This page covers 8 recalls, 394 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2012 Fiat 500.
29–32 mpg combined
7.4–8.1 L/100km
Minicompact Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 2 tested variants for this model year.
3/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
The 2012 Fiat 500 draws complaints that center heavily on the powertrain, which accounts for nearly half of all reports filed for this model year. Owners most commonly describe clutch failures, including the clutch giving out suddenly during normal driving and the gear shifter becoming unresponsive or loose, leaving the car unable to shift into any gear. Stalling is another recurring powertrain complaint, with owners reporting the engine cutting out unexpectedly at low speeds and in stop-and-go situations. Electrical issues show up as the second most-reported system, and the pattern there tends to involve wiring harness failures, particularly the bundle running to the rear of the car, leading to cascading losses of the brake lights, rear defroster, trunk release, and license plate light. A smaller cluster of engine complaints includes abnormal clunking noises from underneath the front of the vehicle, often occurring without any warning lights on the dash.
394
Total Complaints
21
Crash-Related
4
Fire-Related
16
With Injuries
By System
The 2012 Fiat 500 has 8 recalls, the most serious involving both transmission types: the automatic transmission's shifter cable can detach and leave the car in an unintended gear, and the manual transmission's clutch diaphragm spring can fracture, making it impossible to shift or causing sudden loss of drive power.
Brakes are also a concern on certain vehicles assembled during a narrow production window: contaminated brake fluid can degrade seals inside the brake system, increasing stopping distance or causing a more significant loss of braking ability. Two separate recalls cover this same brake fluid contamination issue across different filings.
The remaining recalls are lower in severity. A software update for automatic transmission models corrects the timing of the backup lights, which activate later than they should. There is also a compliance label recall affecting Canadian-market vehicles where the passenger car designation appears in English only rather than in both official languages.
At a glance
What can fail
The cable connecting the shifter to the transmission may detach, preventing gear changes when you move the shifter. If you exit the vehicle while not in Park without the parking brake applied, the car could move unexpectedly.
What the fix does
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Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Dealers will install a new transmission shift cable adjuster to reconnect and secure the shifter cable properly.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The shifter cable bushing can fail, allowing the cable to detach from the transmission.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the shifter cable adjuster at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The clutch diaphragm spring can fracture and fail, making it impossible to shift gears.
What the fix does
A clutch pedal limiter and clutch pedal switch will be installed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
On manual transmission vehicles, clutch diaphragm springs may crack or break, preventing gear shifts or causing loss of engine power to the wheels.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a pedal travel limiter and pedal switch to address the issue.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Backup lamps activate too late after reverse gear is selected, delaying visibility to other road users that the vehicle is backing up.
What the fix does
Powertrain Control Module software will be updated to turn backup lamps on sooner when reverse is engaged.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
During assembly, some vehicles received contaminated brake fluid that can damage brake components, increasing stopping distance and risking crashes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace all brake components that contact hydraulic fluid.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Some vehicles contain contaminated brake fluid that degrades sealing parts in the brake system.
What the fix does
All brake components that contact hydraulic brake fluid will be replaced at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The vehicle's compliance label displays 'PASSENGER CAR' in English only, instead of showing text in both official languages or using the bilingual abbreviation 'PC/VT'.
What the fix does
No recall action is needed. This labeling issue is not safety-related.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
