2012 Fiat 500 Complaint Log

DRIVER-SIDE SIDE MIRROR VIBRATES MAKING THE OBJECTS IN THE MIRROR BLURRY AND THIS IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE. IT IS THE 500C FIAT VIN [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

I OWN A 2012 FIAT POP THAT I PURCHASED NEW ABOUT A YEAR AGO. ONE THING THAT DID NOT GO AWAY AND WAS EVER PRESENT AT ANY TIME WAS THE LIMP MODE FOR THE ENGINE OVER THE LAST FEW DAYS. RECYCLING DID NOT WORK TO CORRECT PROBLEM AND GAUGES WERE OUT. THE INDICATOR LIGHT ON PANEL SHOWED IN LIMP MODE WHEN IT WORKED. GAUGES KEPT GOING ON AND OFF SOMETIMES FOR SHORT PERIODS AND OTHER TIMES FOR LONGER PERIODS. ON 6/10/13 MY VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE IN THE DASHBOARD. I WAS TRAVELING BACK FROM THE STORE IN LIMP MODE HOPING IT WOULD GO OUT BUT NEVER DID.I PARKED THE CAR IN FRONT OF MY DEVELOPMENT POOL AND WENT TO VISIT MY EMPLOYEE THERE. WITHIN ABOUT 5 MINUTES OR SO SHE SAID THAT MY LIGHTS WERE FLASHING. I CHECKED AND WENT TO THE VEHICLE. IT WAS ENGULFED WITH SMOKE AND A NASTY ELECTRICAL SMELL. FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME. I WAS TOLD THAT I HAD TO WAIT FOR THE FIRE INSPECTOR TO COME AND EXAMINE MY VEHICLE. HE CAME. BEGAN TEARING MY DASHBOARD APART TO FIND THE CAUSE OR SOURCE OF THE FIRE. IT WAS DETERMINED BY HIS KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE THAT THE BODY CONTROL UNIT HAD FAILED AND CAUSED THE FIRE. VEHICLE IS TOTALED. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY ABOUT 4000 MILES ON IT. EARLIER THAT DAY BEFORE THE INCIDENT I HAD CALLED THE LOCAL FIAT DEALER. EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM OF THE GAUGES NOT WORKING, AND LIMP MODE, I ASKED IF IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE AND HE SAID YES. AT THIS POINT I MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE LOOKED AT HOPEFULLY THAT DAY. ONLY OPENING WAS NEXT DAY AT 2PM. I HAVE FILED AN INSURANCE CLAIM AND THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TOWED AWAY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500C. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE FRONT FENDER AND THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A MILD CONCUSSION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN USING THE WINDOW SWITCH FOR THE WINDOW TO CLOSE UPWARD, THE WINDOW WOULD INSTEAD OPEN FARTHER AND TRAVEL DOWNWARD. WHEN THE WINDOW WAS ENGAGED TO BE OPENED, THE WINDOW WOULD INSTEAD TRAVEL UPWARD AND CLOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BUILT TO OPERATE IN THE MANNER IN WHICH IT WAS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE TO THE CONTACT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 3,000. *TR

A VEHICLE IN THE RIGHT LANE MADE A U-TURN, CROSSING THE LEFT LANE CAUSING THE FIAT TO T-BONE THE VEHICLE MAKING THE U-TURN. THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN THE FIAT DRIVER AND THE DRIVER CONTACTED THE STEERING WHEEL WITH ENOUGH FORCE TO CAUSE A SIGNIFICANT COMPRESSION INJURY TO THE STERNUM. THE DRIVER WAS TRANSPORTED BY EMS TO A HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DRIVEN AND SUFFERED NEARLY $13,000 DAMAGE. EARLIER IN THE DRIVE, THE FIAT 500 DRIVER HAD TO ROCK FORWARD AT AN ON-RAMP TO RELEASE THE SEAT BELT IN ORDER TO VIEW APPROACHING TRAFFIC VIA THE LEFT OUTSIDE MIRROR. APPARENTLY, THE SEAT BELT DOES NOT OR DID NOT REENGAGE AFTER THIS MOVEMENT LEAVING IT FREE AND THE DRIVER UNRESTRAINED. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT A BURNING PLASTIC ODOR EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO START. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURES RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH PEDAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V302000 (POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

THE STEERING COLUMN, DOWN BY THE FLOOR SUCKED MY FLOOR MAT UP UNDER MY ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDAL. I COULD NOT BRAKE, OR TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. *TR...UPDATED 06/28/13 *BF

