The Lemon Index2012 Fiat 500. Advanced data.
The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.
Failure mileage by system
Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 4,500 and 46,000 miles. Median 24,000, from 99 complaints with a mileage.
Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.
Complaints by system
| System | Share of complaints |
|---|---|
| Transmission & drivetrain | 36% |
| Electrical | 21% |
| Engine | 16% |
| Airbags | 11% |
| Steering | 10% |
One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.
Severity, all complaints
| Total | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Tows |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 107 | 9 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 0 |
As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.
Recall campaigns 4
19V817000 Nov 2019 Power Train / Automatic Transmission / Lever And Linkage / Floor Shift
Defect. Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Fiat 500 vehicles equipped with 6-speed automatic transmissions. The shifter cable bushing may fail allowing the cable to detach from the transmission.
Risk. If the shifter cable detaches from the transmission, the transmission may not shift into the gear selected by the driver. Additionally, despite selecting PARK with the shifter, the vehicle may roll away. These scenarios may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter cable adjuster, free of charge. The recall began January 9, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is VB4.
19E044000 Jul 2019 Power Train / Manual Transmission / Floor Shift Assembly
Defect. DLT, LLC. is recalling certain CravenSpeed Fiat Short Shifter shafts sold for use in 2011-2019 Fiat 500 vehicles. 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.
Risk. If the shifter breaks while the vehicle is in motion, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy. DLT has notified owners, and will provide a complete replacement shifter assembly with an updated shaft, free of charge. The recall began July 24, 2019. Owners may contact DLT customer service at 1-503-505-6886.
16V302000 May 2016 Power Train / Manual Transmission
Defect. Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2012-2016 Fiat 500 vehicles manufactured June 21, 2010, through January 12, 2016, equipped with a manual transmission. The clutch diaphragm spring may fracture and fail, causing an inability to switch gears.
Risk. If the clutch diaphragm spring fails, the driver may not be able to shift gears or the vehicle may lose motive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy. The remedy for this recall will include the installation of a clutch pedal limiter and a clutch pedal switch. The recall began on November 10, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S34.
11V550000 Nov 2011 Service Brakes, Hydraulic / Fluid
Defect. CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 DODGE JOURNEY AND FIAT 500 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 24, 2011, THROUGH OCTOBER 26, 2011. SOME VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH CONTAMINATED BRAKE FLUID AND MAY EXPERIENCE A DEGRADATION OF THE SEALING COMPONENTS WITHIN THE BRAKE SYSTEM.
Risk. THIS COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy. CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE ALL BRAKE COMPONENTS THAT COME IN CONTACT WITH HYDRAULIC BRAKE FLUID. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 1, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
NHTSA investigations
| Status | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Closed | Electrical overstress | 2019 | 2024 |
Manufacturer communications 132
Fiat filed 132 service communications for this car with NHTSA.
- There is water on top of the engine cover
- See document search button for owner letter
- Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination
Crash ratings by version
| 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 |
Safety equipment
| Electronic stability | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | No | No |
Engines and drivetrains 3
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / hwy / combined | Fuel | Fuel cost/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | FWD | 30 / 37 / 32 | Premium | $2,400 |
| 1.4L 4-cyl | Auto 6-spd | FWD | 27 / 33 / 29 | Premium | $2,650 |
| 1.4L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 5-spd | FWD | 28 / 33 / 30 | Premium | $2,600 |
EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.
YouTube repair topics
200 videos about the 2012–2019 Fiat 500, 21.5M views.
| Topic | Videos | Views |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment, battery & electrical | 1 | 147K |
| Gauges, lights & wiring | 1 | 92K |
| Oil changes & service | 3 | 90K |
| Transmission & shifter | 3 | 88K |
| Brakes & ABS | 3 | 82K |
| Heat, A/C & blend door | 2 | 67K |
| Timing chain & engine | 1 | 65K |
| No-start: theft light, key & ignition | 1 | 38K |
Nearby model years
Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.
Updated · Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com)
. Get the data