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.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
37,807 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Fiat 500 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2012 Fiat 500 Owner Comments (Page 7 of 9)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #60

Dec 172013

500

  • miles

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

The contact owns a 2012 Fiat 500. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V302000 (power train); however, the part to do the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Palmdale, CA, USA

problem #59

Feb 162013

500

  • 38,000 miles
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.

- West Richland, WA, USA

problem #58

Jun 082016

500

  • 14,273 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Fiat 500. While driving approximately 35 mph, the transmission failed to shift into fourth gear. On separate occasions, the transmission would not shift properly in and out of gear. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 16V302000 (power train); however, the part needed to perform 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 issue. The approximate failure mileage was 14,273. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Marrero, LA, USA

problem #57

Jul 102015

500

  • 30 miles

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

I have had to get my starter replaced and shortly after my clutch locked up on me.. I am unable to drive my car

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #56

Jul 042016

500

  • 24,300 miles
NHTSA 16V-302 recall and fca solution will not solve the problem of defective part that creates the safety issue. It is only a bandaid that disguises the problem. Fca should be required to fix the defective part that creates the safety issue. This is an inadequate non-fix. The clutch cover diaphragm spring needs to be replaced in all manual transmission vehicles. Fca needs to be held responsible for repair or needs to extend warranty for the affected assembly. No more bandaid fixes for safety issues from fca like the trailer hitch fix for Jeep that was done before.

- Richmond, VA, USA

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problem #55

May 162016

500

  • miles
The contact owns a 2012 Fiat 500. The contact 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 repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Winston Salem, NC, USA

problem #54

Jun 012016

500

  • 30,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2012 Fiat 500. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced difficulty shifting out of first gear. The failure occurred without warning. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V302000 (power train); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #53

Apr 172016

500

  • 27,800 miles
The car was purchased on April 15, 2016. Since then, I have had to take the car in for service several times. The first issue was a problem with the brake light. The second issue was that the gears would not move and I had to use a screw driver to change the car from park to drive and vice versa, drive to reverse and vice versa, etc... the third issue was that the car rolled backwards. The recent issue was for a recall on the powertrain control. In addition, the car while driving on the freeway and local streets drifts to the right side. As a result of the drifting, I have had almost three car accidents in the past month. The service representative informed me that the drifting is a result of the roads on the freeway and locally and not an issue with the car. I no longer feel safe drive to this car and fear getting into a major accident. Today I contacted the Fiat owner assistance to file a complaint and request that the issue be addressed. Their response was that the car was safe as per the service reports and that I should get a wheel alignment at my expense. This recommendation was made by a corporate representative and not a mechanic. I am filing this complaint in hopes that the issue be addressed and that I am able to return the Fiat for another vehicle that is safe and meet the standard of quality Fiat is known for.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #52

May 192016

500

  • 7 miles
57,560 mileage, vehicle wont shift again, manual trasnmision in on my garage

- Hayward, CA, USA

problem #51

Jul 282014

500 4-cyl

  • 7 miles
Mileage 33,245 manual transmission wont shift, clutch has failed, found belville spring on pressure plate has broke date 28/Jul/2014. Mileage 57,560 again 19/may/2016 need to recall im have al document.

- Hayward, CA, USA

problem #50

Jun 012016

500

  • 56,400 miles

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

I was driving on the highway and attempted to downshift while approaching an exit. My clutch became stiff and not responsive. I was unable to depress the clutch to change gears. While struggling to maintain control of the vehicle, I was able to get the vehicle out of gear and coast to the side of highway at the base of the exit ramp. I turned the car off to calm down, since I luckily avoided any major accident. A police car drove by and stopped to ask me if I was ok and I said I was fine. I was unable to get my car into gear after that and had to have the car towed to a garage. The mechanic at the garage said the clutch had failed. A quick check showed that this make and model were subject to an upcoming recall, so I had the car towed from the garage to a Fiat dealer for repair. The dealer told me that the clutch diaphragm spring failed and damaged the clutch. Repair bills attached. Repeated attempts to get a clear answer on the scope of the recall were unsuccessful.

- Cranston, RI, USA

problem #49

Jun 152014

500

  • 70,000 miles
Warning says airbag malfunction, all the time.brakes wear every 1000 miles.wheel bearings went out at 70,000 miles..these malfunctions happen when moving...

