What 394 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Fiat 500 Bev

THE PRESSURED PLATE FAIL AT 34769 K, ( WAS OVER 3 YEARS WARRANTY) I HAVE TO PAY FOR A TOWN COMPANY TO MOVE IT TO MY MECHANIC. ALSO Y HAVE A REAMPLACE AND COST ME $ 1742.90

NHTSA ODI 10864492

I GOT A FLAT TIRE ON A PRIMITIVE ROAD ON THE WAY BACK FROM A HIKE. I THOUGHT I WAS PREPARED FOR THIS, BECAUSE I HAD A SPARE TIRE AND ALL THE EQUIPMENT TO CHANGE IT. HOWEVER THE DEVICE THAT DEPLOYS THE SPARE WAS BROKEN. I HAD TO DRIVE THE LAST 1.5 MILES ON THE PRIMITIVE ROAD TO GET TO A PLACE WHERE A MECHANIC WOLD FIND MY CAR. FROM THE MAIN ROAD I STILL NEEDED A STRANGER TO DRIVE ME 7 MILES UPHILL TO GET CELL SERVICE. I WAS IN A VERY DANGEROUS TOWN AND IT WAS GETTING DARK OUT. BUT EVEN ONCE THE MECHANIC ARRIVED HE WAS UNABLE TO ACCESS THE SPARE. DUE TO THE SPARE NOT RELEASING AND HAVING TO DRIVE AN EXTRA MILE AFTER GETTING A FLAT TIRE I NOW HAVE A BENT RIM AS WELL. I HAD TO GET RIDES FROM THREE STRANGERS, AND SPEND THE NIGHT IN A SKETCHY HOTEL.

NHTSA ODI 10864052

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 *BF 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.*JB

NHTSA ODI 10861706

THE REAR LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS HAVE FAILED. THE LED BULBS ARE FUNCTIONAL, BUT THE WIRING HARNESS PROVIDING POWER TO THE LIGHTS HAS FAILED DUE POOR ROUTING OF THE HARNESS RESULTING IN BROKEN WIRES AND ELECTRICAL SHORTS TO THE SYSTEM. OTHER SIMILAR MAKE AND MODELS OF THIS CAR HAVE SUFFERED THE SAME PROBLEM. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CONSIDERERS THIS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. I CONSIDER THIS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT. IF THIS PROBLEM AFFECTED THE HEADLIGHTS, THIS COULD BE A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI 10861049

VEHICLE HAS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. WITHOUT WARNING, DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS ON A CITY STREET, IT BECAME IMPOSSIBLE TO SHIFT GEARS. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP (FIAT DEALER) WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THE FLYWHEEL, CLUTCH PRESSURE PLATE, AND CLUTCH BEARING WERE BROKEN AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. COST FOR THE REPAIR WAS $1612.00

NHTSA ODI 10851625

I WAS DRIVING IN 3RD GEAR (MANUAL TRANS) AND TRIED TO SHIFT TO 4TH. THE SHIFT KNOB POPPED OUT OF 3RD FINE, BUT THEN WOULD NOT GO INTO 4TH. WHEN I TRIED TO GO BACK INTO 3RD IT WOULDN'T ENGAGE. I ENDED UP NEEDING TO SHIFT INTO 2ND WHEN THE CAR LOST MOMENTUM, IT WOULD NOT ENGAGE IN THIS GEAR EITHER, OR 1ST. I HAD TO TURN QUICKLY ONTO A SIDE STREET IN ORDER TO NOT GET HIT FROM BEHIND. WITH THE CAR ON, IN NEUTRAL, AND STATIONARY, IT WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO ANY GEAR (WITH THE CLUTCH PRESSED DOWN). IT FELT LIKE IT JUST BOUNCED OUT OF GEAR WITHOUT IT EVER ENGAGING. WITH THE CAR OFF, THE SHIFTER WOULD ENGAGE FINE - IN ANY GEAR. FROM WHAT I'VE READ ON MULTIPLE FIAT FORUMS, THIS IS A REOCCURRING PROBLEM FOR MANY. MY CAR HAS APPROXIMATELY 46,000MILES, AND NOT HAD ANY MAJOR ISSUES THUS FAR, WITH THE ENGINE AND BODY ARE IN GREAT CONDITION. - HTTP://WWW.FIAT500OWNERS.COM/FORUM/8-FIAT-500-GENERAL-DISCUSSION-FORUM/81033-WONT-ABLE-SHIFT-GEARS.HTML ---- HTTP://WWW.FIAT500OWNERS.COM/FORUM/8-FIAT-500-GENERAL-DISCUSSION-FORUM/27713-STIFF-CLUTCH-CAR-WONT-SHIFT-INTO-GEAR-GETTING-SICK-ALL-THESE-ISSUES.HTML ----

