Home · 2012 Fiat 500 Cabrio · Complaints

What 392 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Fiat 500 Cabrio

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (392)Crash / fire / injury (27)Transmission & drivetrain (199)Electrical system (63)Engine (51)Airbags (32)Fuel system (23)Suspension (21)Steering (19)Brakes (13)Lights (12)Speed control (12)

51 of 392 complaints match · Engine · clear filters · page 1 of 3

Aug 25, 2022SuspensionEngine

I've had 3 different issues with the transmission- There's been 1 recall on the clutch- The transmission put me in Great danger I was driving on the freeway about 60 mph when the car just popped into neutral- I was terrified and I managed to pull to safety to put the manual transmission into gear- I didn't want it to happen again- I had to hold the gear until I got to an exit to get off the freeway- I had the Fiat towed to the dealership and fixed- then 6 months later driving again and it jumps out of gear into Neutral another scare- I put it in the shop and it cost me $4646,00 to replace the transmission, I really would like this serious safety hazzard investigated so no one gets hurt- I was Blessed to be able to think fast to save my life on a busy Highway my safety and others was put at risk because it could have caused a crash- It gives no warning at all- car is available upon request I have all receipts I can send -for some reason I was unable to download to this Site

NHTSA ODI 11481114

Apr 29, 2022Electrical systemEngine

I bought this car about a year ago, ever since I got the car the first issue started within a month it just started to shut off for no reason first at a traffic light, afterward while I was driving called the dealership who sold me the car I was told to bring it to find out they did not have a certified Fiat Mechanic that would be able to look at the car so it was towed to another dealership. I was told they fixed the issue but once again the vehicle started doing the same thing even more frequently fast forward my car has yet to be fixed I feel like I am going to get rear-ended and hurt really bad and all I get from the dealership is that they can't fix it. My question to them is why I sell me a car that you knew you could not repair or you knew you really didn't check properly as per your words you don't have a certified mechanic.

NHTSA ODI 11462760

Dec 22, 2020Engine

JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE THAT OWNS A 2012 IT WON'T HOLD OIL PRESSURE

NHTSA ODI 11384496

Aug 17, 2020Electrical systemEngine

THE STARTER MOTOR FAILS TO ENGAGE AT RANDOM TIMES. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND TO LOCAL MECHANICS AND NONE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO REPLICATE THE ISSUE. THE STARTER MOTOR WILL SOMETIMES START RIGHT UP FOR THEM, CAUSING THEM TO RULE OUT A FAULTY STARTER. IF THE VEHICLE IS LEFT OVER NIGHT, IT MAY START RIGHT BACK UP. AFTER SELLING THE CAR ON 2 OCCASIONS, BOTH NEW OWNERS REPORTED WITHIN 24 HOURS OF OWNERSHIP THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AFTER HAVING DRIVEN IT FOR MORE THAN 10MI. I BELIEVE FCA IS WELL-AWARE OF THIS RELATIVELY COMMON ISSUE. A GOOGLE SEARCH FOR THIS PROBLEM YIELDS PAGES UPON PAGES OF OWNERS REPORTING SIMILAR ISSUES. I CAN SHARE YOUTUBE VIDEOS OF OWNER'S EITHER REPORTING THE PROBLEM OR COMMENTS OF OTHERS HAVING A SIMILAR ISSUE HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=L7SOEZKWUT4 HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=PFFVY3ARSVS

NHTSA ODI 11349768

Jul 16, 2020Transmission & drivetrainElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

WHILE DRIVING HOME VIA LOCAL CITY SURFACE STREETS, THE GEARBOX FAIL LIGHT AND THE HAVE TRANSMISSION CHECKED MESSAGE CAME UP ON THE DASH CLUSTER. I DROVE THE CAR 4 MORE MILES TO A SERVICE STATION, STOPPING TWICE ON THE WAY. THE CAR BEGAN RUNNING POORLY. INCLUDING BUCKING, REVVING HIGH, WHILE STAYING AT LOW SPEED, STALLING AND BUCKING AT LIGHTS LOW IDLE OR STOPS. THE SERVICE STATION SAID OTHER THAN A LOW NUMBER (4 TIMES PER 1000 I THINK...A CYLINDER MISFIRE) NO CODES CAME UP. WHEN RESET THE CAR WOULD RUN BRIEFLY AS NORMAL BUTAT FIRST STOP ALL ISSUES WOULD RESUME IN FULL AGAIN. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR HOME (2 BLOCKS) BUT WAS NOT SURE IT WOULD MAKE IT. IT SITS IN MY PARKING SPOT AS WE SPEAK.

