What 394 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Fiat 500 Bev

The contact owns a 2012 Fiat 500. The contact stated while her daughter was parked in a parking lot with the vehicle in park(P), the contact was attempting to enter the front passenger’s side seat, her daughter accidentally shifted her foot off the brake pedal and the vehicle rolled backwards. The contact stated that the passenger’s side door struck her at less than 2 MPH and knocked her back and she fell onto the parking lot floor. The contact’s daughter had the vehicle turned on and attempted to stop the vehicle; however, when she exited the vehicle to help her mom up off the parking lot floor, the vehicle rolled backwards again while the gear shifter was still in park(P). The contact stated that her daughter turned the vehicle off and the vehicle stopped rolling backwards. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to restart and was pushed into a parking space. The contact stated that she was transported by ambulance to the emergency room. The Police was on the scene and filed a report. The contact stated that she had not broken any bones, however she had severely bruised her coccyx bone. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer. The vehicle had not been diagnosed and was not repaired. The contact had received a recall letter from the manufacturer for NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V817000 (Power Train). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

NHTSA ODI 11521740

As reported by numerous consumers the power steering just stop working while driving with no warnings. This caused a wreck involving my son & I and we're admitted to hospital. Apparently this is a widely reported problem yet it has not attention. It's extremely dangerous and cost more to fix than what the car is worth.

NHTSA ODI 11513202

In the morning (6AM) of September 19, my car car caught on fire while parked in my driveway. There were flames 3-4 feet height coming from the engine hood area. Once the fire was extinguished by the local fire department, I found the car was extensively damaged in the front outside and inside driver cabin. Upon further inspection I found the fire might have started with or around the battery, as it was completely melted. Further inspection on the back side of the car showed some stripped wiring in the assembly connecting to the rear hatch mechanism, lights, and other. In the days previous to this incident the battery had loss its charge completely twice in the span of a week and a half.

NHTSA ODI 11488743

WAS IN A CRASH AND THE CAR WAS TOTALED. NOT 1 AIR BAG DEPLOYED.HAPPENRD ON DEC. 9, 2020.

NHTSA ODI 11385650

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A SECOND VEHICLE. DURING THE CRASH THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED BOTH LEG INJURIES AND A INJURED NECK DURING THE CRASH THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE NOT TOWED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AT THE SCENE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER FIAT OF MELBOURNE LOCATED AT 300 E NASA BLVD, MELBOURNE, FL 32901 AND EXAMINED BY A MANUFACTURERS ENGINEER WHO DETERMINED NO FAILURE HAD OCCURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ODI 11373453

MY WIFE WAS EXITING A MALL PARKING LOT TO PULL INTO THE LEFT TURN LANE OF THE ADJOINING ROAD (A VERY SHORT DISTANCE, PERHAPS 25 FEET). THERE WAS A CAR ALREADY IN THE LEFT TURN LANE, WHICH WAS WAITING FOR THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL TO CHANGE. WHILE PULLING IN BEHIND THIS CAR, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE CAR SUDDENLY AND RAPIDLY ACCELERATED. PRESSING HARDER ON THE BRAKE HAD NO EFFECT. WITH ONLY 1 OR 2 SECONDS TO REACT, A FUTILE ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO STEER CLEAR OF THE CAR AHEAD, WHICH WAS STRUCK. THE FIAT THEN VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND HIT A SECOND CAR THAT HAD BEEN WAITING FOR THE LIGHT IN THE RIGHT LANE. THE SECOND CAR WAS PUSHED INTO A VEHICLE AHEAD OF IT WHICH HAD ALSO BEEN WAITING FOR THE LIGHT. AFTER STRIKING THIS SECOND VEHICLE, THE FIAT FINALLY CAME TO A HALT IN THE RIGHT LANE.