- Warsaw, IN, USA

problem #48

Apr 272016

500

  • 46,383 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Fiat 500. While pulling into a store parking lot, the contact heard an abnormal noise. After an attempt to shift the vehicle out of gear, it would not shift. The contact applied the emergency brake and restarted the vehicle in neutral. The vehicle was able to be shifted into the correct gear. Once the vehicle was shifted into drive, the vehicle was not able to be shifted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the pressure plate was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 16V302000 (power train); however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 46,383.

- Bernardsville, NJ, USA

problem #47

May 282016

500

  • 26,000 miles
This vehicle is 4 years old, manual transmission, with approximately 26,000 miles. It has had regular service for oil changes and maintenance. I had been driving the car without incident. While exiting the highway there was resistance on the clutch when I put the car in neutral. At the bottom of the exit ramp I was unable to engage the clutch and could not get the car in gear. I was able to avoid other vehicles, and had a green light. I was able to make the left hand turn while coasting and stopped the car under the highway overpass where I waited for a tow truck. This is a fairly high-traffic area and other cars were unable to see my car until after making the left hand turn off of the exit ramp. The dealership states that the car needs a flywheel, clutch bearing and pressure disc plate. I understand that there have been similar complaints with fiat500S with manual transmissions. To date, there is still no recall attached to the VIN number and Fiat customer service has not been responsive to requests for assistance. Any additional NHTSA attention to these apparent manufacturing defects would be appreciated. Thank you.

- Sicklerville, NJ, USA

problem #46

Mar 022016

500

  • 34,769 miles
The pressured plate fail at 34769 K, ( was over 3 years warranty) I have to pay for a town company to move it to my mechanic. Also Y have a reamplace and cost me $ 1742.90

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #45

May 032016

500

  • 29,600 miles
Took car in for service with 29,600 miles on it. Was told it needed new valve cover gasket, both cv boots replaced, and both transmission output seals replaced. I had already replaced one transmission output seal at 22,000 miles. Total cost $900 all out of warranty. I've already filed a complaint about having to replace the clutch. Seems there are a lot of issues with this car.

- Fairfax, CA, USA

problem #44

Feb 272016

500 4-cyl

  • 28,488 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Fiat 500. The contact stated that while driving at 40 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the technician informed that the vehicle needed to be reset. The vehicle was repaired. The failure recurred with an abnormal sound emitting from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 28,488.....updated 07/05/16 the consumer stated she took the vehicle to the dealer, after receiving a recall notice regarding the transmission. However, the dealer informed her, the back up device was not working. The consumer also stated there was an issue with the suspension. It felt as though the vehicle was going to turn over. Updated 07/21/16.

- Columbia, SC, USA

problem #43

Feb 072016

500

  • 60,000 miles
Vehicle has a manual transmission. Without warning, during normal driving conditions on a city street, it became impossible to shift gears. The car had to be towed to a repair shop (Fiat dealer) where it was discovered the flywheel, clutch pressure plate, and clutch bearing were broken and had to be replaced. Cost for the repair was $1612

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #42

Mar 242016

500

  • 46,000 miles
I was driving in 3rd gear (manual trans) and tried to shift to 4th. The shift knob popped out of 3rd fine, but then would not go into 4th. When I tried to go back into 3rd it wouldn't engage. I ended up needing to shift into 2nd when the car lost momentum, it would not engage in this gear either, or 1st. I had to turn quickly onto a side street in order to not get hit from behind. With the car on, in neutral, and stationary, it would not shift into any gear (with the clutch pressed down). It felt like it just bounced out of gear without it ever engaging. With the car off, the shifter would engage fine - in any gear. From what I've read on multiple Fiat forums, this is a reoccurring problem for many. My car has approximately 46,000miles, and not had any major issues thus far, with the engine and body are in great condition. - www.fiat500owners.com/forum/8-Fiat-500-general-discussion-forum/81033-wont-able-shift-gears.html ---- www.fiat500owners.com/forum/8-Fiat-500-general-discussion-forum/27713-stiff-clutch-car-wont-shift-into-gear-getting-sick-all-these-issues.html ----

- Murfreesboro, TN, USA

problem #41

Mar 082016

500

  • 43,000 miles
The clutch gave out in rush hour traffic as I was downshifting to enter a traffic circle. The clutch pedal became stiff and I was able to get the car into neutral, but could not put the car back in gear, or depress the clutch pedal fully. According to the mechanic, the pressure plate cracked due to it being manufactured with low-quality metal. The car has only 43,000 miles on it.

- Dothan, AL, USA

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