2012 FIAT 500 Problems
Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2012 Fiat 500. This model year has 393 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Transmission / Drivetrain.
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This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.
Worst 2012 Fiat 500 Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Transmission / Drivetrain
Electrical Faults
Engine Problems
Considering a 2012 Fiat 500?
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2012 Fiat 500. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 199 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 63 | 3 | 3 | — | |
| Engine Problems | 53 | 1 | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 35 | 2 | 2 | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 32 | 13 | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 21 | 1 | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 19 | 3 | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 19 | — | — | — | |
| Brake System | 13 | 1 | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 12 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 12 | 2 | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 9 | 2 | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 8 | 1 | — | — | |
| Visibility | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 6 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 6 | 1 | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Child Seat | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2012 Fiat 500. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Showing 393 most recent complaints
I have been dealing with identity theft and not really sure why when I put vin number to my vehicle I purchased September 25 2025 it says a different color
The vehicle had been stalling out on numerous occasions one being a freezing Xmas eve in Drive thru if it had happened somewhere isolated the driver could have frozen. I rented cars several times and replaced the alternator ,battery and at the final point at the dealership the me…
The contact owns a 2012 Fiat 500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal clunking sound coming from underneath the front of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mec…
The wiring harness bundle leading to the trunk failed between the trunk & upper drivers side of the car. Upper brake lights stopped working, then rear defroster, then trunk wouldn’t open & I got a license plate light warning on the dash. Mechanic tried to replace switch, still di…
The contact owns a 2012 Fiat 500. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to exit the highway. The …
Front Wheel hub bearings grinding, very fast wear and tear Transmission still not shifting right after recall shifter cable replaced not grabbing gears
The contact owns a 2012 Fiat 500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V302000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair…
The contact owns a 2012 Fiat 500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V302000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall …
The contact owns a 2012 Fiat 500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the clutch pedal briefly depressed to the floor and remained stuck before releasing. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warn…
The clutch is out in the car. This may be caused by the clutch cover diaphragm spring and results in the inability to disengage the clutch, shift gears, and loss of mode of power. Leaving the passengers in a situation that can cause wreck without warning. My clutch went without…
The contact's daughter owns a 2012 Fiat 500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V302000 (Power Train) which was linked to the failure. The dealer had bee…
The contact owns a Cybex Car Seat, Model Name: Aton 2, Manufactured Date: Aug 2019. The car seat was used in a 2012 Fiat 500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23C001000 (Child Seat). The contact reached out to the manufacturer to have a replacement seat…
The contact owns a 2012 Fiat 500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V302000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the clutch assembly. The vehicl…
The contact owns a 2012 Fiat 500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V302000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and determined that parts were not yet available. The contact stat…
I just purchased this 2012 Fiat 500 Cabrio. It seems it is widespread issue on the failure of the guiderails and components that work the convertible top are of poor quality and the tops become inoperable and the cost to repair can exceed the value of the vehicle. The safety issu…
The contact owns a 2012 Fiat 500. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle, and the transmission failed to shift gear properly and lost motive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to push t…
My 2012 Fiat 500 has had the same problem twice now. While driving, the clip attaching the clutch pedal to the master cylinder assembly breaks and disconnects. The pedal will go to the floor and stay there, and it becomes impossible to shift the manual transmission. After replaci…
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 rol…
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…
The contact owns a 2012 Fiat 500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the clutch was squishy while shifting gears. The dealer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V302000 (Power Train) however…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2012 Fiat 500.
Recalls for 2012 Fiat 500
4 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2012 Fiat 500. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
2012 Fiat 500 — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2012 Fiat 500 reliable?▾
Severe Issues. The 2012 Fiat 500 has 393 NHTSA owner complaints, 21 crash-related, and 4 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Transmission / Drivetrain (199 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Fiat 500?▾
#1: Transmission / Drivetrain (199 complaints). #2: Electrical Faults (63 complaints). #3: Engine Problems (53 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2012 Fiat 500?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2012 Fiat 500?▾
The 2012 Fiat 500 has 21 crash-related complaints and 4 fire reports out of 393 total NHTSA complaints. 17 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2012 Fiat 500 have any recalls?▾
Yes — 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2012 Fiat 500. The largest issue: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
Should I buy a 2012 Fiat 500?▾
The 2012 Fiat 500 has severe issues — review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Transmission / Drivetrain issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Fiat 500 reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Check Your Specific 2012 Fiat 500
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.