I PURCHASED VEHICLE CERTIFIED USED 20 JAN 2013. THE FIRST DAY OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, I NOTICED A STRONG BURNING SMELL INSIDE THE CABIN. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP 8 TIMES AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CANNOT RESOLVE THE ISSUE. I HAVE OPENED A CASE WITH CHRYSLER/ FIAT RESOLUTION TEAM. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE IS HORRIBLE! THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY WERE SENDING AN ENGINEER TO SERVICE THE CAR. AN ENGINEER WAS SUPPOSE TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE THIS WEEK AND THEY NEVER SHOWED UP. THE SERVICE REP AT THE DEALERSHIP RECALLED THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD THE SAME ISSUE BEFORE TRADING IT IN. THAT INFO WAS NOT DISCLOSED TO ME BEFORE PURCHASING. DEALERSHIP WILL NOT TAKE THE CAR BACK OR REPLACE IT, HEADQUARTERS INTERVENTION IS NOT PROACTIVE. THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

I HAD TO REPLACE 10 HUB CAPS FROM 2012 - 2014(86,000). THE PLASTIC THAT HOLD THE RING ON THE HUB CAB KEEP BREAKING WITH JUST A SMALL BUMP. I HAVE BOUGHT 4. FIAT HAS REPLACED 6 SO FAR ON MY CAR AND HAVE LOST NOW 3 MORE AND HAS BEEN ON BACK ORDER FOR 7 MONTHS NOW. FIAT SAID THEY WILL REPLACE THEM AFTER 4 MONTHS OF GRIPING. NOW MY WIFE HAS A 2013 MODEL AND SHE DOESN'T PUT AS MAY MILES AS I DO AND SHE IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. 15" STEAL RIMS WITH HUB CAPS. I HAVE 40 YR AS A FORD MECHANIC AND HAS WORK AS AN SERVICE REP. THIS CO. HAS NO ONE THAT YOU CAN TALK TO ONE ON ONE AND GET ANY ANSWERS. ALL DONE ON PHONE. I HAVE ASKED TO HAVE SOMEONE CALL BUT ONLY CUSTOMER SERVICE. IF YOU LOOK ON THE WEB ALOT OF CUSTOMERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND CAN'T GET THE HUB CAPS TO REPLACE.TO MANY ON BACK ORDER. JUST AT MY DEALER THERE IS OVER 60 ORDERS FOR THE PART. RIGHT NOW I HAVE ONLY 1 HUB CAP ON MY CAR AND LOOKS BAD. *TR

SINCE I PURCHASED MY 2012 FIAT 500 SPORT IN SEPTEMBER OF 2012 I HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE. OCCASIONALLY (ABOUT 4 TIMES A WEEK), THE CAR FAILS TO START. WHEN TURNING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, THE CAR MAKES A NOISE AS IF IT IS GOING TO START BUT WINDS DOWN AND LOSES POWER. I TURN THE KEY BACK, WAIT ABOUT 5 SECONDS AND THE CAR WILL NORMALLY START. THIS HAPPENS ALL YEAR AROUND. I CONTACTED THE HOLT FIAT OF FORT WORTH WHERE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED AND TOOK IT IN TO BE LOOKED AT. THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE ISSUE. IT IS VERY RANDOM BUT HAPPENS VERY OFTEN. *TR

CAR SUDDENLY STOPS RUNNING WHILE JUST DRIVING FORWARD. IGNITION KEY REMAINS IN "ON" POSITION, BUT ALL ACCESSORY/WARNING LIGHTS COME ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES, THE FIRST WHILE CAR HAD 950 MILES ON IT IN OCTOBER 1012. CAR WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT. WHEN I RECEIVED IT BACK I WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAD "CHANGED THE SOFTWARE". THE SECOND TIME THE CAR CEASED RUNNING (5,414 MILES) WHILE BEING DRIVEN FORWARD, I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND RECEIVED IT BACK WITH THE INFORMATION THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. I STOPPED DRIVING THE VEHICLE EXCEPT FOR OCCASIONALLY DRIVING IT AROUND MY QUIET NEIGHBORHOOD TO KEEP THE BATTERY CHARGED UP. ON SEPTEMBER 26, 2015, I DECIDED TO DRIVE THE CAR TO A NEARBY TARGET (APPROX. 1.5 MILES FROM MY HOME). THE CAR DROVE THERE PERFECTLY BUT CEASED RUNNING AS I DROVE TOWARDS HOME. AGAIN I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT FIAT/ALFA ROMEO OF AUSTIN. TODAY FIAT CUSTOMER SERVICE CALLED ME AND SAID THE SERVICE FACILITY WAS NOT ABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR AND WAS RETURNING THE CAR TO ME AGAIN WITHOUT DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIR OF THE PROBLEM. MY CASE NUMBER WITH FIAT CUSTOMER SERVICE IS: 278-579-22. ALL THREE OF THESE VERY FRIGHTENING SUDDEN STALLS OCCURRED ON CITY STREETS. THERE IS NO UNUSUAL NOISE OR WARNING, THE CAR JUST SUDDENLY STOPS RUNNING. I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT AHEAD EACH TIME. THE ENGINE WAS NOT HOT OR WERE THERE ANY UNUSUAL ODORS OR SOUNDS. I TURNED ON MY EMERGENCY FLASHERS, TURNED THE IGNITION KEY TO THE "OFF" POSITION, PUT THE SHIFT LEVER IN "PARK" AND THE CAR IMMEDIATELY STARTED AGAIN AND RAN WITHOUT FURTHER DIFFICULTY. I WAS VERY, VERY LUCKY THAT I WAS NOT HIT FROM BEHIND AS THE LAST TWO INCIDENTS WERE IN BUSY TRAFFIC AREAS. I WILL NOT DRIVE THIS VEHICLE AGAIN.

