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 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 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.
At 47,500 miles and 4 years, 9 months of ownership, my passenger side lower front ball joint broke. There were no signs of problems leading up to the breakage. Unfortunately Fiat no longer makes the 2012 lower front ball joints and the 2013+ ball joints require a new assembly so the entire ball joint, control arm, etc. Assembly has to be created.
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, [phone]) 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, [phone]). …
2012 Fiat 500c mileage 86649. When driving over a bump or pothole a loud metallic sound is heard on the driver's side and to a lesser extent from in front of the engine down low when both wheels go over a crack in the road simultaneously. Carcomplaints.com says some persons have experienced the control arm disengaging from the steering mechanism on both the driver and passenger sides. Other's report a broken ball joint causing car to lose control. One person reported that when "Firestone" tried to get a "d/s" axle replacement part they were told it was a "customer satisfaction recall." but when the Fiat 500 was taken to the dealer they said no such recall existed and wanted owner to pay the total cost. I am the original owner of this 2012 Fiat 500c special order dealer showroom model. …
Noticed car would 'hunt' over rutted road surfaces such as coming to a stop at a traffic light. Took in for alignment and was told driver side ball joint bad and the upper strut mount was as well. Was also informed by both a local Goodyear dealer and the Fiat dealer that the original parts were not available and that the repair would be $1400+ because multiple things had to be upgraded to a later year's specifications requiring the purchase and installation of 2013 or later cast not stamped lower control arm with new joint. Because that had to be changed, the steering knuckle, the bearings and the drive shaft would all require replacement to match the 2013 or later product. This would be very expensive as noted and is a known problem that the manufacturer is ignoring. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Fiat 500. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the technician informed that the vehicle needed to be reset. The vehicle was repaired. The failure recurred with an abnormal sound emitting from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 28,488. ....updated 07/05/16 the consumer stated she took the vehicle to the dealer, after receiving a recall notice regarding the transmission. However, the dealer informed her, the back up device was not working. The consumer also stated there was an issue with the suspension. It felt as though the vehicle was going to turn over. Updated 07/21/16.
Lower ball joints on both sides loose and show excessive wear. Dealership performed maintence and did not notice anything while under warranty but next maintence showed excessive wear and car was just out of warranty and Fiat would not cover repair. Numerous documented incidents on 2012 Fiat 500's where ball joints have broken loose. A serious safety issue that Fiat needs to address as the ball joints are wearing within 50,000-60000 miles
2012 Fiat 500 prima edizione. Backing out of parking lot, driver's side front wheel disconnects from the lower control arm. Car falls almost to the ground. Dealer identifies worn ball joint. Just under 62K miles. Recent alignment and tire replacement done by the dealer. All regular service done at same local dealer since new. First and only owner. Very fortunate this did not happen on the highway at speed.
Suspension complaints in other 500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2012 Fiat 500?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the suspension of the 2012 Fiat 500, 5% of the model year's 396 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2012 Fiat 500 suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension 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 suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 48,000 miles, and 21% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to suspension 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.