NHTSA ODI 11339746

Mar 12, 2020Engine

WE'VE REPLACED THE SHIFTER CABLE ON THE FIAT TWICE ON OUR OWN. RECENTLY, FIAT REPLACED IT UNDER RECALL NO. 19V817000. FIAT'S REPLACEMENT CABLE/BUSHING LASTED THREE SHIFTS. SHIFTED INTO DRIVE TO LEAVE THE DEALERSHIP. SHIFTED INTO PARK AT HOME. SHIFTED INTO DRIVE ON NEXT USE AND THE CABLE WAS DETACHED. FIAT'S SOLUTION IS NOT AN IMPROVEMENT. COMPARING THE REPLACEMENT BUSHING WITH THE OLD BUSHING, THERE ISN'T ANY DIFFERENCE THAT WILL PREVENT THIS ISSUE. THIS IS A DANGEROUS ISSUE. THE FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED WE WERE STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET FROM REVERSING OUT OF A PARKING SPORT AND THE CABLE BUSHING FAILING WHEN WE WENT TO PUT IT IN DRIVE. THE REPAID UNDER 19V817000 IS NOT A CORRECTIVE REPAIR.

NHTSA ODI 11317681

Mar 12, 2020Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine

CAR SOMETIMES CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING WITH NO WARNING. ALL GUAGES SPIKE, CAR CUTS OFF. I PULL OVER AND IT STARTS BACK UP. NO CODES WERE STORED. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI 11317810

Sep 30, 2019Transmission & drivetrainElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

OIL PRESURE LIGHT COMES ON SAYING STOP TURN ENGINE OFF LOW IOL PRESSURE AFTER I DRIVE IT FOR ABOUT 10 MINS I GUESS AFTER IT GET HOT. THEN CHEXK ENGINE LIGGT COMES WITH IT. OTHER PEOPLE HAS AND ARE GOING THREW THE SAME THING WITH 2012 FIAT 509 SPORTS. ITS ALL OVER THE YOU TUBE WHY IS THIS HAPPING. I REPLACE OIL PRESURE SENSOR AND CHANGED MY OIL SAME THING IT DIDNT CHANGE ANYTHING ASKING FOR A RECALL ON THE OIL PUM OR WHAT IS CAUSING THIS. PLUS IT MAKEA A SOUND AFTER DRIVING AT THE SAME TIME IT SHOWS UP WHILE PUSHING GAS PEDAL

NHTSA ODI 11265211

Aug 2, 2019Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAM SHAFT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, PISTON NUMBER ONE WAS NOT COMPRESSING. THE TECHNICIAN REMOVED THE VALVE COVER AND NOTICED THAT THE RELIEF OF THE ELEVATE STICK, WHERE PISTON NUMBER ONE WAS LOCATED, FRACTURED THE EXHAUST VALVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,372.