PERIODICALLY THE STARTER WILL NOT ENGAGE. IT DOES A WHINE AS THOUGH THE STARTER ON THE VEHICLE IS A STARTER THAT IS GOING OUT. I TOOK IT BACK TO BUTLER FIAT IN INDIANAPOLIS, IN ON APRIL 1ST , AS THE PROBLEM BECAME WORSE AND WORSE. THEY REPLACED THE STARTER UNDER WARRANTY BUT IT STARTED DOING THE SAME THING LESS THAN TWO WEEKS AFTER REPLACEMENT. SOMETHING WAS MENTIONED AT THE TIME ABOUT FAULTY BOLT OR A PART IN THE STARTER CAUSING A MALFUNCTION. IF ANYONE HAS EVER HAD A STARTER GO OUT IN A CAR IT IS THE SAME SOUND WHEN THE ROTARY DOES NOT ENGAGE AND YOU HAVE TO MAKE A SECOND ATTEMPT TO START THE CAR. MY VEHICLE STILL HAS LESS THAN 13,000 MILES ON IT AND I NEED THE PROBLEM FIXED. *TR

MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, PROBABLY > 10 TIMES IN PAST TWO MONTHS. AT LOW STEADY SPEED, SUCH AS DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT, WHEN I LET UP ON GAS PEDAL, THE CAR DOES NOT SLOW DOWN IMMEDIATELY. ONE EXPECTS THE IMMEDIATE, SLIGHT FEELING OF DECELERATION ON THE BODY, BUT IT DOESN'T COME RIGHT AWAY. USUALLY IT LASTS ABOUT ONE SECOND. IT HAS LASTED UP TO THREE SECONDS. RECENTLY THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING STEADILY AT 30MPH, I LET UP ON ACCELERATOR ENTERING A 20MPH ZONE, AND CAR DID NOT SLOW DOWN IMMEDIATELY. THIS WAS THE OCCASION IT TOOK 3 SECONDS. I HAVE BEEN PAYING ATTENTION TO THIS ISSUE RECENTLY BECAUSE IT HAPPENS SO MUCH. I HAVE NOT NOTICED THIS PROBLEM AT HIGH SPEED, SUCH AS EXPRESSWAY DRIVING. *TR

THE ESC BUTTON WILL NOT TURN OFF ESC. NORMALLY THIS ISN'T AN ISSUE, BUT WHEN I AM STUCK IN SNOW IT WOULD HELP TO TURN ESC OFF. THE OWNERS MANUAL EVEN SUGGESTS THIS. MY BUTTON WILL NOT DISABLE ESC SOME TIMES. THE BUTTON WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER HAS INSPECTED IT MULTIPLE TIMES. THE "ESC OFF" LIGHT SHOULD ILLUMINATE WHEN IT IS REALLY OFF, BUT THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN. *TR

DASH DISPLAYS TWO MPH - ONE GAUGE AND ONE DIGITAL. WHEN DRIVING AT 50MPH, BOTH DISPLAY 50MPH. WHEN DRIVING ANY SLOWER OR FASTER, THEY DO NOT MATCH. WHEN DRIVING THROUGH A SCHOOL ZONE, THE GAUGE SHOWS 20MPH WHILE THE DIGITAL SHOWS 23MPH. WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, DIGITAL WILL SHOW 65MPH AND GAUGE SHOWS 68-70. THE ONLY TIME THE TWO MATCH IS WHEN I DRIVE A STEADY 50MPH. GAUGE SHOWS SLOWER WHEN DRIVING BELOW 50MPH AND SHOWS FASTER WHEN DRIVING ABOUT 50MPH. *TR

