The Lemon Index
20131st generation
Worse than average · most complaints: transmission & drivetrain
Better years to buy
107 owner complaints, first 3 years 29–32 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2012 Honda Fit 522012 Toyota Yaris 232012 Nissan Versa 118
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2012 Fiat 500
- Engine stalling27 complaintsmostly at 30,000–70,000 miles (48,000–113,000 km)
- Starter10 complaintsmostly at 25,000–65,000 miles (40,000–105,000 km)
- Ball joint / control arm10 complaintsmostly at 44,000–62,000 miles (71,000–99,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 396 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Fiat 500 (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 4,500 and 46,000 miles (7,200–74,000 km) (the middle half of the 99 complaints, of all 107 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 19V817000 (transmission & drivetrain), 19E044000 (transmission & drivetrain) and 16V302000 (transmission & drivetrain) done? It has 4 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Fiat sent dealers 132 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “There is water on top of the engine cover”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Fiat's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 107 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 4K to 46K miles (7K to 74K km) on the car (99 of all 107 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Failed pressure plate with 2012 Fiat 500. Design flaw/materials issue. Fiat is not standing behind their product, no manual transmission should have to be replaced at 61,000 miles.
2012 Fiat 500 owner · NHTSA complaint 10677117
More owner reports
Air bag lights are not showing on the instrument cluster the airbags are not working!
NHTSA complaint 10550428
The vehicle "pops" out of 5th gear at highway speeds of 60mph or higher. The tachometer goes into the red and the car slows down in traffic or on a hill until placed into gear again.
NHTSA complaint 10578404
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 21.5M views · 2012–2019 Fiat 500
Most-watched topics
- Infotainment, battery & electrical147K views
Battery Replacement on Fiat 500 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016World Mechanics · 147K views - Gauges, lights & wiring92K views
How to Turn Daylight Running Lights OFF on Fiat 500 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016World Mechanics · 92K views - Transmission & shifter88K views
2012-15 Fiat 500 Automatic Transmission Fluid Change/Adding Fluid EASY Tutorial (don't waste time)6yap2 · 44K views · 3 videos - Brakes & ABS82K views
How to Replace Front Brake Pads & Rotors on a Fiat 500 (2012-2019)Brake The Bank Garage · 39K views · 3 videos
Show 3 more
- Heat, A/C & blend door67K views
Fiat 500 - Cabin Air Filter Replacement - 2012-2019MINUTE DIY VIDEOS · 55K views · 2 videos - Timing chain & engine65K views
2012 Fiat 500 Misfire Diagnosis and Fix - P0202 P0302Super Mario Diagnostics · 65K views - No-start: theft light, key & ignition38K views
No Start 2012 Fiat 500 | Easy FixJourney Along With Shannon · 38K views
Before you buy, watch
Fiat 500 Abarth hatchback 2014 review - CarbuyerCarbuyer · 646K views
Fiat 500 hatchback 2015 review - CarbuyerCarbuyer · 355K views
2012 fiat 500 sport hatchback lock problemsgpfreak1 · 55K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2012 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Fiat told dealers about
Fiat sent dealers 132 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- There is water on top of the engine cover
- See document search button for owner letter
- Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 4
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2019
The shifter cable bushing may fail allowing the cable to detach from the transmission.
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2019
The Shifter Shaft may have been improperly manufactured with a through hole for the set screw rather than a blind hole, which may lead to the breakage of the Shifter Shaft.
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2016
The clutch diaphragm spring may fracture and fail, causing an inability to switch gears.
Show all 4 recalls
- Brakes · recall issued 2011
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 DODGE JOURNEY AND FIAT 500 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 24, 2011, THROUGH OCTOBER 26, 2011.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedElectrical overstress2019–2024
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiat 500 3 HB FWD Later Release | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Fiat 500 3 HB FWD Early Release | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Fiat 500 Cabrio C FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,350–$2,600 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 1.4L 4-cyl.
Every Fiat 500 year. 2012 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 4 Fiat 500 years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2012 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/fiat-500/?y=2012" title="Fiat 500 reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="307" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/fiat-500/2012/">Lemon Index</a> (2012 Fiat 500 reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2012 Fiat 500 reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew about one and a half times the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 163; 100 is average, lower is better). The Fiat 500 year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2013.
What are the most common 2012 Fiat 500 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (36%), electrical (21%) and engine (16%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2012 Fiat 500 have?
4 safety recalls (latest: transmission & drivetrain). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Fiat 500 get?
29 to 32 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2012 Fiat 500 safe?
NHTSA gave it 3 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2012 Fiat 500 problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 4,500 and 46,000 miles (7,200–74,000 km) (the middle half of the 99 complaints, of all 107 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2012 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2012 Fiat 500 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 36% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2012 Fiat 500 cost in fuel a year?
About $2,350 to $2,600 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2012 Fiat 500 have?
1.4L 4-cyl.
What Fiat 500 year is better than the 2012?
Nearby, the 2013 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (a bit more than the average car's complaints).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works