NHTSA ODI 11241295

May 25, 2019Engine

I BOUGHT THE CAR 2 YEARS AGO AND DRIVEN IT WITHOUT ANY ISSUES UNTIL A FEW MONTHS AGO WHEN THE LOW OIL PRESSURE LIGHT SHOWED. BEING IN TRAFFIC AND IN THE RAIN, I DID DRIVE MY CAR HOME. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL MECHANIC THE NEXT DAY WHO CHANGED THE LOW OIL PRESSURE SENSOR AND CHANGED THE OIL AND IT LOOKED LIKE THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY. BUT AFTER A FEW WEEKS IT APPEARED AGAIN. I TRIED TO RESEARCH THE PROBLEM ON THE NET AND MOST POSTS I FOUND INDICATED THAT THE ENTIRE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR HAS 65000 MILES, SEEMS LIKE AN UNFAIR PROBLEM TO HAVE FOR SUCH A YOUNG ENGINE. THE PROBLEM OCCURRS ONLY AT IDLE. SINCE I DRIVE THE CAR VERY LITTLE AND IN NO TRAFFIC I DECIDED TO CONTINUE DRIVING IT AND LOOK OUT FOR THE LIGHT AND TURN OFF THE ENGINE WHEN IT COMES ON. BUT ONE DAY MY CAR DID NOT START SO I TOWED IT TO MY MECHANIC WHICH FOUND THE STARTER HAD SOME CORRODED BOLTS (?) WHICH HE CLEANED AND THE CAR RUNS FINE NOW. BUT HE WARNED ME THAT THE OIL PRESSURE PROBLEM IS ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE AND THAT AT SOME POINT I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. I TRIED TO FIGURE OUT WHY THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED IN THE FIRST PLACE BY TRYING TO FIND ANY SENSIBLE INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET. IT SEEMS LIKE THERE IS QUITE A FEW OWNERS OUT THERE THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT DID NOT FIND ANY ANSWERS ON WHAT IS THE CAUSE OF IT. I FOUND THIS INFORMATION ON A RECALL REGARDING THE STARTER: CSN N15 STARTER MOTOR MOUNTING BOLTS 2012 (FF) FIAT 500 THE STARTER MOTOR MOUNTING BOLTS ON ABOUT 3K OF VEHICLES MAY NOT GROUND THE STARTER MOTOR TO THE TRANSAXLE CASE PROPERLY. THIS COULD CAUSE THE ELECTRICAL ENERGY FROM THE STARTER MOTOR DURING CRANKING TO TAKE AN ALTERNATE PATH TO GROUND ACROSS THE ENGINE CRANKSHAFT BEARINGS. MY CAR IS NOT RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM. BUT IS IT STILL POSSIBLE THAT MY CAR WAS AFFECTED BY THE SAME PROBLEM? AND IF YES, WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DAMAGES THAT RESULT FORM IT?

NHTSA ODI 11209959

Apr 19, 2019Transmission & drivetrainEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT SMELLED CARBON MONOXIDE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED, BUT WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE FAILURES OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. ALSO, THE ENGINE AND BATTERY WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CLUTCH WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURES RECURRED. AN UNKNOWN LOCAL DEALER DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE TRANSMISSION HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11197323

Mar 14, 2019Transmission & drivetrainEngine

CAR HAS OIL LEAK FROM ENGINE MAIN SEAL.ISSUE ADVICED TO DEALER UPON SALE,MECHANICS DENIED UNTIL 3RD PARTY ESTIMATE.THEN DEALER SAID TO HAVE FIXED IT UNTIL ONCE AGAIN THE ISSUE CAME UP--SERVICE DONE FOR MAINTENANCE KEPT. DEALERSHIP SOLD. NEW OWNERS OF DEALERS FOUND SAME PROBLEM. NEW WARRANTY DENIED CLAIMS AND SAID IT WAS A PREX CONDITION THAT WAS NOT TAKEN CARE. CAR CONTINUES TO LEAK OIL AND ISSUE IS NOW ON MY BILL AS RESPONSIBILITY. ISSUE IS A FIAT BRAND FOR THE YEAR 2012 AND SHOULD BE FIAT RESPONISBILILITY TO MONITOR AND RECALL CARS WITH THESE ISSUES TO FIX.FIAT TOO NEEDS TO MONITOR DEALERSHIPS THAT SELL USED CARS WITH PROBLEMS THEY DENY TO SERVICE PRIOR TO SELLING AND AWARE OF THE ISSUE BEFORE IT WAS SOLD ALONG WITH A RECALL THAT HAD NOT BEEN SERVICED PRIOR TO THE SALE AND OLD MANAGER/PRIOR TO SALE OF BUSINESS DID NOT TAKE CARE OF ALTHOUGH AWARE IT WAS IN PLACE..

