Fiat · 500 · 2012
2012 Fiat 500
4
Recalls
393
Complaints
3/5
Safety Rating
The 2012 Fiat 500 has 4 recalls and 393 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 3 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: power train (161 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
Research Context
The 2012 Fiat 500 page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is power train with 161 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to see whether the 2012 Fiat 500 reports cluster around one repeated symptom or spread across multiple systems.
- Review the recall section even if the total is smaller, because a limited number of recalls can still point to meaningful safety actions.
- This page is primarily a complaints-and-recalls research surface, so compare nearby model years before treating the complaint total as a standalone verdict.
Key Takeaways
- The 2012 Fiat 500 currently shows 4 NHTSA recalls listed on this page and 393 owner-reported complaints.
- This page currently shows no linked NHTSA investigations.
- This page reflects complaint volume, recall history, and NHTSA test data, but it does not diagnose causes or rank reliability by itself.
- Safety data currently shows 3/5 overall NHTSA safety rating.
- The most frequently reported complaint categories on this page are power train (161), electrical system (23), air bags (19).
- Vehicle
- 2012 Fiat 500
- Recalls
- 4
- Complaints
- 393
- Safety Rating
- 3/5
How to Interpret This Page
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
NHTSA Crash Test Performance
Frontal Crash Test
Side Crash Test
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
14.5% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
ESC: StandardForward Collision Warning: NoLane Departure Warning: No
Recall Notices
NHTSANHTSA ID: 19V817000November 15, 2019
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT
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.
Remedy Status
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.
NHTSA ID: 19E044000July 03, 2019
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:FLOOR SHIFT ASSEMBLY
DLT, LLC. is recalling certain CravenSpeed Fiat Short Shifter shafts sold for use in 2011-2019 Fiat 500 vehicles. The Shifter Shaft may have been improperly manufactured with a through hole for the set screw rather than a blind hole, which may lead to the breakage of the Shifter Shaft.
Remedy Status
DLT has notified owners, and will provide a complete replacement shifter assembly with an updated shaft, free of charge. The recall began July 24, 2019. Owners may contact DLT customer service at 1-503-505-6886.
NHTSA ID: 16V302000May 16, 2016
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
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.
Remedy Status
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.
NHTSA ID: 11V550000November 10, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID
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.
Remedy Status
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.
Owner Complaints
393 totalWHEELS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Oct 8, 2025
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
SUSPENSION
Feb 6, 2025
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...
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POWER TRAIN
Aug 16, 2024
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 ...
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POWER TRAIN
Aug 9, 2024
Front Wheel hub bearings grinding, very fast wear and tear Transmission still not shifting right after recall shifter cable replaced not grabbing gears
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Jun 1, 2024
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...
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POWER TRAIN
Apr 23, 2024
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 ...
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POWER TRAIN
Apr 1, 2024
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...
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POWER TRAIN
Mar 14, 2024
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...
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CHILD SEAT
Jan 9, 2024
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...
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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Dec 24, 2023
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...
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Showing 10 recent complaints from 393 total
View Full Complaint LogCompare Related Vehicles
Why Compare These Pages
The strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2012 Fiat models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
More Fiat 500 Years
2013 Fiat 500Compare this year against 2012 for complaint and recall shifts.4r163c2011 Fiat 500Compare this year against 2012 for complaint and recall shifts.1r1c2014 Fiat 500Compare this year against 2012 for complaint and recall shifts.4r124c2015 Fiat 500Compare this year against 2012 for complaint and recall shifts.4r92c2016 Fiat 500Compare this year against 2012 for complaint and recall shifts.4r14c2017 Fiat 500Compare this year against 2012 for complaint and recall shifts.2r13c
Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2012 Fiat 500 have?
The 2012 Fiat 500 has 4 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2012 Fiat 500?
NHTSA has received 393 owner-reported complaints for the 2012 Fiat 500.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2012 Fiat 500?
The 2012 Fiat 500 received an overall safety rating of 3 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Fiat 500?
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2012 Fiat 500 are power train (161 reports), electrical system (23 reports), air bags (19 reports).
Does the 2012 Fiat 500 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA has 4 recalls on record for the 2012 Fiat 500. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.