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've had 3 different issues with the transmission- There's been 1 recall on the clutch- The transmission put me in Great danger I was driving on the freeway about 60 mph when the car just popped into neutral- I was terrified and I managed to pull to safety to put the manual transmission into gear- I didn't want it to happen again- I had to hold the gear until I got to an exit to get off the freeway- I had the Fiat towed to the dealership and fixed- then 6 months later driving again and it jumps out of gear into Neutral another scare- I put it in the shop and it cost me $4646,00 to replace the transmission, I really would like this serious safety hazzard investigated so no one gets hurt- I was Blessed to be able to think fast to save my life on a busy Highway my safety and others was put at risk because it could have caused a crash- It gives no warning at all- car is available upon …
I bought this car about a year ago, ever since I got the car the first issue started within a month it just started to shut off for no reason first at a traffic light, afterward while I was driving called the dealership who sold me the car I was told to bring it to find out they did not have a certified Fiat Mechanic that would be able to look at the car so it was towed to another dealership. I was told they fixed the issue but once again the vehicle started doing the same thing even more frequently fast forward my car has yet to be fixed I feel like I am going to get rear-ended and hurt really bad and all I get from the dealership is that they can't fix it. My question to them is why I sell me a car that you knew you could not repair or you knew you really didn't check properly as per your words you don't have a certified mechanic.
Car is very young, 24, 781 miles and turned in by prior owner with 22,400's miles. After car was sold with a recall, it was noted it also suffers from oil leaking from the rear main transmittion, per mechanic it affects both the transmition and the motor, and could cause death if car ran out of oil. Leak per several independent mechanics is too soon for a Fiat with so little miles, and a car that still owns the original tires, wipers, and still has the smell from when it was new. Car by prior owner was for vacation, but car now leaks and it seems many vehicles this year model have the same issue per blogs and Fiat complaints blogs, unfortunately the dealer wont fix the problem and mechanics are in shock car was sold with a recall and when it was serviced they too refused to work on the seal waiting for the car to go through the bank first & hope for a warranty to pay for the labor and …
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 [phone]), but the failure still could not be determined or duplicated. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Fiat 500. When the ignition was turned to the on position, half of the instrument panel failed to illuminate. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the instrument panel was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. When the ignition was turned to the on position, the engine revved but the vehicle failed to start. The ignition had to be turned to the off position and back on in order for the vehicle to start. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the started idle gear failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact also stated that the fuel gauge failed to register the fuel range. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel gauge failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. …
My car had problems shifting gears and the high coolant temperature light went on. The warning said stop and turn car off immediately. I pulled into my driveway and had the car towed to stateline Fiat where I purchased the car. They topped off the coolant and said the car was ready to be picked up. I got in the car and it started to shake when I turned the ignition. They said it was a loose cap and tightened it. I drove back home and within 3 months the same thing happened again. The car was towed to a new local Fiat. Over the past 2 and a half years, I have had to pull off on the side of the road multiple times and have the car towed. No one can seem to find the exact issue with the car, but they keep telling me it is fixed. The bottom line is I do not feel safe driving this car. I feel my safety and the safety of other drivers is in jeopardy when this vehicle is on the road.
As of 01/15/2017 my 2012 Fiat 500 pop recall has still not been fixed correctly. I am currently renting a vehicle for transportation. Fiat Chrysler has not paid me one penny toward my vehicle rental. I have received random emails from Chrysler the last email was dated January 13, 2017 saying they had an updated on case #30818709. What update could they have my vehicle recall has not been fixed in a timely manner. My vehicle has not been fixed at all. The truth is there are very few mechanics in the united states of America capable of fixing a Fiat because of the unique design most mechanics don't have the proper training for this particular design of vehicle nor do they have the correct tools the vehicle is designed using a european metric system in order to bring the vehicle to safety standards Fiat mechanics need the proper training and tools! Bottom line my recall has not been fixed!
Hi, I have had several issues with my car which have had several attempts to fix. Safety concerns regarding the cruise control locking up on my vehicle, convertible top still not adjusting and blocking line of sight in the back so you cannot see what is behind you while driving, and start up issues with car not always starting up correctly, having misfires. The car has only been worked on the dealership where I purchased the vehicle at the Fiat of van nuys, ca. The car has been worked on several times since I first purchased it back in jan of 2013. I am seeking out any help necessary as I have had these safety concerns since I first got the car to now and I am feel very unsafe with the work that has been done as well as my own safety as well as others. Thank you, [redacted] '
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Fiat 500. While driving various speeds with the accelerator pedal depressed, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate without warning. The contact also stated that a burning plastic odor emitted from the vehicle. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle hesitated to start. The contact mentioned that the failures recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the clutch pedal needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The contact later received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V302000 (power train); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 38,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
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..
Engine complaints in other 500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2012 Fiat 500?
NHTSA has 53 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2012 Fiat 500, 13% of the model year's 396 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2012 Fiat 500 engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 31,000 miles, and 40% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.