NHTSA ODI 10851488

THE CLUTCH GAVE OUT IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AS I WAS DOWNSHIFTING TO ENTER A TRAFFIC CIRCLE. THE CLUTCH PEDAL BECAME STIFF AND I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL, BUT COULD NOT PUT THE CAR BACK IN GEAR, OR DEPRESS THE CLUTCH PEDAL FULLY. ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC, THE PRESSURE PLATE CRACKED DUE TO IT BEING MANUFACTURED WITH LOW-QUALITY METAL. THE CAR HAS ONLY 43,000 MILES ON IT.

NHTSA ODI 10846116

"TAKATA RECALL" MECHANICAL DEFECT HAS BEEN DETECTED. MY CAR WAS ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN SUDDENLY IT RANDOMLY BEGAN STATING TO "CHECK TRANSMISSION SEE HANDBOOK." I TOOK IT TO A FIAT DEALERSHIP IN WHICH I IMMEDIATELY ADVISED THEM OF THE DIAGNOSIS CODE P0741 HAD BEEN PROVIDED TO THEM AT DROP OFF BEFORE ANY WORK WAS PERFORMED - TONY (THE SERVICE ADVISOR) SAID THAT WAS NOT HELPFUL COULD MEAN ANYTHING. (DIAGNOSIS MEANS: TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH CIRCUIT PERFORMANCE OR STUCK OFF) I WAS ADVISED NUMBERS LIES AND WAS TOLD I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. TURNS OUT THERE IS A FAULT IN THE WIRING OF THE SYSTEM AND COMPUTER WHICH IS NOW CAUSING CAR TO NOT STAY IN GEAR. I WANT TO RAISE ALL AWARENESS TO THIS ISSUE. ESPECIALLY SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THIS CAR (ONLY 58K IN MILEAGE) I HAVE HAD TO PERSONALLY REPLACE THE FOLLOWING: NUMBER OF RADIATOR REPAIRS: 2 SUNROOF: 1 TRANSMISSION: FAULTY MECHANICAL ERROR TOTAL TUNE UPS: 2 BRAKE INSTALLMENTS: 3 I WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF ANY PRIOR ISSUES BEFORE PURCHASE ALL ISSUES HAVE OCCURRED DUE TO MANUFACTURE NEGLIGENCE! NO ACCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED. PLEASE ASSIST ME IN ANY WAY POSSIBLE.

NHTSA ODI 10839085

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500 ABARTH. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CLUTCH FAILED AND PREVENTED THE TRANSMISSION FROM SHIFTING OUT OF GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH PRESSURE PLATE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000.

