 airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 23% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 13 crashes, 0 fires and 14 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.