NHTSA ODI 11186790

Feb 4, 2019Engine

AN ISSUE INVOLVING THE STARTER MOTOR BOLTS NOT BEING GROUNDED. CAUSED INTERMITTENT STARTING. THIS ISSUE IS A KNOWN ISSUE FOR FIAT UNDER THE FOLLOWING: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION NOTIFICATION N15 STARTER MOTOR MOUNTING BOLTS 2012 (FF) FIAT 500 NOTE: THIS NOTIFICATION APPLIES ONLY TO THE ABOVE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A MANUAL TRANSAXLE (SALES CODE DDF) BUILT FROM MARCH 15, 2011 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2011 (MDH 031500 THROUGH 063023). '' HOWEVER, IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER MY CAR...BUT IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM...I SEE OTHER FIAT OWNERS REPORTING THIS ISSUE...BUT THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL...THIS CAUSED ME TO MISS APPROX 2 DAYS OF WORK...PAY FOR A TOW TRUCK...AND SEND TO A DEALER TO FIX AT A COST OF 280 DOLLARS FOR A KNOWN ISSUE BY FIAT....

NHTSA ODI 11173913

Jan 9, 2019Electrical systemAirbagsEngine

CONCERNS THAT VEHICLE S34 RECALL HAS NEVER BEEN COMPLETE VEHICLE IS NOW FOR SALE AT A CAR DEALERSHIP NO PAPER TRAIL ON THE RECALL.

NHTSA ODI 11165962

Sep 8, 2018WheelsSeatsEngine

I CAR WARNING LIGHTS STARTED COMING ON AND STAYING ON ALL THE TIME. I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND WAS ADVISED I NEEDED A NEW MOTOR. THE CAR IS CONSTANTLY STALLING, CUTTING OFF ALL THE TIME, BEARLY RESTARTING AND ONLY ABLE TO DRIVE LESS THAN 25 MPH. THIS IS THE PROBLEM EVERY TIME I START IT UP.

NHTSA ODI 11128207

Nov 3, 2017Engine

2012 FIAT POP, 14,693 MILES. I AM THE SECOND OWNER. DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND A MESSAGE ADVISING THAT I SHOULD PULL OVER BECAUSE THERE WAS LOW OIL, THE OIL LIGHT WARNING CAME ON. DROVE CAR TO DEALER AT 1820 SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD, SANTA MONICA FIAT. THEY DIAGNOSED CODE P1068 WHICH THEY ADVISED IS A "CYLINDER 2 OIL SUPPLY SELONOID OUT OF RANGE." AL AT THE DEALER ADVISED THAT IT WOULD TAKE 5 - 6 HOURS TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM, AND HE DIDN'T WANT TO SPEND THE TIME TO DO IT. HE FURTHER ADVISED THAT HE HEARD A NOISE (WHICH I COULD NOT HEAR) AND THAT THE CODE AND NOISE COMBINED INDICATES THAT THE CAR NEEDS A NEW CRANK SHAFT AND THAT METAL SHAVINGS FROM BEARING FAILURE COULD CAUSE OIL PUMP STRESS AND DAMAGE TO OIL PUMP, WHICH WOULD COST $4,016.90 PLUS TAX. I DECLINED THE REPAIRS BECAUSE AL'S ADVICE WAS BASED ON HIM HEARING A NOISE, AND NOT BASED ON DIAGNOSIS BY A HANDS-ON MECHANIC. THE ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ON. AL, AT THE FIAT DEALER, WILL NOT TAKE FURTHER STEPS TO RULE OUT OTHER (LESS EXPENSIVE) REASONS THE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON (E.G., FAILED GAS CAP, ETC.). "HEARING A NOISE" IS NOT GROUNDS TO MAKE A $4,000+ REPAIR ON A CAR WITH MERELY 14,000+ MILES. THE ENGINE LIGHT COMBINED WITH FIAT'S LACK OF CARE TO FIX THE PROBLEM COULD BE A ROAD HAZARD. WHEN I COMPLAINED TO AL THAT HE HAD NOT ACTUALLY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM, BUT RATHER "GUESSED" THAT THE CAR NEEDED A NEW CRANK SHAFT, HE DECIDED NOT TO CHARGE ME. HE SAID, "YOU'RE RIGHT, WE DIDN'T DO THE WORK TO MAKE SURE YOU NEED IT." HE ADMITTED IT WAS A GUESS, AND NOTED THAT HE "WOULD NOT KNOW FOR SURE TILL THE VEHICLE HAS GONE THROUGH A TEAR DOWN." I AM NERVOUS WITH THE ENGINE LIGHT ON, AND NO TRUE DIAGNOSIS FROM FIAT (IT COULD BE ANYTHING FROM A GAS CAP PROBLEM TO A FAILED ENGINE).

