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2012 Fiat 500 recalls, complaints and safety ratings

There are 3 US recalls for the 2012 Fiat 500, and 6 in Canada. Owners filed 396 complaints with NHTSA, most often about power train. Its best NHTSA overall crash rating is 3 stars.

3US recalls
0urgent recalls
396owner complaints
3★overall crash rating

Is your car affected?

Check by VIN to confirm the exact model and see every recall for it.

Recalls are issued for a make, model and model year. Whether the repair has already been done on one specific car is known only to its manufacturer and dealers. Check your vehicle's official status at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with a dealer.

US recalls (3)

Power train: automatic transmission, lever and linkage

2019-11-15 · campaign 19V817000 · 51,788 vehicles

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Fiat 500 vehicles equipped with 6-speed automatic transmissions. The shifter cable bushing may fail allowing the cable to detach from the transmission.

Risk and remedy

Risk: 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.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter cable adjuster, free of charge. The recall began January 9, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is VB4.

Power train: manual transmission

2016-05-16 · campaign 16V302000 · 39,185 vehicles

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2012-2016 Fiat 500 vehicles manufactured June 21, 2010, through January 12, 2016, equipped with a manual transmission. The clutch diaphragm spring may fracture and fail, causing an inability to switch gears.

Risk and remedy

Risk: 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.

Remedy: The remedy for this recall will include the installation of a clutch pedal limiter and a clutch pedal switch. The recall began on November 10, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S34.

Service brakes, hydraulic: fluid

2011-11-10 · campaign 11V550000 · 340 vehicles

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 DODGE JOURNEY AND FIAT 500 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 24, 2011, THROUGH OCTOBER 26, 2011. SOME VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH CONTAMINATED BRAKE FLUID AND MAY EXPERIENCE A DEGRADATION OF THE SEALING COMPONENTS WITHIN THE BRAKE SYSTEM.

Risk and remedy

Risk: THIS COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE ALL BRAKE COMPONENTS THAT COME IN CONTACT WITH HYDRAULIC BRAKE FLUID. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 1, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Canadian recalls (6)

Show 6 Canadian recalls

Label

2024-08-15 · campaign 2024-548

Issue: On certain vehicles, the tire and loading information label does not list that there is no spare tire in both official languages. The label reads as "NONE" when it should read as "NONE / AUCUN". Canadian regulations require the information to be listed on the label in both English and French. Safety Risk: This error does not affect vehicle safety. Corrective Actions: This is not a recall. The company has corrected the tire and loading information label for all new vehicles.

Powertrain

2019-11-15 · campaign 2019-577

Issue: On certain vehicles equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission, the shifter cable may detach. This could cause the transmission not to shift gears when the shifter is moved. If a driver attempts to exit the car while it is not in the Park position, and the parking brake is not applied, the car could move suddenly. Safety Risk: Sudden and unexpected movement of the car could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: The company will notify owners by mail and instruct them to take their vehicle to a dealer to install a new transmission shift cable adjuster.

Powertrain

2016-05-12 · campaign 2016-217

On certain vehicles equipped with a manual transmission, clutch diaphragm springs may crack or become damaged, which could result in the driver being unable to shift gears, or potentially result in a loss of motive power. Depending on traffic conditions and the driver’s reactions, these issues could increase the risk of a crash. Correction: Dealers will install a pedal travel limiter and pedal switch.

Lights and instruments

2015-12-04 · campaign 2015-578

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) Canada is conducting a voluntary Customer Satisfaction Notification Program involving certain vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) will update the Powertrain Control Module software to improve activation timing of the backup lamps. This updated software will turn the backup lamps on earlier, indicating to other road users that the driver has selected reverse gear. This action is not being conducted under the requirements of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act.

Brakes

2011-11-14 · campaign 2011-400 · 40 vehicles

Certain vehicles may have had their brake system inadvertently filled with contaminated brake fluid during vehicle assembly. This could damage certain brake components, which could increase stopping distance, and result in a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will replace all brake components that come in contact with hydraulic brake fluid.

Label

2011-08-23 · campaign 2011-315

On certain vehicles, the compliance label indicates the vehicle type in the unilingual text "PASSENGER CAR" instead of using text in both official languages, or using the bilingual abbreviation "PC/VT". Correction: No corrective recall action is required as the technical non-compliance is deemed to be non-safety related.

Owner complaints (396)

Owners filed 396 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Fiat 500 (21 crashes, 4 fires, 17 injuries reported). Among 8 model years of this model, it ranks #1 for the most complaints (median 92).

Most-reported problemComplaints
Power train201
Electrical system63
Engine51
Unknown or other36
Air bags32
Suspension21
Steering19
Fuel/propulsion system19

Crash test ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2012 Fiat 500.

VersionOverallFrontalSideRollover
2012 Fiat 500 3 HB FWD Early Release3★4★2★4★
2012 Fiat 500 3 HB FWD Later Release3★4★3★4★

Fuel economy

EPA ratings for each 2012 Fiat 500 version.

VersionCity MPGHighway MPGCombinedYearly fuel cost
500 1.4 L Automatic 6-spd273329$2,850
500 1.4 L Manual 5-spd303732$2,550
500 Abarth 1.4 L Manual 5-spd283330$2,750
500 Cabrio 1.4 L Automatic 6-spd273229$2,850
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Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings, US EPA fuel economy and Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database (contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada). Recalls updated 2026-10-30.