2012 Fiat 500
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2012 Fiat 500, covering power train and service brakes, hydraulic, and 299 consumer complaints received since 2011.
The component named most often is power train: 391.7 of every 1,000 component mentions for this year, above the 110.4 per 1,000 across all 2012 model-year vehicles and against 367 per 1,000 for the Fiat 500 line as a whole.
That is more than the average of 64.1 complaints per model year across the 9 Fiat 500 model years on this register; 15 complaints reported a crash and 3 a fire.
Complaints were received in the largest number in 2016 (100); the most recent in the file is dated 6 May 2019.
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation has opened 1 investigation naming this model year.
Complaints are consumer reports and have not been verified by NHTSA. Recall text is the manufacturer's Part 573 report as filed with NHTSA. Complaint file through 15 May 2019; recall file through 29 Sep 2026.
Recalls by model year:
Recall campaigns
- 19V817000POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFTReported 15 Nov 2019 · 51,788 units
Defect, as filed: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Filed by Chrysler (FCA US LLC) (manufacturer campaign VB4); components: power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:floor shift; power train:automatic transmission.
Defect, as filed: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Filed by Chrysler (FCA US LLC) (manufacturer campaign S34).
Defect, as filed: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Filed by CHRYSLER GROUP LLC (manufacturer campaign L39).
Each entry links to the NHTSA record. NHTSA states that safety recall repairs are free of charge at an authorised dealer; check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Component mentions per 1,000 for the 2012 Fiat 500 (black) against all 2012 model-year vehicles in the file (yellow). A complaint can name more than one component.
| Per 1,000 component mentions | 2012 | 500 line | All 2012 vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 391.7 | 367 | 110.4 |
| Electrical System | 119.2 | 126.1 | 134.9 |
| Engine | 99.8 | 107.4 | 127.7 |
| Air Bags | 56 | 44.9 | 113 |
| Unknown or Other | 43.8 | 61.2 | 60.4 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 38.9 | 30 | 39.5 |
| Component | Mentions | Per 1,000 | Line | All 2012 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 161 | 391.7 | 367 | 110.4 |
| Electrical System | 49 | 119.2 | 126.1 | 134.9 |
| Engine | 41 | 99.8 | 107.4 | 127.7 |
| Air Bags | 23 | 56 | 44.9 | 113 |
| Unknown or Other | 18 | 43.8 | 61.2 | 60.4 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 16 | 38.9 | 30 | 39.5 |
| Steering | 15 | 36.5 | 32.5 | 96.7 |
| Suspension | 14 | 34.1 | 23.7 | 17.8 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 11 | 26.8 | 32.5 | 39.1 |
| Service Brakes | 9 | 21.9 | 25 | 55.5 |
| Structure | 7 | 17 | 30 | 43 |
| Exterior Lighting | 7 | 17 | 23.7 | 24.5 |
| Wheels | 7 | 17 | 17.5 | 13.2 |
| Seats | 6 | 14.6 | 11.2 | 9.3 |
| Visibility | 6 | 14.6 | 8.7 | 11.3 |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | 6 | 14.6 | 17.5 | 24.2 |
| Seat Belts | 5 | 12.2 | 10 | 14.2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 3 | 7.3 | 3.7 | 6.2 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 2 | 4.9 | 3.7 | 9.3 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 2 | 4.9 | 6.2 | 18.7 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | 2.4 | 1.2 | 5 |
| Tires | 1 | 2.4 | 8.7 | 8.9 |
| Equipment | 1 | 2.4 | 3.7 | 3 |
299 unique complaints, 411 component mentions; 13 injuries and 0 deaths reported by complainants. Complaint narratives are not republished.
Complaints by year received
Investigations
| Action | Type | Subject | Component | Opened | Closed | Recall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EA19001 | Engineering analysis | Electrical overstress | air bags: air bag/restraint control module | 19 Apr 2019 | 19 Sep 2024 | 20V024 |
Other Fiat 500 model years
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints | Units in campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 NHTSA | 0 | 1 | — |
| 2012 | 3 | 299 | 91,313 |
| 2013 | 3 | 101 | 94,824 |
| 2014 | 3 | 110 | 55,711 |
| 2015 | 3 | 54 | 55,711 |
| 2016 | 3 | 8 | 51,892 |
| 2017 NHTSA | 1 | 3 | 12,675 |
| 2018 NHTSA | 1 | 1 | 12,675 |
| 2019 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 12,675 |
Model years with a single campaign and fewer than 25 complaints have no page here; the NHTSA link opens the agency's record for that year.
All Fiat 500 model years · Fiat: 11 model lines
Questions and answers
How many recalls does the 2012 Fiat 500 have?
3 NHTSA recall campaigns name this model year; the most recent, 19V817000, was reported to NHTSA on 15 Nov 2019 and concerns power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:floor shift. Across all model years the Fiat 500 line has 6 campaigns.
Is there an open NHTSA investigation into the 2012 Fiat 500?
NHTSA's investigation file lists 1 action naming this model year; the table above shows each action's opening and closing dates. An action with no closing date was still open when the file was produced.
What component do owners of the 2012 Fiat 500 complain about most?
Power Train: 161 of 411 component mentions (391.7 per 1,000). Next is electrical system with 49. Complaints are consumer reports and have not been verified by NHTSA.
How do I get a recall repaired?
NHTSA states that safety recall repairs are performed free of charge by the manufacturer's authorised dealers. Each campaign's remedy text above is the manufacturer's statement as filed with NHTSA. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
Where does this data come from?
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation recall, complaint and investigation flat files, public domain, downloaded 29 Sep 2026. Complaint counts are unique complaint numbers per make, model and model year; component figures count each component a complaint names. The NHTSA record linked from each campaign is authoritative.
Provenance
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Office of Defects Investigation flat files (recalls, complaints, investigations), public domain, files dated 29 Sep 2026 (recalls) and 15 May 2019 (complaints). Complaints since 1 Jan 1995. Counts are unique complaint numbers per make, model and model year; per-1,000 rates divide a component's mentions by all mentions for the same group. Errors in processing are corrected at the next daily build; see corrections and the methodology.