NHTSA ODI 11362893

I AM A REAL ESTATE AGENT. LAST YEAR 2019 I WENT TO AN OPEN HOUSE AND PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY WHICH WAS ON AN INCLINE - WITH A PLATEAU FOR PARKING. I'VE BEEN DRIVING A STANDARD TRANSMISSION FOR 30 YEARS. WHEN I PARK I PLACE MY GEAR IN 1ST WITH THE PARKING BRAKE FULLY ENGAGED. I PARKED THE CAR, WENT INTO THE HOME TO VIEW THE HOME, AND WAS INSIDE 15 MINUTES. WHEN I WENT BACK TO MY CAR, IT WAS GONE. THE CAR HAD ROLLED BACKWARD DOWN THE HILL AND INTO A GUARDRAIL. THERE WERE NEIGHBORS ALL AROUND MY CAR, AND ONE MAN SAID, "IT MAKES NO SENSE IT THE PARKING BREAK IS ENGAGED." THE NEIGHBORS HAD VIDEO OF THE CRASH. THE CAR WAS PARKED APPROX 10 MINUTES BEFORE ROLLING DOWN THE HILL. MY CAR WAS DAMAGED BY THE GUARD RAIL, AND THANKFULLY NO HUMANS WERE HURT. HAD THE GUARDRAIL NOT BEEN THERE -- THE CAR WOULD HAVE GONE OVER A RAVINE AND INTO A HOME.

NHTSA ODI 11320717

TL* THE CONTACT OWED A 2012 FIAT 500.THE CONTACT STATED WHILE IN STANDSTILL TRAFFIC, ANOTHER VEHICLE DRIVING AT 45 MPH REAR ENDED THE CONTACT, CAUSING HIS VEHICLE TO PUSH FORWARD AND CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE CRASH AN ERROR MESSAGE ON THE DASHBOARD "FAULTY AIR BAGS" DISPLAYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK AND SHOULDER INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDIAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT (NCC# 9650) WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AS OF YET. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000. *DT*JB

NHTSA ODI 11240474

WHILE DRIVING CAR LOST POWER AND SMOKE BEGAN COMING OUT FROM UNDER HOOD. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. CAR WAS PULLED TO SIDE OF INTERSTATE. IMMEDIATELY GOT OUT AND LOOKED UNDER HOOD TO SEE FLAMES AND SMOKE. CALLED 911 REPORT THE FIRE, DISPATCH SAID FIRE AND POLICE WOULD ARRIVE SOON. CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD FOR A SECOND TIME, THERE WAS CONSIDERABLE MORE FIRE AND SMOKE. PROCEEDED TO GATHER PURSE AND BAG FROM THE BACKSEAT. APPROXIMATELY 4 MINUTES HAD ELAPSED. BY THIS TIME THE CAR IS COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. I MOVED APPROXIMATELY 300 FEET AWAY IN FEAR THE CAR MAY EXPLODE. ANOTHER 4-5 MINUTES PASSED WHEN POLICE ARRIVED AND AN ADDITIONAL 6-7 MORE MINUTES FOR THE FIREFIGHTERS TO RESPOND. AS FOR PERSONAL SAFETY, DRIVING HAD APPROXIMATELY 4 MINUTES TO ESCAPE VEHICLE FROM CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARING TO THE ENTIRE BE COMPLETELY ENCOMPASSED WITH FLAMES. DRIVER ESCAPED UNHARMED, BUT WAS INCREDIBLY SHAKEN BY THE SCARY EVENTS THAT UNFOLDED IN SUCH A RAPID PERIOD OF TIME. CAR WAS NOT ABLE TO BE SAVED.

