CarComplaints.com Notes: Considering sales numbers and data that monitors complaints-per-make, there appears to be an unusually high number of issues with the 2012 Fiat 500. Perhaps that isn't surprising -- it is the first model year of the car, and those tend to have a higher incidence rate.

Of particular concern is the number of engine and powertrain complaints submitted to NHTSA.

9.3

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,130
Average Mileage:
35,050 miles
Total Complaints:
3 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (2 reports)
  2. replace clutch assembly (1 reports)
2012 Fiat 500 clutch problems

clutch problem

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2012 Fiat 500 Owner Comments

problem #3

Jan 202015

500 Abarth 1.4t

  • Manual transmission
  • 39,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

wHILE DOWNSHIFTING FROM 5TH TO 4TH, THE CLUTCH PEDAL REMAINED ON THE FLOOR AND THERE WAS NO PRESSURE. WHEN I INITIALLY DEPRESSED. I LIFTED TH PEDAL WITH MY FOOT AND THERE WAS STILL NO PRESSURE ON MY NEXT GEAR SHIFT. RAISED THE POEDAL AGAIN AND THE CLUTCH PEDAL RETURNED TO NORMAL. THIS HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR AND THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE TECHS CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THERE IS NO SIMILARITY OF DRIVING CONDITIONS WHEN THIS OCCURS. PUMPING THE CLUTCH PEDAL SEEMS TO HELP RESTORE PEDAL PRESSURE TEMPORARILY.

- Peter K., Arlington Heights, IL, US

problem #2

Mar 012016

500 Convertible

  • Manual transmission
  • 15,890 miles

2012 Fiat C, less than 16,000 miles owned by a 68 year old, babied, and the clutch starts to slip under load of acceleration. I've owned a dozen sticks over my life, never burned up a clutch. Even rebuilt stick shifts before. My diagnosis and dealer agreed, the clutch leaf springs that hold it against the flywheel are weak, allowing the clutch to slip under load. Now that is a design defect in my corner. Fun car, what a disappointment. Out or warranty of course..... $1250 later. Service was very nice, I blame this on Fiat Designers.

- hal84, Huntsville, AL, US

problem #1

Jul 282015

500 Sport

  • Manual transmission
  • 50,200 miles

This appears to be a common problem (http://www.fiat500usaforum.com/search.php?searchid=1393936) and it causing some very dangerous situations to occur. Some people are having their clutch go out at 24k miles. Thankfully, it was late at night and there was no traffic when this happened to me.

Basically, right when I shifted into 4th gear, my clutch pedal stuck to the floor and I could no longer shift gears.

When I went to the dealership, they told me I am driving my car wrong, though I've been driving manual transmissions all my life. I do not drive my car "hard" or push my transmission. I am a commuter and bought my car for such.

Having the clutch fail like that, with zero warning, is a HUGE risk to drivers, and I hope Fiat does the right thing and issue a recall. A clutch should not be doing that at such a low mileage, and not without any indication or warning.

I JUST had my car inspected by the dealership and they insisted there was no problems with the car. If I was wearing out my clutch like they said this is something they would have been able to see. This is VERY DANGEROUS.

- Jared S., Costa Mesa, CA, US

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