NHTSA ODI 11043129

Oct 25, 2017Transmission & drivetrainEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS OR WHILE PARKED, THE CHECK TRANSMISSION, CHECK ENGINE, AND ESC WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FIRST TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE VEHICLE FELT SLUGGISH WHILE DRIVING AND AN UNKNOWN ODOR WAS DETECTED IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND NO FAILURE CODES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RON LEWIS CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM FIAT CRANBERRY (21145 US-19, CRANBERRY TWP, PA 16066 (724) 452-4040), BUT THE FAILURE STILL COULD NOT BE DETERMINED OR DUPLICATED. THE THIRD TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSIS STILL COULD NOT BE MADE; HOWEVER, FOUR SPARK PLUGS AND THE NUMBER ONE COIL WERE CHANGED BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE STILL OCCURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 26,000.

NHTSA ODI 11039591

Sep 26, 2017Transmission & drivetrainEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500 BEING HAULED BY A 2006 DODGE SPRINTER 2500. WHILE THE FIAT WAS BEING TOWED, THE GEAR INDEPENDENTLY SHIFTED FROM NEUTRAL INTO DRIVE. THE FAILURE CAUSED SUBSTANTIAL ENGINE DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN, BUT THE CONTACT WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V302000 (POWER TRAIN). THE DEALER (SCHMELZ COUNTRYSIDE FIAT, 1178 MN-36, MAPLEWOOD, MN 55109, (651) 484-8441) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND WAS INSPECTING THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE, AFFECTING THE ENGINE ASSOCIATED WITH THE POWER TRAIN FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER TO BE SERVICED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,433. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. *BF CONSUMER STATED THE FAULTY DID NOT ALLOW THE TRANSMISSION TO DISENGAGE. UPDATED 7/20/18*JB *TR

NHTSA ODI 11029899

Sep 19, 2017Transmission & drivetrainElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

I CALLED FIAT 800-992-1997 I ASKED ABOUT THE RECALL ON MY VEHICLE FOR THE 100TH TIME THEY TOLD ME THAT I WOULD NEED TO TAKE MY VIN # [XXX] IN FOR A DIAGNOSTIC BEFORE I COULD GET THE RECALL FIXED FOR MY CLUTCH I TOLD FIAT I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY FOR A DIAGNOSTIC AND I WOULD HAVE TO SAVE UP SO IT WILL TAKE ANOTHER YEAR FOR ME TO HAVE THE RECALL COMPLETE SO I WILL JUST KEEP MY CAR HERE AT HOME AN CHOOSE NOT TO DRIVE IT I WILL RENT CARS INSTEAD ALSO THE CAR CAN NOT BE BOUGHT TRANSFERRED OR SOLD WITH OUT THE COMPLETED RECALL! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI 11024140

Aug 17, 2017Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A KNOCKING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (FIAT OF FREEMONT IN FREEMONT, CA) WHO WAS UNABLE DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NORMANDIN FIAT IN SAN JOSE WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE WAS FAULTY DUE TO A FAILING MAIN BEARING AND A CRANKSHAFT FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000.