ANYTIME SPORT MODE IS ENGAGED, CAR DOES NOT DECREASE IN SPEED PROPERLY. EVEN WITH BRAKE APPLIED, THE CAR LUNGES FORWARD AS I'M TRYING TO SLOW DOWN. WHEN DRIVING USING SPORT MODE, I HAVE TO STAY VERY FAR AWAY FROM OTHER VEHICLES IN CASE OF SUDDEN BRAKING BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WILL NOT SLOW DOWN PROPERLY. MY HUSBAND DROVE MY CAR IN SPORT MODE NOT KNOWING THAT IT LUNGED FORWARD WHEN BRAKING AND WOUND UP AN INCH AWAY FROM SOMEONE'S BUMPER AFTER ATTEMPTING TO SLOW DOWN FROM A SPEED OF ABOUT 20MPH. THIS IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE FOR THE DRIVER AND OTHER'S AROUND. *TR

AFTER A WEEK OF DRIVING THE CAR, I NOTICED THE TIME ON THE CLOCK WAS 10 MINUTES FAST. I RESET THE CLOCK AND THREE DAYS LATER, IT WAS 2 MINUTES FAST AGAIN. I REPEATEDLY ADJUSTED THE CLOCK EVERY WEEK FOR ABOUT 18 MONTHS. AFTER 8 MONTHS, I DECIDED TO LET IT CONTINUE TO RUN FAST TO SEE IF IT WOULD CONTINUE. ABOUT A MONTH AGO, IT GOT TO THE POINT THAT I HAD TO GO AHEAD AND RESET IT BECAUSE I NEVER REALLY KNEW WHAT TIME T WAS WITHOUT CHECKING MY PHONE. AT THAT POINT, THE CLOCK HAD NOT BEEN RESET FOR 6 MONTHS AND WAS 50 MINUTES FAST. VERY INCONVENIENT FOR THE DRIVER AND CAUSES A DISTRACTION JUST TO CHECK MY PHONE TO MAKE SURE I'M NOT LATE TO WORK OR AN APPOINTMENT. *TR

THE KEY FOB BUTTON IS NOT RECESSED. THIS MEANS THE IGNITION KEY OFTEN OPENS INTO MY POCKET JUST FROM NORMAL BODY MOVEMENT. IT STABS MY THIGH. THIS IS A VEHICLE SAFETY PROBLEM BECAUSE IT HAPPENS WHEN I AM DRIVING MY OTHER VEHICLE AND CAN BE EXTREMELY DISTRACTING. *TR

THIS OCCURRED ABOUT 6 TIMES ALREADY. WHEN MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF AND COASTS UNTIL YOU STOP TO SHUT IT OFF AND TURN BACK ON. THE BATTERY AND OIL PRESSURE LIGHTS COME ON DURING THE COASTING. CAME VERY CLOSE TO BEING HIT TWICE DUE TO THIS PROBLEM, BUT THE DEALER SAY THEY HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHRYSLER FIAT 500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE WOULD INDEPENDENTLY MOVE TO THE FULL MARK AND THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY STALL. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE PLACED IN NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO GET IT TO RESTART. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THEY WOULD NEED TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 8,000.

SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING MY VEHICLE I BEGAN TO HAVE ISSUES WITH A SOFT CLUTCH OR A STUCK CLUTCH. USUALLY WHILE DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS AND ATTEMPTING TO DOWNSHIFT OR COME TO A STOP THE CLUTCH PEDAL WILL LOSE ALL PRESSURE AND EITHER BECOME STUCK TO THE FLOOR OR NOT OPERATE NORMALLY. UPON STOPPING AND PUMPING THE CLUTCH SOME PRESSURE WILL RETURN AND THE CLUTCH WILL OPERATE ABNORMALLY FOR A SHOT TIME BEFORE RETURNING TO NORMAL FEEL. USUALLY THE CLUTCH WILL GET STUCK TO THE FLOOR AND I WILL BE UNABLE TO PULL THE CAR OUT OF GEAR WHILE DRIVING 50+ MPH. THE FLUID LEVEL IN THE MASTER CYLINDER HAS NEVER FALLEN BELOW NORMAL AND 2 SEPARATE DEALERSHIPS HAVE CHECKED IT MULTIPLE TIMES AND SAID THERE WAS NO FAULT TO BE FOUND BUT I EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM ON EITHER A MONTHLY, WEEKLY OR EVEN DAILY BASIS DURING THE WORST EPISODES. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY AT ABOUT 25,000 MILES NOW AND THE PROBLEM REMAINS A CONSTANT ANNOYANCE THAT LEAVES ME FEELING UNSAFE IN OPERATING THE VEHICLE AT TIMES BECAUSE I DO NOT KNOW WHEN OR HOW BAD THE PROBLEM WILL BE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION, HALF OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION, THE ENGINE REVVED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE IGNITION HAD TO BE TURNED TO THE OFF POSITION AND BACK ON IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STARTED IDLE GEAR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE FAILED TO REGISTER THE FUEL RANGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 15. ....UPDATED 08/29/16 *BF