NHTSA ODI 11193108

ON NOVEMBER 20, 2018, I HAD AN ACCIDENT WITH MY FIAT 500 SPORT (IMAGES AND VIDEO ATTACHED). I HAVE CONTACTED FIAT IN BRAZIL, USA, EUROPE AND THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, SO THAT THEY COULD FIND OUT WHAT HAS HAPPENED, SINCE THE AIR BAG WILL NOT WORK IN MY VEHICLE. I HAVE COMPLETE VIDEO. I HAVE NOT HAD ANY ANSWER, FIAT BRASIL SAYS THAT IT IS NOT THEIRS, EUROPE AND THE USA WILL NOT ANSWER ANYTHING, THAT IS, AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE THEY ARE OPTIMAL, BUT THE ATTENTION TO THE CLIENT AND THE POST SALE, DISAPPOINTING TO SAY NOTHING WORST. *DSY

NHTSA ODI 11166733

"MANUAL TRANSAXLE CLUTCH PEDAL" THERE IS AN ONGOING RECALL THAT SINCE MAY 2016 HOWEVER PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE DEALER FINALLY INFORMED US PART WAS AVAILABLE AND SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT FOR 5/9/2017 AT 9AM. CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN TO APPOINTMENT WHEN CLUTCH FAILED TO DISENGAGE RESULTING IN CAR REARENDING CAR INFRONT OF IT AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 50 TO 60 MPH.

NHTSA ODI 10985468

TAKATA RECALL - CHRYSLER OWNS FIAT AND I HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY AIR BAGS ON A 2012 FIAT. I WAS IN A SMALL FENDER BENDER. ALL AIR BAGS OPENED BUT ALL THE FRONT AIR BAGS RUPTURED. NO ONE ELSE WAS IN THE CAR WITH ME BUT THE SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT DID NOT KICK IN. ALL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. I HAD INJURIES WHICH WERE A FRACTURED ELBOW, DISLOCATED MY ARM IN TWO PLACES. SINCE THEN I AM HAVING TROUBLE WITH MY SHOULDER, NECK, HEADACHES, AND MY BACK. I AM GOING TO THE DOCTORS AND PHYSICAL THERAPY. PLEASE GET BACK TO ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AS I AM GOING TO HIRE AN ATTORNEY TO SEE WHAT CAN BE DONE. MY INSURANCE COMPANY CONSIDER IT A TOTAL LOSS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10945714

PARKED MY 2012 FIAT 500 IN OUR OUTDOOR PARKING SPACE. I OPENED MY DRIVER SEAT DOOR AND GOT OUT SHUT MY DOOR AND TURN TO GO. I THAN HEARD A LOUD POP/ BANG AND TURN TO SEE MY AIR BAGS SIDE CURTAIN AND SEAT AIR BAG HAD DEPLOYED. MY GIRLFRIEND WAS IN PASSENGER SEAT WHEN THEY DEPLOYED. THE CAR WAS PARKED AND IGNITION/ ENGINE WAS OFF WITH KEYS OUT. THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THE DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAGS. I WAS NOT INJURED BUT MY GIRLFRIEND HAS HEARING ISSUES. WE HAVE HAD NO HELP FROM THE FIAT DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA ODI 10915150

TAKATA RECALL? TRAVELING ON A POORLY DESIGNED NEW TOLLWAY HEADING TOWARD AN EXIT RAMP DECELERATING FROM THE 70 MPH SPEED LIMIT, THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED AND IMPACTED A RETAINING WALL. THE DRIVER, PASSENGER, AND LOWER CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO PASSENGER IN THE CAR. THE DRIVER WAS STRUCK IN THE UPPER RIGHT CHEST WITH SOMETHING THAT SLICED THROUGH THE FLEECE LINED RAIN JACKET WORN, AND WHATEVER IT WAS WAS SO HOT THAT IT MELTED THE EDGES OF THE CUT MATERIAL. THE DRIVER ALSO SUSTAINED EXTENSIVE DEEP BRUISING IN THE LOCATION OF THE STRIKE. HAD THE DRIVER NOT BEEN WEARING THE JACKET, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS DAMAGE TO THE FLESH BEYOND BRUISING, AND HAD THE STRIKE HAPPENED SLIGHTLY HIGHER, INJURIES LEADING TO DEATH COULD HAVE OCCURRED. THERE IS NO PUBLISHED INFORMATION STATING THAT THE AIRBAGS IN THIS VEHICLE ARE TAKATA, BUT THE DAMAGE AND INJURIES RESULTING FROM THE DEPLOYMENT SUGGEST THAT THEY ARE. THE DRIVER WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE. ALL INJURIES WERE SEATBELT AND AIR BAG RELATED. THE DRIVER'S CORNEAS ARE ALSO SEVERELY ABRADED DUE TO PATICULATE MATERIAL PROJECTED DURING THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT.

