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KLUNK
KLUNK

2012 Fiat 500

The Verdict

35 Check Engine

The 2012 Fiat 500 has 394 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are transmission (174 complaints) and engine (73 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 35/100, it earns a "Check Engine" rating. If you're shopping for a Fiat 500, consider the 2018 model year which has 98% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2018 has 98% fewer complaints

View the 2018 Fiat 500 dashboard →

35

Klunk Score: Check Engine

More complaints than most vehicles. Known issues exist — budget for potential repairs.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

Recalls 3

Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.

19V817000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT

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 trans...

Risk

If the shifter cable detaches from the transmission, the transmission may not shift into the gear selected by the driver. Additionally, despite selecting PARK with the shifter, the vehicle may rol...

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter cable adjuster, free of charge. The recall began January 9, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403....

Reported Apr 10, 2026

16V302000 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 sp...

Risk

If the clutch diaphragm spring fails, the driver may not be able to shift gears or the vehicle may lose motive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

The remedy for this recall will include the installation of a clutch pedal limiter and a clutch pedal switch. The recall began on November 10, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at...

Reported Apr 10, 2026

19E044000 POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:FLOOR SHIFT ASSEMBLY

DLT, LLC. is recalling certain CravenSpeed Fiat Short Shifter shafts sold for use in 2011-2019 Fiat 500 vehicles. The Shifter Shaft may have been improperly manufactured with a through hole for th...

Risk

If the shifter breaks while the vehicle is in motion, it can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

DLT has notified owners, and will provide a complete replacement shifter assembly with an updated shaft, free of charge. The recall began July 24, 2019. Owners may contact DLT customer service at...

Reported Mar 7, 2019

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
20126987073174
2013344253270
2014252202156
2015293161529
201602237
201742332
201841000

By Category

Transmission
174
Engine
73
Electrical
70
Body
69
Brakes
8

By Severity

1
194
2
173
3
2
4
25

Worst Problems

Complaints

Transmission 2

The contact owns a 2012 Fiat 500. The contact stated that upon shifting the gear shifter into drive(D), park(P), or reverse(R), the transmission failed to shift into the intended gear and shifted into a different gear. The vehicle was towed to the dealer after each failure. The dealer repaired the vehicle under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V817000 (Power Train); however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure several times by phone and by an online complaint. Several cases were filed and the contact was referred to the dealer for assistance.

1mo ago
Body 2

I am filing a complaint concerning a recurring gear shift failure in my 2012 fiat 500c. The same failure has occurred three times between June 10 and September 8, 2026. On June 10, 2026 I was able to move shift lever but the transmission remained in reverse and would not shift into another gear despite multiple attempts. I did not know what the cause or problem was and had no knowledge that it might be related to a safety recall. I had vehicle towed to an independent repair shop who subsequently diagnosed a faulty gear shifter and replaced it and this restored the vehicles operation. The shop was able to replace the faulty part and the car was returned to me on June 12, 2026. On August 21, 2026the same failure occurred again. I was able to move the shifter but the transmission remained in neutral regardless of the selected shifter position and I had to push the vehicle onto the side of the road. Again the vehicle was undriveable and was towed to an authorized dealership who diagnosed a faulty gear shifter. The dealership performed the repair under safety recall VB4/NHTSA recall 19V-817 concerning the gear shifter cable adjust/bushing. The dealership then returned the vehicle to me as repaired on September 4, 2026. The vehicle sat parked for the following 3 days and was operated on September 8, 2026. On September 8, 2026 the exact same failure occurred a third time and after the authorized dealership completed the recall repaired. The gearshift lever moved, but the transmission would not change gears and the indicator remained in drive. The vehicle was again undriveable and had to be towed back to the dealership. Stellantis/FCAopened several case numbers and a case manager informed me the dealership would not be able to inspect the vehicle for 8 days. I was also informed that Stellantis/FCAand the dealership would not provide rental or alternate transportation assistance while the disabled vehicle awaited inspection.

1mo ago
Transmission 2

The clutch went out while downshifting upon making a turn onto a street. The gear shift became wobbly and would not shift into any gear. This happened without warning. Minutes before, my passenger and I were driving across town on a freeway.

5mo ago
Body 2

I have been dealing with identity theft and not really sure why when I put vin number to my vehicle I purchased September 25 2025 it says a different color

12mo ago
Electrical 1

The vehicle had been stalling out on numerous occasions one being a freezing Xmas eve in Drive thru if it had happened somewhere isolated the driver could have frozen. I rented cars several times and replaced the alternator ,battery and at the final point at the dealership the mechanic suggested I purchase a $600 battery though I had a brand new one. The dealership gave me a $200 credit but it happened again, the mechanic in town said the Bluetooth component was draining the battery. They removed it and no problem since. The dealership mechanic talked around the issue and would not answer my questions about this. The safety issues related to this are dangerous and it appears to be known by mechanics about this model.