DRIVING AT CITY SPEEDS ~20MPH AT ONLY 12K MILES, CLUTCH PEDAL SUDDENLY BECAME STIFF, AND WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT GEARS. HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP WHERE I WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE CLUTCH HAD FUSED TO THE FLYWHEEL (I DO NOT TRUST THAT THIS WAS AN ACCURATE, COMPLETE DIAGNOSIS). ABOUT 2 YEARS LATER (END OF 07/2014) AND ONLY AROUND 35K MILES, WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE 2 HOURS AWAY FROM HOME ( AT ~65MPH), AND WHEN I EXITED TO GET GAS, THE PEDAL ONCE MORE BECAME INSTANTLY STIFF OUT OF NOWHERE AND WAS NEARLY UNABLE TO GET THE CAR OFF THE ROAD. HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED FROM DEALER TO DEALER UNTIL IT WAS IN MY HOME CITY. THE DEALER THEN AGAIN TOLD ME THAT THE CLUTCH AND FLYWHEEL HAD GONE OUT. *TR

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND DROPPED SPEED QUICKLY, WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE TO THE BATTERY AS THE CAR WAS BRAND NEW. TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK IN FOR REPAIR, AND IT HAS HAPPENED THREE MORE TIMES SINCE THAT OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS. TWO OF THOSE TIMES WERE ALSO ON THE HIGHWAY. THE MOST RECENT WAS LAST MONTH (SEPTEMBER 13, 2014) WHILE MAKING A U-TURN AT A LIGHT IN FRONT OF MOVING TRAFFIC THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF RIGHT AFTER MY TURN. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE AND THE CAR BEHIND ME SAW ME IN TIME TO STOP. *TR

THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES A BAD NOISE WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY VERIFIED THAT IT IS A DEFECTIVE STEERING COLUMN. THEY PUT PART ON ORDER. IT HAS BEEN A MONTH AND STILL NOT IN. I CALLED THE CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS AND THEY SAID THAT THEY WOULD TRY TO EXPEDITE THE PART. I EXPLAINED THAT I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR A MONTH NOW, AND THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY WOULD CANCEL THE ORDER AND RE ORDER IT. WHAT DO I HAVE TO GET IN A CRASH FIRST AND WAIT ANOTHER MONTH? MAYBE HURT NOT ONLY MYSELF, BUT GOD FORBID OTHERS? PLEASE HELP. *TR

MY CAR HAD PROBLEMS SHIFTING GEARS AND THE HIGH COOLANT TEMPERATURE LIGHT WENT ON. THE WARNING SAID STOP AND TURN CAR OFF IMMEDIATELY. I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO STATELINE FIAT WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR. THEY TOPPED OFF THE COOLANT AND SAID THE CAR WAS READY TO BE PICKED UP. I GOT IN THE CAR AND IT STARTED TO SHAKE WHEN I TURNED THE IGNITION. THEY SAID IT WAS A LOOSE CAP AND TIGHTENED IT. I DROVE BACK HOME AND WITHIN 3 MONTHS THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A NEW LOCAL FIAT. OVER THE PAST 2 AND A HALF YEARS, I HAVE HAD TO PULL OFF ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD MULTIPLE TIMES AND HAVE THE CAR TOWED. NO ONE CAN SEEM TO FIND THE EXACT ISSUE WITH THE CAR, BUT THEY KEEP TELLING ME IT IS FIXED. THE BOTTOM LINE IS I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR. I FEEL MY SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF OTHER DRIVERS IS IN JEOPARDY WHEN THIS VEHICLE IS ON THE ROAD. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, SEVERAL UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED BEFORE THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WITH MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. IN ADDITION, WHEN PARKED, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO START AND THE KEY COULD NOT BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE'S SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED, BUT THE REMEDY FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,400.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A KNOCKING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (FIAT OF FREEMONT IN FREEMONT, CA) WHO WAS UNABLE DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NORMANDIN FIAT IN SAN JOSE WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE WAS FAULTY DUE TO A FAILING MAIN BEARING AND A CRANKSHAFT FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000.

