CarModelProblems.com

2012 Fiat 500 Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Power Train — runs 5.8× the fleet median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.
394Complaints
4Recalls
21Crashes
4Fires
17Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Power Train (49% of complaints) — is covered by 3 NHTSA recall campaigns.

Power Train complaints here are 5.8× the median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Power Train193 · 49%RecalledRecall 19E044000 · Recall 16V302000 · Recall 19V817000
Electrical System55 · 14%not available
Engine51 · 12.9%not available
Air Bags32 · 8.1%not available
Suspension21 · 5.3%not available
Steering19 · 4.8%not available

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

POWER TRAIN193 · 49%
ENGINE51 · 12.9%
Unspecified / other35 · 8.9%
AIR BAGS32 · 8.1%
SUSPENSION21 · 5.3%
STEERING19 · 4.8%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM19 · 4.8%
SERVICE BRAKES12 · 3%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL12 · 3%

Percentages are the share of the 394 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 4 campaigns

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:fluid

NHTSA campaign 11V550000 · 2011 · reported 11/10/2011

THIS COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Power Train:manual Transmission:floor Shift Assembly

NHTSA campaign 19E044000 · 2019 · reported 07/03/2019

If the shifter breaks while the vehicle is in motion, it can increase the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Power Train:manual Transmission

NHTSA campaign 16V302000 · 2016 · reported 05/16/2016

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift

NHTSA campaign 19V817000 · 2019 · reported 11/15/2019

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“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…”NHTSA complaint 10807644 — filed 11/30/2015 · POWER TRAIN
“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 complaint 10789750 — filed 11/11/2015 · POWER TRAIN
“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…”NHTSA complaint 10787653 — filed 11/02/2015 · POWER TRAIN

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

12201228502014621282016663520185145202017122022892024512026

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Fiat 500?

Power train issues are the most-reported category, cited in 193 of 394 NHTSA complaints (49%), followed by electrical system (55), engine (51), unspecified/other issues (35). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2012 Fiat 500 have?

394 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 21 involved a crash, 4 involved a fire, and 17 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2012 Fiat 500 have any recalls?

Yes — 4 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 11V550000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2012 Fiat 500's reported problems?

Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.