NHTSA ODI 10897101

STOPPED AT BANK TO WITHDRAW SOME CASH AND THE ALTERNATOR STARTED ON FIRE! HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MECHANIC TO REPAIR .

NHTSA ODI 10888319

I HAVE HAD TO GET MY STARTER REPLACED AND SHORTLY AFTER MY CLUTCH LOCKED UP ON ME .. I AM UNABLE TO DRIVE MY CAR

NHTSA ODI 10882887

AT 47,500 MILES AND 4 YEARS, 9 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP, MY PASSENGER SIDE LOWER FRONT BALL JOINT BROKE. THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF PROBLEMS LEADING UP TO THE BREAKAGE. UNFORTUNATELY FIAT NO LONGER MAKES THE 2012 LOWER FRONT BALL JOINTS AND THE 2013+ BALL JOINTS REQUIRE A NEW ASSEMBLY SO THE ENTIRE BALL JOINT, CONTROL ARM, ETC. ASSEMBLY HAS TO BE CREATED.

NHTSA ODI 10874631

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT WAS STOPPED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A WHIPLASH THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,500.

NHTSA ODI 10744765

MY 2012 FIAT 500 VEHICLE WAS MOVING @ 55MPH ON CRUISE CONTROL WHEN IT EXPERIENCED A CRASH WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT PULLED ACROSS ITS PATH. THE FIAT STRUCK OTHER THE VEHICLE BROADSIDE NEAR THE REAR OF THE OTHER VEHICLE WITH RIGHT HALF OF FRONT OF FIAT. FIAT THEN PITCHED TO THE RIGHT AND THEN ROLLED (SIDE TO ROOF) TWICE LANDING FINALLY ON ITS WHEELS. AS THE DRIVER, I ASSURE YOU I FEEL LUCKY TO BE ALIVE. HOWEVER, NOT EVEN ONE SINGLE AIRBAG IN THE FIAT DEPLOYED --- NOT THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG, NOT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG, NOT THE SIDE AIR BAGS, NOT THE REAR HEAD AIR BAG AND NOT THE SIDE HEAD CURTAIN AIR BAGS. THERE HAVE NEVER BEEN ANY AIR BAG WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THIS FIAT. THIS FIAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN SERVICED AT A FCA/CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP. THERE HAS NEVER BEEN ANY MENTION OF ANY AIR BAG PROBLEMS BY ANY OF THE SERVICE PERSONNEL WHO HAVE SERVICED THE VEHICLE DURING ANY OF THE SERVICE VISITS. PART OF MY DECISION TO BUY THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE INSTEAD OF ANOTHER COMPACT CAR WAS THE VEHICLES ABUNDANCE OF AIR BAGS AND 4 AND 5 STAR OVERALL, FRONTAL, SIDE AND ROLLOVER CRASH RATINGS. IF THE AIRBAGS DO NOT DEPLOY ON THESE VEHICLES, I DO NOT THINK THE SAFETY RATING CAN BE CONSIDERED CORRECT. .UPDATED 07/21/15 *BF UPDATED 9/22/2015 *JS

NHTSA ODI 10734436

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. AFTER BEING INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON CRASH, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT ENDURED A SHOULDER INJURY AND THE PASSENGER SUFFERED A NECK INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OR NOT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A COLLISION CENTER AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI 10716219

WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND THE CAR LOST POWER. ALL LIGHTS ON INDICATOR DASH WENT OFF. NO STEERING ABILITY AND LITTLE/NO CONTROL OF VEHICLE. FAILURE RESULTED IN A CRASH. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS SIDE IMPACT TO BOTH SIDES AND FRONT END IMPACT. THE CAR WAS TOTALED.

