Fiat 500 Recalls

The Fiat 500 has 13 recalls covering 2012 through 2019 model years, with the most serious being a clutch diaphragm spring that can fracture on 2012-2016 manual transmission models, leaving the driver unable to shift gears or causing sudden loss of drive power.

The 2014-2019 model years share a tire pressure monitoring system recall where the warning light can fail to illuminate when tires are underinflated, removing the driver's only dashboard alert before a potential blowout or handling problem. On 2016 models, the spare tire placard lists an inflation pressure higher than the tire's own maximum rating, meaning a driver following the label's guidance could overinflate the spare and cause it to fail while in use.

The 2013-2015 battery electric variants have a separate powertrain concern: a fault in the electric vehicle control unit can cause the transmission to drop unexpectedly into neutral while driving, cutting drive power without warning. On 2012-2013 models with the 6-speed automatic transmission, the shifter cable bushing can fail and let the cable detach from the transmission, meaning the gear the driver selects may not actually engage. A related issue on 2012 automatics means that if the cable detaches and the driver exits without applying the parking brake, the car can roll away. The 2012 model year also had a narrow production window where brake fluid was contaminated during assembly, which can degrade internal brake seals and extend stopping distances.

Going back to the aftermarket side, a third-party short shifter shaft sold for use in 2013 Fiat 500 models with manual transmissions can break while the vehicle is moving if the shaft was manufactured with a through hole instead of a blind hole for the set screw.