LOCKING MECHANISM ON DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED. BUCKLE POPPED OPEN AND CANNOT BE LOCKED. MUST USE PASSENGER SIDE LOCKING MECHANISM IN ORDER TO PROTECT DRIVER. IF TWO PASSENGERS ARE IN THE FRONT SEAT, ONLY ONE CAN BE PROTECTED DUE TO THIS FAILURE. LOCKING MECHANISM APPEARS TO BE JAMMED OR LOCKED UP AND WILL NOT "CLICK" WHEN SEAT BELT TONGUE IS INSERTED PER FACTORY SPECIFICATIONS. THIS IS A DANGEROUS DEFECT AND MANUFACTURER STATES CANNOT FIX UNTIL "PARTS ARE AVAILABLE", ESTIMATED NOVEMBER 2014. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN WATER PENETRATED THE REAR BRAKES, IT CAUSED THE BRAKES TO SEIZE. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000 AND THE CURRENT 18,000.

WHEN I AM DRIVING AND I AM START SLOWING DOWN FOR A LIGHT BEFORE IT GET TO A FULL STOP THE TRANSMISSION DOWN SHIFT TO QUICK THAT MAKES THE CAR JERK, I STOP AND WAIT FOR THE LIGHT TO CHANGE AND IT DOWNSHIFT BY ITSELF, IT FEELS LIKE SOMEBODY IS HITTING YOU ON THE REAR OF THE CAR BUT NOBODY IS THERE .I BROUGHT THE CAR SEVERAL TIMES TO THE DEALER BUT BECAUSE IT DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT. ONE OF THE TIMES THAT I WAS AT THE DEALER IT HAPPENED. I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE, DROVE IT FOR 10 FEET AND THEN SHIFTED TO FORWARD AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING FOR 3 TO 4 SECONDS THEN A JUMP (SHIFTED TO 1ST GEAR) I WAS WITH THE PERSON WHO MAKES THE APPOINTMENTS SO HE TOLD ME TO BRING THE CAR NEXT DAY. NEXT DAY THEY DROVE IT AND THE CAR WOULD SHIFT FINE SO NOTHING WAS FIXED. LAST WEEK, I TOLD THEN TO KEEP THE CAR AND LET THE FOREMAN TO DRIVE IT HOME SO HE WOULD FEEL WHAT IT WAS HAPPENING, HE TOLD ME THAT IT HAPPENED ONCE BUT ON DOWNSHIFT AND THAT COULD BE A COMPUTER PROGRAM AND I HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL FIAT DEVELOP A NEW PROGRAM. THEY TRIED EVERYTHING THAT THEY KNOW AND THE FINAL SOLUTION WAS THE WAY THAT I DRIVE OR THE COMPUTER HAVE TO ADJUST WHEN I CHANGE MY DRIVING FROM THE HIGHWAY TO THE CITY I THING IS A LOT OF BS I DRIVE 120 MILES DAILY TO WORK AND I AM WORRY THAT THE DOWNSHIFT WILL HAPPEN WHEN I AM DRIVING ON HIGHWAY SPEED AND OF COURSE THEY TOLD ME THAT THE DOWNSHIFT WILL NOT HAPPEN ON HIGHER SPEED EVEN THAT THEY SAID THEY DO NOT KNOW WHY I KEEP BRINGING THE CAR WITH THE SAME TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP ME TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE EVEN THE CAR FOLDS ON THE LEMON LAW STILL I HAVE TO MAKES THE PAYMENTS. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

MY FIAT 500 HAS A DEFECTIVE REAR AXLE. THE REAR WHEELS ARE NOT IN ALIGNMENT. THE AXLE IS SOLID AND HAS NO ADJUSTMENT, THEREFORE IT IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THE REAR WHEELS ARE TOED IN EXCESSIVELY WHICH HAS LED TO PREMATURE TIRE WEAR, VIBRATION AND INFERIOR FUEL MILEAGE. THIS IS A COMMON DEFECT ON MANY EARLY 500'S AND THE DEALER REFUSES TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *TR

WITHIN SEVERAL WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE OF FIAT 500 WE ENCOUNTERED A PROBLEM STARTING THE ENGINE. UPON TURNING THE IGNITION KEY THE ENGINE RESPONDED WITH AN ELECTRICAL MOTOR WHINE BUT DID NOT START. AFTER SEVERAL REPEATED ATTEMPTS THE ENGINE WOULD START AND FUNCTION NORMALLY. GAS MILEAGE HAS NEVER BEEN AS HIGH WAS REPRESENTED IN SALES INFORMATION. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN RETURNED TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES FOR CORRECTION BUT THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. A COMPLAINT HAS BEEN LODGED WITH BOTH THE DEALER AND FIAT USA.