NHTSA ODI 10715879

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT END OF THE CONTACT'S. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT'S PROSTHETIC ARM HAD TO BE REPLACED AND A ROTATOR CUFF WAS TORN, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE DETAILS OF THE REPAIRS WERE UNKNOWN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.

NHTSA ODI 10633640

THIS OCCURRED ABOUT 6 TIMES ALREADY. WHEN MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF AND COASTS UNTIL YOU STOP TO SHUT IT OFF AND TURN BACK ON. THE BATTERY AND OIL PRESSURE LIGHTS COME ON DURING THE COASTING. CAME VERY CLOSE TO BEING HIT TWICE DUE TO THIS PROBLEM, BUT THE DEALER SAY THEY HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10629299

I'M A POLICE OFFICER THAT INVESTIGATED A CRASH INVOLVING A FORD F150 P/U TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 35-40 MPH; REAR ENDING, STRAIGHT ON, A 2012 FIAT 500C THAT WAS STOPPED WAITING TO MAKE A TURN. UPON IMPACT BOTH FRONT SEATS IN THE FIAT COMPLETELY RECLINED AND TWISTED OUTWARD TO THE EXTENT THE SEATS COULD NOT RETURN TO THE UPRIGHT POSITION. THE OUTWARD SIDES OF THE SEAT BACKS WERE WEDGE AGAINST THE "B" PILLAR. LEG INJURIES WOULD HAVE BEEN LIKELY IF THERE WERE BACK SEAT PASSENGERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10575417

I OWN A 2012 FIAT POP THAT I PURCHASED NEW ABOUT A YEAR AGO. ONE THING THAT DID NOT GO AWAY AND WAS EVER PRESENT AT ANY TIME WAS THE LIMP MODE FOR THE ENGINE OVER THE LAST FEW DAYS. RECYCLING DID NOT WORK TO CORRECT PROBLEM AND GAUGES WERE OUT. THE INDICATOR LIGHT ON PANEL SHOWED IN LIMP MODE WHEN IT WORKED. GAUGES KEPT GOING ON AND OFF SOMETIMES FOR SHORT PERIODS AND OTHER TIMES FOR LONGER PERIODS. ON 6/10/13 MY VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE IN THE DASHBOARD. I WAS TRAVELING BACK FROM THE STORE IN LIMP MODE HOPING IT WOULD GO OUT BUT NEVER DID.I PARKED THE CAR IN FRONT OF MY DEVELOPMENT POOL AND WENT TO VISIT MY EMPLOYEE THERE. WITHIN ABOUT 5 MINUTES OR SO SHE SAID THAT MY LIGHTS WERE FLASHING. I CHECKED AND WENT TO THE VEHICLE. IT WAS ENGULFED WITH SMOKE AND A NASTY ELECTRICAL SMELL. FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME. I WAS TOLD THAT I HAD TO WAIT FOR THE FIRE INSPECTOR TO COME AND EXAMINE MY VEHICLE. HE CAME. BEGAN TEARING MY DASHBOARD APART TO FIND THE CAUSE OR SOURCE OF THE FIRE. IT WAS DETERMINED BY HIS KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE THAT THE BODY CONTROL UNIT HAD FAILED AND CAUSED THE FIRE. VEHICLE IS TOTALED. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY ABOUT 4000 MILES ON IT. EARLIER THAT DAY BEFORE THE INCIDENT I HAD CALLED THE LOCAL FIAT DEALER. EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM OF THE GAUGES NOT WORKING, AND LIMP MODE, I ASKED IF IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE AND HE SAID YES. AT THIS POINT I MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE LOOKED AT HOPEFULLY THAT DAY. ONLY OPENING WAS NEXT DAY AT 2PM. I HAVE FILED AN INSURANCE CLAIM AND THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TOWED AWAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10516179