NHTSA ODI 10825574

AT ABOUT 33,000 MILES THE FUEL ROLLOVER VALVE FAILED MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO PUMP FUEL INTO MY TANK AND AT TIMES CAUSING FUEL TO SPILL FROM THE FILLER TUBE. THE VALVE IS NOT REPLACEABLE SO THE ENTIRE FUEL TANK WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. ABOUT 3,200 MILES LATER THE ROLLOVER VALVE FAILED AGAIN. EVEN THOUGH THE TANK ONLY HAD A FEW THOUSAND MILES ON IT FIAT/CHRYSLER REFUSED TO WARRANTY THE REPLACEMENT TANK DUE TO THE CAR ITSELF BEING OUT OF NEW CAR WARRANTY BY A FEW MONTHS. I REFUSED REPLACEMENT OF THE SECOND TANK AT MY EXPENSE. THERE ARE A LOT OF DETAILS, DISCUSSIONS, AND A PROMISE BROKEN BY FIAT/CHRYSLER THAT ARE MISSING HERE BECAUSE OF AVAILABLE CHARACTERS TO TYPE. SIMPLY PUT THOUGH, FIAT ADMITS HAVING A ROLLOVER VALVE PROBLEM. MY RESEARCH SHOWS THAT MANY OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE PROBLEM BELIEVE IT IS CAUSED BY THE FUEL PUMP NOZZLE ITSELF SO THEY HAVE NOT COMPLAINED TO FIAT. ONE OF THE 3 DEALERS I SPOKE WITH MENTIONED THEY ARE HAVING TO REPLACE TANKS BECAUSE OF THE ROLLOVER VALVE THAT "STICKS". UPON CHECKING THE VALVE MYSELF I SAW NO EVIDENCE OF STICKING YET SOMETHING WAS BLOCKING FUEL FROM COMING IN. IS IT SO SENSITIVELY CALIBRATED THAT ONE CAN'T ACTUALLY TELL IF IT WORKS WITHOUT SPECIAL MEASURING TOOLS? HOW DOES FIAT SERVICE TEST IT? IF IT IS STICKING CLOSED, CAN IT STICK OPEN RENDERING THE ROLLOVER SAFETY COMPLETELY INEFFECTIVE? REGARDLESS, THIS VALVE WAS DESIGNED NOT TO FAIL, OTHERWISE IT WOULD REQUIRE AN INEXPENSIVE REPLACEABLE PART RATHER THAN A $800.00 FUEL TANK REPLACEMENT. I ALSO CONTEND, THAT, FOR IT TO CEASE TO OPERATE CORRECTLY AFTER JUST A FEW THOUSAND MILES (DO THE MATH) A GOOD INDICATION IS THAT IT WAS DEFECTIVE WHEN INSTALLED. BUT FIAT REFUSES TO BEAR ANY RESPONSIBILITY. FINALLY, THIS IS NOT A NEW PROBLEM WITH CHRYSLER. I BELIEVE EXTENDED LIFETIME WARRANTIES EXIST FOR RAM TRUCKS AND OTHER DODGE VEHICLES FROM ABOUT 2003 TO 2007 FOR A SIMILAR PART.

NHTSA ODI 10825196

AT ABOUT 36,000 MILES IT BECAME DIFFICULT TO CHANGE GEARS AND THEN SHIFTER SUDDENLY BECAME IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL WHILE ON THE ROAD. GOT OFF THE ROAD AND CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO FIRST GEAR, AND WHEN TRYING TO REVERSE IT MADE A HORRIBLE GRINDING SOUND. CAR WAS IMMOBILE. TURNS OUT THAT SOME 2012 FIATS HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO HAVE FAULTY PRESSURE PLATES INSTALLED. DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS MY PRESSURE PLATE AND QUOTED A PRICE OF 1100+ AS THEY SAID CLUTCH IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I FOUGHT THAT AND FIAT CHRYSLER CORPORATION ENDED UP PAYING FOR THE NEW CLUTCH ASSEMBLY. A PHOTO OF PRESSURE PLATE WERE EMAILED BY DEALER WITH THE NOTE: AS YOU CAN SEE HERE IN THE PICTURE THE FINGERS FOR THE PRESSURE PLATE ARE BENT IN 3 PLACES CAUSING THE ISSUE YOU ARE EXPERIENCING. THE GOOD NEWS IS I HAVE SPOKEN WITH ERICKA FROM FIAT CHRYSLER HEADQUARTERS AND THIS WILL BE WARRANTIED BY THEM AT NO COST TO YOU FOR THE PARTS, LABOR OR RENTAL.