NHTSA ODI 11016007

Jun 19, 2017Speed controlBrakesEngine

HI, I HAVE HAD SEVERAL ISSUES WITH MY CAR WHICH HAVE HAD SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO FIX. SAFETY CONCERNS REGARDING THE CRUISE CONTROL LOCKING UP ON MY VEHICLE, CONVERTIBLE TOP STILL NOT ADJUSTING AND BLOCKING LINE OF SIGHT IN THE BACK SO YOU CANNOT SEE WHAT IS BEHIND YOU WHILE DRIVING, AND START UP ISSUES WITH CAR NOT ALWAYS STARTING UP CORRECTLY, HAVING MISFIRES. THE CAR HAS ONLY BEEN WORKED ON THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AT THE FIAT OF VAN NUYS, CA. THE CAR HAS BEEN WORKED ON SEVERAL TIMES SINCE I FIRST PURCHASED IT BACK IN JAN OF 2013. I AM SEEKING OUT ANY HELP NECESSARY AS I HAVE HAD THESE SAFETY CONCERNS SINCE I FIRST GOT THE CAR TO NOW AND I AM FEEL VERY UNSAFE WITH THE WORK THAT HAS BEEN DONE AS WELL AS MY OWN SAFETY AS WELL AS OTHERS. THANK YOU, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB

NHTSA ODI 10995903

Mar 18, 2017Engine

CAR IS VERY YOUNG, 24, 781 MILES AND TURNED IN BY PRIOR OWNER WITH 22,400'S MILES. AFTER CAR WAS SOLD WITH A RECALL, IT WAS NOTED IT ALSO SUFFERS FROM OIL LEAKING FROM THE REAR MAIN TRANSMITTION, PER MECHANIC IT AFFECTS BOTH THE TRANSMITION AND THE MOTOR, AND COULD CAUSE DEATH IF CAR RAN OUT OF OIL. LEAK PER SEVERAL INDEPENDENT MECHANICS IS TOO SOON FOR A FIAT WITH SO LITTLE MILES, AND A CAR THAT STILL OWNS THE ORIGINAL TIRES, WIPERS, AND STILL HAS THE SMELL FROM WHEN IT WAS NEW. CAR BY PRIOR OWNER WAS FOR VACATION, BUT CAR NOW LEAKS AND IT SEEMS MANY VEHICLES THIS YEAR MODEL HAVE THE SAME ISSUE PER BLOGS AND FIAT COMPLAINTS BLOGS, UNFORTUNATELY THE DEALER WONT FIX THE PROBLEM AND MECHANICS ARE IN SHOCK CAR WAS SOLD WITH A RECALL AND WHEN IT WAS SERVICED THEY TOO REFUSED TO WORK ON THE SEAL WAITING FOR THE CAR TO GO THROUGH THE BANK FIRST & HOPE FOR A WARRANTY TO PAY FOR THE LABOR AND PART, EVEN AFTER I OFFERED TO PAY FOR THE PART WHILE THEY WERE ALREADY IN THE CAR CHANGING. HOWERVER, THEY FAILED TO INFORM ME ABOUT THE ISSUE, UNTIL I GOT HOME WITH THE CAR. ISSUE IS LIFE THREATENING BY MECHANICS WORDS, AND ALL 4 DIFFERENT SHOPS DEMANDED I EITHER RETURN THE CAR TO THE DEALER OR DEMAND THEY FIX IT BEFORE I WOULD END UP DEAD OR IN AN ACCIDENT ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS ISSUE SHOULD NOT BE PART OF A YOUNG CAR, IT SHOULD NOT BE LEAKING FROM A SEAL, PARTICULARLY THE TRANSMITION MAIN REAR SEAL, WHICH PER MECHANIC IT TOO AFFECTS THE MOTOR AND THE T RANSMISSION ABILITY TO FUNCTION ON A MANUAL VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 10966698