REALLY COLD MORNING, UPON STARTING, THE TPMS REPORTED THE LEFT FRONT TIRE LOW ON PRESSURE. AND TIRE LIGHT STAYED ON. I HAD ALL 4 TIRES CHECKED AND FILLED TO SPECS, CONTINENTAL TIRES, BUT THE TIRE LIGHT STAYED ON FOR THE NEXT DAY AND A HALF, WHEREIN I DROVE ABOUT 65 MILES, AND TURNED THE CAR ON/OFF NUMEROUS TIMES. (AT WORK, STORE, OVERNIGHT, ETC.) THE TIRE PLACE THAT I TOOK THE CAR TOO TO HAVE THE AIR CHECKED, WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE HOW TO RESET THE TPMS. THERE WAS NOTHING OUT ABOUT THIS CAR YET. (FYI, YOU CAN USE A CHRYSLER RESET UNIT) THE TIRE LIGHT FINALLY WENT OUT THE NEXT DAY ON IT'S OWN ON THE WAY HOME FROM WORK. WENT TO THE FIAT DEALERSHIP A FEW DAYS LATER TO FIND OUT HOW TO RESET THE TPMS IF/WHEN IT HAPPENS AGAIN. THE SERVICE MANAGER CHECKED IT OUT. LET AIR OUT UNTIL THE LIGHT CAME ON, THEN FILLED IT TO THE CORRECT PRESSURE, THEN DROVE IT ABOUT 50 FEET, AND THE TPMS LIGHT RESET ITSELF. SO, THE SYSTEM APPEARS TO OPERATING PROPERLY NOW AFTER WHAT I HAD OBSERVED. WILL WATCH TO SEE IF IT BECOMES A PROBLEM. *TR

I'D PULLED OVER IN A PARKING LOT TO TAKE A PHONE CALL (BLUETOOTH RECEPTION WAS STATIC-Y), AND WAS SITTING WITH MY FOOT RESTING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. I FELT A KICK UNDER MY FOOT, TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND REMOVED MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE AS I COMPLETED THE CALL. WHEN I STARTED THE CAR AND PULLED TO THE EDGE OF THE LOT'S EXIT, I OF COURSE STEPPED ON THE BRAKE TO STOP AND CHECK FOR TRAFFIC, BUT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS STUCK AND I ROLLED INTO THE STREET. I HOPE I USED THE HANDBRAKE TO STOP THE CAR, ALTHOUGH I REALLY DON'T REMEMBER. I DID REVERSE BACK INTO THE PARKING LOT, USING THE SLIGHT SLOPE OF THE DRIVEWAY TO ENSURE I COULD STOP ONCE OUT OF THE STREET. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. IT'S PROBABLY UNRELATED, BUT THE VOICE RECOGNITION SYSTEM WAS WORKING SPORADICALLY THAT SAME MORNING. *KB

THE AIRBAG FAILURE WARNING LIGHT HAS CONSISTENTLY ACTIVATED ON MY NEW FIAT SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW. HAVE RETURNED THE CAR FOR SERVICE TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES REGARDING THIS ISSUE; MANY TIMES THE DEALER HAS INFORMED ME THAT THEY SHOW NO INDICATION OF THE AIRBAG FAILURE LIGHT BEING ACTIVATED. SINCE THEN, I HAVE TAKEN NUMEROUS PHOTOS WITH MY PHONE OF THE AIRBAG FAILURE WARNING LIGHT BEING TRIGGERED AS THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT SEEMED TO NEED MORE EVIDENCE OF THIS OCCURRENCE. HOWEVER, THE ISSUE HAS YET TO BE RESOLVED AND I AM SEEKING RESOLUTION THROUGH THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU. *JS

HEAVY MOISTURE APPEARS ON THE INSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD AFTER CAR COOLS. COULD LEAD TO DAMAGE TO ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. *TR

