Model year
2012 Fiat 500
NHTSA lists 3 recalls and 396 complaints for the 2012 Fiat 500 (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are POWER TRAIN (194), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (55), ENGINE (51). NHTSA lists 1 investigation. NHTSA rated 2 variants 3 stars overall. EPA rates it 29–32 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $2,550–$2,850, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2012 396 complaints
- 2013 165 complaints
- 2014 124 complaints
- 2015 92 complaints
- 2016 14 complaints
- 2017 14 complaints
- 2018 5 complaints
- 2019 0 complaints
- 2020 2 complaints
- 2021 0 complaints
- 2022 2 complaints
- 2023 0 complaints
Recalls
19V817000 · Nov 15, 2019
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT; POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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.
16V302000 · May 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.
11V550000 · Nov 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…
Complaints
396 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 21, fire flag on 4, injury field 17, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| EA19001 | Electrical overstress · AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE | Apr 19, 2019 | Sep 19, 2024 |
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 HB FWD Early Release | 3 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 4 · possibility 0.145 | NHTSA photo |
| 3 HB FWD Later Release | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 · possibility 0.147 | NHTSA photo |
| Cabrio C FWD | Not rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated · possibility 0 | — |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 500 · 1.4L · Automatic 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 27 | 33 | 29 | — | — | $2,850 |
| 500 · 1.4L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 30 | 37 | 32 | — | — | $2,550 |
| 500 Cabrio · 1.4L · Automatic 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 27 | 32 | 29 | — | — | $2,850 |
| 500 Abarth · 1.4L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 28 | 33 | 30 | — | — | $2,750 |
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Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2012 Fiat 500 at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.