16mo ago
Body 1

The contact owns a 2012 Fiat 500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal clunking sound coming from underneath the front of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

20mo ago
Electrical 2

The wiring harness bundle leading to the trunk failed between the trunk & upper drivers side of the car. Upper brake lights stopped working, then rear defroster, then trunk wouldn’t open & I got a license plate light warning on the dash. Mechanic tried to replace switch, still didn’t work, the tried to replace handle (with license plate light). Mechanic broke more wires in bundle, back brake lights stopped working. The wiring harness bundle leading into the trunk is defective.

24mo ago
Transmission 2

The contact owns a 2012 Fiat 500. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to exit the highway. The contact stated that while attempting to restart the vehicle, the clutch pedal went to the floorboard and the contact was unable to start the vehicle. The contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the clutch pedal limiter and a clutch pedal switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V302000 (Power Train) which had been completed in 2023 on the vehicle by the same dealer. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 214,000.

26mo ago
Transmission 2

Front Wheel hub bearings grinding, very fast wear and tear Transmission still not shifting right after recall shifter cable replaced not grabbing gears

26mo ago
Transmission 2

The contact owns a 2012 Fiat 500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V302000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated while attempting to reverse, the transmission failed to respond as needed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, and it was confirmed that the recall repair was not yet available and there was no expected date when parts would be available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 170,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

27mo ago
Transmission 2

The contact owns a 2012 Fiat 500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V302000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

30mo ago
Transmission 1

The contact owns a 2012 Fiat 500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the clutch pedal briefly depressed to the floor and remained stuck before releasing. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the clutch diaphragm spring. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V302000 (Power Train); however, the vehicle had already been repaired under the recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 106,000.

31mo ago
Transmission 1

The clutch is out in the car. This may be caused by the clutch cover diaphragm spring and results in the inability to disengage the clutch, shift gears, and loss of mode of power. Leaving the passengers in a situation that can cause wreck without warning. My clutch went without any warning. I would like to be able to have my car fixed since this is a issue that many other cars made the same year make and model as mine are have been recalled for this very issue I'm having. My car is very unsafe and without warning the clutch became none responsive and has been that way ever sense. I dont have the means to repair this and since you are taking responsiblty for this issue on other cars my car is having the same issue but not on the recall alrhough it should be on the recall as it is Very very dangerous.

31mo ago
Transmission 2

The contact's daughter owns a 2012 Fiat 500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V302000 (Power Train) which was linked to the failure. The dealer had been notified about the recall but stated that parts were not yet available and remained on backorder. The manufacturer had been notified of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

32mo ago
Body 2

The contact owns a Cybex Car Seat, Model Name: Aton 2, Manufactured Date: Aug 2019. The car seat was used in a 2012 Fiat 500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23C001000 (Child Seat). The contact reached out to the manufacturer to have a replacement seat mailed out; however, the contact was not provided the replacement car seat. The contact stated that the manufacturer had 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. Parts distribution disconnect.

34mo ago
Transmission 1

The contact owns a 2012 Fiat 500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V302000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the clutch assembly. The vehicle was not repaired due to parts not being available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was filed. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was unknown. Parts distribution disconnect.

35mo ago
Transmission 1

The contact owns a 2012 Fiat 500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V302000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and determined that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

36mo ago
Body 1

I just purchased this 2012 Fiat 500 Cabrio. It seems it is widespread issue on the failure of the guiderails and components that work the convertible top are of poor quality and the tops become inoperable and the cost to repair can exceed the value of the vehicle. The safety issue is that if the top has failed and failed to complete the cycle to close the rear hatch locks and remains locked with no way to access rear of vehicle by emergency responders. The scenario would be inability to get to a passenger by blocked doors and only can access through the rear of the vehicle. This could require cutting through the top or some other method. This could impact time element to extract a passenger from a car.

37mo ago
Transmission 1

The contact owns a 2012 Fiat 500. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle, and the transmission failed to shift gear properly and lost motive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to push the vehicle into a parking lot. The dealer was contact and stated there was no recall on the VIN. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was 187,000.

38mo ago
Transmission 1

My 2012 Fiat 500 has had the same problem twice now. While driving, the clip attaching the clutch pedal to the master cylinder assembly breaks and disconnects. The pedal will go to the floor and stay there, and it becomes impossible to shift the manual transmission. After replacing the entire master cylinder assembly, to repair this issue, it just happened again months later. The last time it happened, my husband was driving the car, and was barely able to prevent an accident after the pedal disconnected on the freeway. This topic is discussed in Fiat owners groups around the world, and it happens often. When I tried to contact Fiat with my concern, they simply replied by automated response to tell me this recall (Safety Recall S34) doesnt apply to my model based on my vin (despite the same resulting danger)

41mo ago

394 total

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