BODY SEAMS LEFT OPEN/UNWELDED DURING MANUFACTURING CAUSING WATER LEAKS AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AFFECTING BRAKES, LIGHTING, RESTRAINT SYSTEMS, POWER DOOR LOCKS, WINDOWS, MIRRORS, ABS, ESP, HILL START ASSIST, ETC. OPEN/UNWELDED AREAS ALSO WEREN'T PAINTED DURING MANUFACTURING. IMPROPER REPAIRS PERFORMED. "SEALANT" APPLIED TO CLOSE SEAMS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN WELDED. PURCHASED 12/22/2011. FOUND INTERIOR WET ON 12/25/2011. RETURNED TO DEALER ON 01/02/2012. SPENT 21 DAYS IN THE SHOP. PROBLEM WAS FOUND TO BE, "NUMEROUS OPEN BODY SEAMS MEASURING OVER 10 INCHES LONG THAT WERE LEFT OPEN AND UNWELDED AND UNPAINTED DURING MANUFACTURING." CAR WAS RETURNED TO ME "REPAIRED" ON 1/23/2012. I IMMEDIATELY BEGAN EXPERIENCING NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THEN, NOTICED THAT THE CAR WAS LEAKING, AGAIN, AND EVEN WORSE, ON 1/30/2012. CAR WAS NEVER REPAIRED/IMPROPERLY REPAIRED. INTERIOR VERY WET. ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS GETTING WORSE. PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES AND 'HILL START ASSIST'. FIAT WILL NOT RETURN MY CALLS. I'VE SENT LETTERS ASKING THAT THE CAR BE REPLACED. THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *KB

CAR WAS STALLING AND SHUTTING OFF. HAD MY DAUGHTER IN THE CAR. COULDN'T START THE CAR AFTER 3 ATTEMPTS. THEN AFTER WAITING A GOOD 3 MINUTES STARTED THE CAR AND REVVED THE ENGINE AT 4000 RPM AND EVERYTHING SEEMED BACK TO NORMAL. DEALER HASN'T BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE. *TR

PASSENGER SEAT DOES NOT SECURE TO UNDER CARRIAGE AFTER BEING LEANED FORWARD FOR ENTRY TO BACK SEAT. VIGOROUS MANIPULATION WILL EVENTUALLY SET IT, BUT IF NOT SET SUDDEN ACCELERATION WILL BRING SEAT FORCEFULLY AGAINST THE LEGS OF REAR PASSENGER. THIS OCCURRED TO US LAST YEAR. 3 SERVICE VISITS TO KIRKLAND, WA DEALERSHIP HAVE ALL RESULTED IN OUR BEING TOLD THAT THE SEATS ARE THE #1 COMPLAINT AND THAT THE OPERATION IS NORMAL. *TR

THIS VEHICLE WAS RECENTLY AWARDED AN IIHS TOP PICK SAFETY AWARD, BUT ONLY FOR VEHICLES MANUFACTURED AFTER JULY, 2011, WHEN FIAT REDESIGNED THE SEATS FOR BETTER SIDE-IMPACT PROTECTION. I OWN A FIAT 500 MANUFACTURED BEFORE JULY, SO CLEARLY MY CAR IS NOT AS SAFE AS THOSE BUILT AFTERWARD. CAN NHTSA INVESTIGATE AND POSSIBLY FORCE FIAT TO RECALL THE EARLY VEHICLES TO INSTALL THE SAFER SEATS? FROM MY DEALINGS WITH THEM ON SIMPLE, LITTLE THINGS I'M CONFIDENT THEY WOULDN'T VOLUNTEER TO DO IT ON THEIR OWN. *TR

AXLE IS MAKING CRACKING NOISES AND DEALER SAID THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE AFTER 2 ATTEMPTS. NOISE IS GETTING LOUDER. FIRST STARTED AT 600 MILES. SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

AFTER DEALER REPLACED FAULTY REAR MAIN SEAL IN JULY/AUGUST 2013, REAR WIPER BLADE WOULD ACTIVATE WITH CONTROLS IN OFF POSITION, CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO MOVE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL ARM UP AND DOWN, AND THEN REAR WIPER BLADES WOULD STOP. ALSO THE CAR STARTER WOULD INTERMITTENTLY MAKE A ELECTRICAL NOISE AFTER TURNING THE KEY AND THE CAR WOULDN'T START, THEN I HAD TO TURN KEY TWO TO THREE TIMES TO START CAR. AFTER TWO MONTHS WITH ABOVE, IN COLD WEATHER BELOW 35 DEGREES THE STEREO, CD PLAYER, BLUEME SYSTEMS WON'T WORK! IT ONLY STARTS TO WORK AFTER THE CAR AND SURROUNDING ENVIRONMENT REACHES 40-45 DEGREES. CALLED INTO DEALER AND HAVE APPOINTMENT FOR CHECKING ALL AND REPAIR/REPLACE COMPONENTS NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND SAFELY. *TR