NHTSA ODI 10823363

WHILE IN MOTION (1ST GEAR) AND ABOUT TO SHIFT INTO SECOND THE CLUTCH BECAME COMPLETELY FROZEN AND THE SHIFT LEVER WAS UNABLE TO MOVE GEARS. THIS WAS WHILE IN TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE SHUT DOWN IN ORDER FOR THE SHIFTER TO BE PUT INTO NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE HAS 60,000 MILES ON IT. NO PREVIOUS CLUTCH ISSUES WERE APPARENT.THE SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD US IT WAS A FAILURE OF THE CLUTCH PRESSURE PLATE AND CONSEQUENTLY THE SLAVE CYLINDER. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE CLUTCH WAS NOT WORN BEYOND NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR FOR THE MILEAGE SO THIS WAS NOT CAUSED BY USER ERROR BUT DEFECTIVE PRESSURE PLATE. WE WERE TOLD THAT BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION WAS OUT WE MIGHT AS WELL REPLACE THE CLUTCH BUT IT WAS NOT REQUIRED. TOTAL REPAIR COST WAS $1030.00 INCLUDING THE PRESSURE PLATE, SLAVE CYLINDER, CLUTCH AND LABOR. THIS ISSUE HAS OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS 2012 FIAT 500'S BASED UPON OTHER OWNERS. THIS IS A SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD FROM A DEFECTIVE PART. THE NEW PART HAS A NEW PART NUMBER BUT I WAS TOLD THIS HAS NO RELATION TO PRESSURE PLATE UPDATES EVEN THOUGH NEWER 500'S DON'T SEEM TO HAVE THE ISSUE. ALSO NOTICED WAS THE CARS CLUTCH FEELS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT THAN IT DID UPON PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE IN 2012 THROUGH PRIOR TO THE REPAIR. NOW THE CLUTCH PEDAL EXHIBITS A COMPLETELY LOOSE FEELING WITHOUT TENSION AS IT DID THE PAST 4 YEARS.

NHTSA ODI 10820538

DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WITH MY CRUISE CONTROL ON, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND CANCELLED THE CRUISE CONTROL. THERE WAS NOTHING AROUND MY EMERGENCY BRAKE. I PULLED OVER TO PULL IT AND MAKE SURE NOTHING WAS MAKING IT BE ENGAGED. DROVE ON HOME WITH NO OTHER PROBLEMS.

NHTSA ODI 10810854

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, INCLUDING THE LIGHTS, GAUGES, AND METERS, FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.

NHTSA ODI 10809669

CLUTCH WOULD NOT DISENGAGE, COULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR FROM NEUTRAL,IN MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC, HAD TO SHUT ENGINE OFF, PUT IN GEAR, START IN GEAR AND DROVE TO SAFE LOCATION[CITY STREET] [11/20/2015] [17,500 MILES ON CAR]$1400.00 FOR CLUTCH REPLACEMENT

NHTSA ODI 10809459

THE CLUTCH FAILED WITHOUT WARNING, PREVENTING THE CAR FROM SHIFTING GEARS -- FROM SECOND TO THIRD GEAR IN REGULAR, CITY-STREET TRAFFIC (LYNDALE AVE., IN MINNEAPOLIS, MN). AT THE MOMENT OF FAILURE, I HEARD/FELT A DISTINCT YET LIGHT "THUMP" AS I PRESSED DOWN ON THE CLUTCH PEDAL. THE CAR ONLY HAS 40K MILES ON IT.

NHTSA ODI 10808236

DEALER REFUSE TO CHANGE A DEFECTIVE TIRE (GOUGE) IN SIDE WALL. I DID NOT TAKE POSSESSION OF CAR AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE, DUE TO AFTER HOURS. FOLLOWING DAY SERVICE MANAGER CALLED ME SAYING IT WAS COSMETIC AND THAT IT MEETS NHTSA STANDARDS. I COULD STICK MY FINGER INTO THE HOLE AND FEEL THE TIRE CORD. LOOKED AT CAR INITIALLY WITH POOR LIGHTING. NOTICED THIS DEFECT JUST PRIOR TO DRIVING OFF WHERE THERE WAS BETTER LIGHTING.