Feb 15, 2017Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine

ON FEB 11TH 2017 I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO A CHYSLER DODGE JEEP DEALER IN SANDY UTAH (LHM) I ASK THEM IF THEY COULD REPAIR MY VEHICLE. THEY SAID YES SO I AUTHORIZED LARRY H MILLER CHYSLER DODGE JEEP TO WORK ON MY VEHILCE. KEN GARFF FIAT REFUSED TO GIVE THE PARTS TO LARRY H MILLER AND BACKED THE DEALERSHIP INTO A CORNER MAKING LARRY H MILLER TAKE THE CAR TO KEN GARFF FIAT AT 198 E 500 S IN SALT LAKE CITY UTAH AND I KNOW FOR FACT KEN GARFF REFUSED TO GIVE LARRY H. MILLER THE PARTS FOR THE VEHILCE BECAUSE KEN GARFF FIAT LIKES TO FORCE EVERYONE TO COME TO THEIR DEALERSHIP WELL KEN GARFF HAD THE VEHILCE TOWED TO THEM AND KEPT THE VEHILCE FROM 12NOON UNTIL 5PM STATING THEY HAD NOT STARTED WORK ON THE VEHILCE AND THEY HAD PLANS TO WORK ON THE VEHILCE OVER NIGHT WHEN THE SHOP WAS CLOSED I TOLD KEN GARFF THEY WILL NOT BE WORKING ON MY VEHILCE OVER NIGHT AND NOT TO TOUCH MY CAR WELL NOW MY CAR IS SETTING ON KEN GARFF LOT WITH NOT ONE PIECE OF PAPERWORK THAT SAYS KEN GARFF CAN TOUCH MY VEHILCE AND IF THEY TRY TO LIE AND SAY THEY DO THEN THEY HAVE FORGED MY SIGNATURE. I HAD MY PLATES REMOVED FROM THE CAR I CONTACTED LARRY H MILLER AND TOLD THEM ON 02/15/2017 THAT I WOULD LIKE FOR THEM TO TAKE THE CAR BACK TO LARRY H MILLER. THE RECALL IS STILL NOT COMPLETE AND KEN GARFF REFUSES TO GIVE THE PROPER PARTS SO ANOTHER CHYSLER DEALERSHIP CAN WORK ON THE VEHILCE ........... I WANT TO NOTE THAT LARRY H MILLER CHYSLER DODGE JEEP IS WONDERFUL AND I AM BEING TREATED WITH RESPECT BY LARRY H. MILLER CHRYSLER DOGE JEEP AND THEIR STAFF....... HOWEVER THE RECALL WORK IS STILL INCOMPLETE BECAUSE KEN GARFF FIAT 198E 500S OF SALT LAKE CITY UTAH WILL NOT GIVE LARRY H MILLER PARTS.

NHTSA ODI 10954632

Jan 15, 2017Transmission & drivetrainEngine

AS OF 01/15/2017 MY 2012 FIAT 500 POP RECALL HAS STILL NOT BEEN FIXED CORRECTLY. I AM CURRENTLY RENTING A VEHICLE FOR TRANSPORTATION. FIAT CHRYSLER HAS NOT PAID ME ONE PENNY TOWARD MY VEHICLE RENTAL. I HAVE RECEIVED RANDOM EMAILS FROM CHRYSLER THE LAST EMAIL WAS DATED JANUARY 13, 2017 SAYING THEY HAD AN UPDATED ON CASE #30818709. WHAT UPDATE COULD THEY HAVE MY VEHICLE RECALL HAS NOT BEEN FIXED IN A TIMELY MANNER. MY VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN FIXED AT ALL. THE TRUTH IS THERE ARE VERY FEW MECHANICS IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA CAPABLE OF FIXING A FIAT BECAUSE OF THE UNIQUE DESIGN MOST MECHANICS DON'T HAVE THE PROPER TRAINING FOR THIS PARTICULAR DESIGN OF VEHICLE NOR DO THEY HAVE THE CORRECT TOOLS THE VEHICLE IS DESIGNED USING A EUROPEAN METRIC SYSTEM IN ORDER TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO SAFETY STANDARDS FIAT MECHANICS NEED THE PROPER TRAINING AND TOOLS! BOTTOM LINE MY RECALL HAS NOT BEEN FIXED!

NHTSA ODI 10945353

Dec 26, 2016Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine

MY CAR [XXX] 2012 FIAT 500 POP 2 DOOR HATCHBACK HAS STILL NOT HAD THE SAFETY RECALL FIXED FIAT CHRYSLER IS IN CONTEMPT OF COURT BECAUSE MY RECALL HAS NOT BEEN FIXED IN A TIMELY MATTER! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI 10937509

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Working with the data? Download all 392 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 24, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2012 Fiat 500 Cabrio verdict →