NHTSA — Electronic Stability Control Problems

CarComplaints.com Seal Of This Might Hurt

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:
40,547 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 brakes problems

brakes problem

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2012 Fiat 500 Owner Comments

problem #8

Jun 162020

500 4-cyl

  • 79,250 miles

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

While driving home via local city surface streets, the gearbox fail light and the have transmission checked message came up on the dash cluster. I drove the car 4 more miles to a service station, stopping twice on the way. The car began running poorly. Including bucking, revving high, while staying at low speed, stalling and bucking at lights low idle or stops. The service station said other than a low number (4 times per 1000 I think...a cylinder misfire) no codes came up. When reset the car would run briefly as normal butat first stop all issues would resume in full again. I was able to drive the car home (2 blocks) but was not sure it would make it. It sits in my parking spot as we speak.

- Montgomery Village, MD, USA

problem #7

Sep 022019

500

  • miles
Oil presure light comes on saying stop turn engine off low iol pressure after I drive it for about 10 mins I guess after it get hot. Then chexk engine liggt comes with it. Other people has and are going threw the same thing with 2012 Fiat 509 sports. Its all over the you tube why is this happing. I replace oil presure sensor and changed my oil same thing it didnt change anything asking for a recall on the oil pum or what is causing this. Plus it makea a sound after driving at the same time it shows up while pushing gas pedal

- Winston Salem, NC, USA

problem #6

Sep 172017

500 4-cyl

  • miles
I called Fiat 800-992-1997 I asked about the recall on my vehicle for the 100th time they told me that I would need to take my VIN # [xxx] in for a diagnostic before I could get the recall fixed for my clutch I told Fiat I don't have the money to pay for a diagnostic and I would have to save up so it will take another year for me to have the recall complete so I will just keep my car here at home an choose not to drive it I will rent cars instead also the car can not be bought transferred or sold with out the completed recall! information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Saratoga Springs, UT, USA

problem #5

Jul 262017

500

  • 68,000 miles

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

Electrical issues throughout the car causing the trunk to not be able to open. Check engine light, they're going to have to change spark plugs and ignition coil. Light bulbs in middle console all have to be replaced. Engine and air filters

- Riverside, CA, USA

problem #4

Sep 222015

500

  • 122,290 miles
I took my car in to Fiat in slc Utah ken garff they took my car said I had an oil leak then came back and said I needed a catalyst converter I believe the electronic system has been hacked into by the dealership in order to make money which puts me and my 13 year old child are at risk in this car please help I have been though this same thing in buford ga please help I want Fiat to buy my car back I own it out right please I dont trust the dealer something is going on with the electonic system

- Saratoga Springs, UT, USA

problem #3

Sep 122012

500

  • miles
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.

- Fort Meade, FL, USA

problem #2

Jun 122014

500

  • 49,837 miles
Pulling away from a stop light under light acceleration, multiple warning lights came on including "ESC disabled" and multiple light warnings for the gearbox, the steering, electronic throttle control, general malfunction light, ESC off light, and ESC malfunction light, and lost power steering, almost causing an accident while trying to get the car off the road. The car was shut off and restarted immediately with no change. After letting the car sit for a half-hour, the car was restarted and steering was restored and no warning light were on. The vehicle was driven home and parked until it was towed to the dealership. They drove the car over 50 miles and were unable to repeat the incident or identify the problem so they released the unrepaired vehicle to the owner.

- Central Point, OR, USA

problem #1

Oct 012012

500 4-cyl

  • 5,000 miles
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.

- Coon Rapids, MN, USA

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