NHTSA ODI 10808072

I WAS DRIVING ALONG AT ABOUT 30 MPH AND MY CLUTCH PEDAL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO PUSH IN AND I COULD NOT SHIFT. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO TURN INTO A PARKING LOT WHERE I COULD NOT PUT THE CAR INTO GEAR. ONCE THE CAR WAS OFF I COULD MOVE ABOUT THE GEARS BUT ONCE THE CAR WAS ON THE PEDAL WOULD NOT GO DOWN ALL THE WAY AND I COULD NOT GET IT INTO GEAR. THERE HAS BEEN ZERO SLIPPING OR GRINDING OF THE GEARS AND I HAVE LESS THAN 30,000 MILES. I AM CURRENTLY AWAITING IF MY WARRANTY WILL COVER THIS ISSUE. FROM WHAT I HAVE SEEN ONLINE THE PRESSURE PLATE HAS BEEN CRACKED OUT WARPED SO I PLAN TO FIGHT TO HAVE THIS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. TO THINK THAT A CLUTCH WOULD GO OUT IN 2.5 YEARS AND UNDER 30,000 MILES IF CRAZY BUT WHEN I SPOKE WITH FIAT DEALERSHIP HE MADE IT SEEM THAT THEY SEE IT ALL THE TIME AND CUSTOMER CARE AT FIRST SAID THEY HAVE SEEN IT MULTIPLE TIMES....UPDATED 7/19/16*BF

NHTSA ODI 10807644

THE TRANSMISSION NEARLY FELL APART WHILE MEGING ON THE FREEWAY. I NOW NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION ON A CAR WITH 46,000 MILES ON IT.

NHTSA ODI 10789750

MY STEERING SHAFT HAS BEEN MAKING NOISE SINCE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED, THE PART HAS BEEN ON BACK ORDER EVERY TIME THE CAR HAS BEEN IN FOR SERVICE. IT'S BEEN A YEAR, SINCE I'VE HAD A CLUNKING STEERING SHAFT, AND THEY ASSURED ME IT WILL BE FIXED.... BUT THE PART IS ON BACK ORDER... THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THESE CARS IT SEEMS.

NHTSA ODI 10788049

CLUTCH FAILURE IN TRAFFIC AFTER LEAVING A STOP LIGHT. NO PRIOR WARNING/SIGNS THAT THE CLUTCH WOULD FAIL (IE. NO SLIPPING). CAR STARTED IN FIRST JUST FINE, WENT TO SHIFT INTO SECOND AND THE CLUTCH WOULD NOT DISENGAGE. THE PEDAL WAS COMPLETELY STIFF AND WAS UNABLE TO BE PRESSED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I THEN DRIFTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO STOP, THANKFULLY I WAS NOT GOING AT A HIGHER SPEED OTHERWISE THIS PROBLEM COULD HAVE POTENTIALLY CAUSED A WRECK. AT THIS POINT IN TIME I TRIED TO SHIFT MY CAR INTO GEAR (WITH THE CAR OFF), BUT THE CLUTCH WOULDN'T EVEN ALLOW ANY GEARS TO ENGAGE. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY HOME, AND THEN FIAT HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER OF MY CHOICE (I STILL HAD TO PAY FOR THE FIAT TOWING). I AM CURRENTLY PENDING A CALL FROM THE DEALERSHIP TO DIAGNOSE + FIX MY CAR, WHICH WILL MOST LIKELY HAVE TO BE PAYED OUT OF POCKET. THIS IS MOST LIKELY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT, AS HAS BEEN STATED IN NUMEROUS OTHER CLUTCH FAILURE REPORTS FOR THIS YEAR'S MAKE.

NHTSA ODI 10787653

I WAS DRIVING DOWN A BUSY THOROUGHFARE AT AROUND 30 MPH WHEN MY CLUTCH SUDDENLY STIFFENED UP AND BECAME IMPOSSIBLE TO ENGAGE. I TRIED IN VAIN TO SHIFT OUT OF THIRD GEAR AS I NEARED A STOPLIGHT, BUT THE GEAR STICK WOULDN'T BUDGE AND THE CAR ENDED UP STALLING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I MANAGED AFTER A MINUTE TO YANK THE STICK INTO NEUTRAL AND COAST DOWN A SMALL HILL INTO AN EMPTY PARKING SPACE. IN THE END, IT WAS A DEAD CLUTCH AFTER ONLY 30,000 MILES. THIS COULD HAVE EASILY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT HAD IT OCCURRED ON THE FREEWAY OR IN A BUSY INTERSECTION.

NHTSA ODI 10786897

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.

NHTSA ODI 10786950

BALL-JOINT BROKE OFF COMPLETELY CAUSING DAMAGE TO TIRES AND FRONT WHEEL WELL PANEL. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 36K MILES AND TIRES ARE ROTATED AT EVERY OIL CHANGE. 10/4/15 RUST SPOTS ON BACK HATCH PANEL (REPORTED OVER A YEAR AGO, HAS BEEN RETURNED 2 TIMES AND THEY ARE FIGHTING ME ON THE 3 RETURN)

NHTSA ODI 10786283

MY 2012 FIAT500C HAD CLUTCH/PRESSURE PLATE FAILURE A FEW WEEKS AGO. I GOT INTO MY CAR TO RUN SOME ERRANDS AND IT STARTED FINE ALTHOUGH I DID FEEL THE CLUTCH WAS A BIT STIFF. I GOT UP TO 3RD GEAR AND DROVE 2 BLOCKS TOWARD THE INTERSECTION. AS I TRIED TO SHIFT THE GEAR TO NEUTRAL AT THE RED LIGHT I COULD NOT CHANGE GEARS. LUCKILY I PRESSED DOWN HARD ENOUGH PRESSING ON THE BREAKS AND MANAGED TO BRING THE GEAR TO NEUTRAL. I PUT MY HAZARD LIGHTS ON AND MANAGED TO ROLL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED MY FIAT SERVICE CENTER AND TOLD THEM WHAT HAD HAPPENED. THEY INSTRUCTED ME TO CALL THE COMPLIMENTARY TOW SERVICE. I GOT A CALL ON MONDAY MORNING SAYING THAT THE PRESSURE PLATE AND CLUTCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND IT WOULD COST ~$1000. I ASKED THE SERVICE ADVISOR WHY IT WASN'T COVERED BY THE WARRANTY AND HE SAID THAT IT WAS CONSIDERED A WEAR AND TEAR ISSUE. IN OTHER WORDS, IT WAS MY FAULT THE CLUTCH FAILED AT 32,000 MILES. I CONTACTED FIATCARES AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD LOOK INTO IT. THEIR REPLY WAS THAT THE CAR NEEDED A NEW PRESSURE PLATE AND NEW CLUTCH AND THAT THE TECHNICIAN DID NOT BELIEVE THAT THIS WAS CAUSED BY A DEFECT ON THE MANUFACTURER'S PART AND THEREFORE THEY WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR. NO CLUTCH SHOULD WEAR OUT WITHIN 3 YEARS AND ~30K MILES WHEN IT HAS HAD ONLY ONE DRIVER WITH EXPERIENCE IN DRIVING A MANUAL TRANSMISSION VEHICLE. IT IS QUITE CLEAR FROM PUBLIC ACCOUNTS THAT 2012 FIAT 500'S EXHIBIT PREMATURE CLUTCH WEAR PROBLEMS. IN ADDITION TO THE CLUTCH ISSUE, I'VE ENCOUNTERED PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR ALMOST FROM THE VERY BEGINNING, WHEN IT ONLY HAD A FEW HUNDRED MILES ON IT. I'VE HAD NUMEROUS FALSE-START ISSUES WITH THE IGNITION, I'VE EVEN HAD A INCIDENT WHERE MY ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING! LUCKILY THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING IN THE CITY. IMAGINE HOW DANGEROUS THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN IF I WERE DRIVING 70 MPH ON A HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ODI 10783693