How many recalls does the 2012 Fiat 500 have?

NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2012 Fiat 500 model year. Whether one car had the recall work done depends on that car, so check its VIN with NHTSA.

2011: 1 owner complaint, Not judged

Our take: the data says look elsewhere. Owners filed 6.1 times the complaints of a typical year of this model.

Year verdict

Pass, meaning Skip

6.1× a typical year

Skip this year if you can.

Confidence: Medium

NHTSA did not answer for 21 years, so the typical year may shift.

NHTSA did not answer for 21 years, so this may change.

Past 100,000 miles

Locked

How this year held up past 100,000 miles.

With a Car Hunt Pass or Pro

How the dial was counted

Year verdict: Typical year: 46 complaints, the median of 6 nearby years. Each counted over its first 8 years from January 2011; this one had 281.

Same car, better year: 2015 or 2016 500 (both Worthy)

Car Hunt Pass or Pro

Odometer check

See plans, from $15

Car Hunt Pass: $15 once for 30 days, a launch price. It never renews. Full refund if you ask within 7 days.

WhipWorthy sticker

2012 Fiat 500

Complaints396From owners
Loading owner complaints
Recalls4On file
Loading recalls
Crash3 out of 5 starsBest of 2 versions
Loading crash ratings
MPG29 to 32Combined, EPA
Loading fuel economy

Complaints are unverified owner reports, not adjusted for how many were sold.

Compare this car Every 500 year

Car report

Park this car in My Garage and see its recalls at a glance.Car Hunt Pass or Pro

Value signals

We do not price cars.

These help you judge whether this one is worth its price.

Costly problem zones ahead at your miles come with a Car Hunt Pass or Pro. See plans
Fuel: $2,500 to $2,750 a year.The EPA’s estimate for 15,000 miles a year, 55% in town, at its fuel prices. Each version
Loading the EPA's yearly fuel cost
Have the VIN? Check it is this car, and see its open recalls at NHTSA.
VIN
On the dash at the base of the windshield, or on the driver’s door sticker.

What about the price? Check the asking price on two listing sites. Buying from a dealer? Run its offer through the offer X ray.

Education, not financial or mechanical advice. Have any used car checked by a mechanic you trust before you buy.

The full record

Tap to open

What owners complain about

396 complaints; the part named most is the transmission and drivetrain

Unverified reports, not adjusted for sales. One complaint can name several parts, so shares add up past 100%. Filed Oct 28, 2011 to Sep 21, 2026. 60% name a part that is usually costly to fix.

Owners reported 21 crashes, 4 fires and 17 injuries in these complaints.

Transmission and drivetrain201 · 51%Usually costly to fix
Electrical63 · 16%
Engine53 · 13%Usually costly to fix

What one owner wrote about the transmission and drivetrain

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…

Filed Sep 21, 2026NHTSA complaint 117658171 of 18 owner quotes

Car Hunt Pass or Pro

15 more parts, and 18 owner quotes

Every part owners name for the 2012 Fiat 500, with their own words about what went wrong. Usually costly to fix among them: Body and frame.

See plans, from $15

Car Hunt Pass: $15 once for 30 days, a launch price. It never renews. Full refund if you ask within 7 days.

SourceOwner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Fiat 500. NHTSA, checked Nov 2, 2026.

Seller kit

Questions for the seller, test drive checks and price points

Car Hunt Pass or Pro

Walk up to the seller ready

Questions to ask the seller of a 2012 Fiat 500, built from this year's owner complaints and recalls. What to feel, hear and look at on the test drive, with boxes to tick at the car. Honest points to raise on price, from the records and never from guesses. Copy the questions to your phone in one tap.

See plans, from $15

Car Hunt Pass: $15 once for 30 days, a launch price. It never renews. Full refund if you ask within 7 days.

Write your offer

A ready to send offer for the seller, by text or email

Car Hunt Pass or Pro

Send the seller a fair offer

Type the asking price and your own offer for the 2012 Fiat 500, tick what you found, and get a polite message ready to text or email. Its reasons come from this year's owner complaints, recalls and crash ratings, and never from made up repair prices.

See plans, from $15

Car Hunt Pass: $15 once for 30 days, a launch price. It never renews. Full refund if you ask within 7 days.

When problems show up

Transmission and drivetrain: the middle complaint around 45,000 miles

The bar holds the middle half of the complaints that gave a mileage; the dark mark is the middle one. 140 complaints of 396 gave one. Owners file when something fails, so this shows when problems were reported, not how long the cars last.

Transmission and drivetrainCostly30,000 to 70,000 mi
Half of these 80 complaints came between about 30,000 and 70,000 miles, the middle one around 45,000.

Car Hunt Pass or Pro

Mileage for 2 more parts, 1 usually costly

The mileage band for every part owners name, and your car's miles laid across them.

See plans, from $15

Car Hunt Pass: $15 once for 30 days, a launch price. It never renews. Full refund if you ask within 7 days.

SourceMileage from owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Fiat 500. NHTSA, checked Nov 2, 2026.

Will it outlast the loan?

The month of your loan each problem zone lands in

Car Hunt Pass or Pro

3 problem zones to lay against your loan, 2 usually costly

See the month of your loan each one lands in, and what you would still owe then.

See plans, from $15

Car Hunt Pass: $15 once for 30 days, a launch price. It never renews. Full refund if you ask within 7 days.

Recalls

4 recalls on file

Not every car needs every fix. Run the VIN at NHTSA to see which are still open. Repairs are usually free at a dealer for the brand; ask before any work.

Transmission and drivetrain
Nov 15, 2019 · Recall 19V817000
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.
What can happen
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 roll away. These scenarios may increase the risk of a crash.
The fix
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. Chrysler's number for this recall is VB4.
Transmission and drivetrain
Jul 3, 2019 · Recall 19E044000
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 the set screw rather than a blind hole, which may lead to the breakage of the Shifter Shaft.
What can happen
If the shifter breaks while the vehicle is in motion, it can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix
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 1-503-505-6886.
Transmission and drivetrain
May 16, 2016 · Recall 16V302000
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.
What can happen
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.
The fix
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 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S34.
Brakes
Nov 10, 2011 · Recall 11V550000
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 system.
What can happen
This could lead to loss of braking ability increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
Chrysler will notify owners and replace all brake components that come in contact with hydraulic brake fluid. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on march 1, 2012. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

SourceRecalls listed by NHTSA for the 2012 Fiat 500. NHTSA, checked Nov 2, 2026.

Crash ratings

3 of 5 stars overall, the best of 2 versions tested

NHTSA's stars out of five, for each version it tested. Front crash stars only compare cars of about the same size and weight.

2012 Fiat 500 3 HB FWD Later Release
Overall
Front
Side
Rollover
14.7% chance of a rollover in a one car crash, by NHTSA's estimate.
Stability control
Standard
Forward collision warning
Not available
Lane departure warning
Not available
2012 Fiat 500 3 HB FWD Early Release
Overall
Front
Side

NHTSA investigations: 1

SourceNHTSA crash ratings for the 2012 Fiat 500. NHTSA, checked Nov 2, 2026.

Fuel economy

29 to 32 mpg combined, across 2 versions

The EPA's estimates for each engine and transmission, and its own yearly fuel cost. Yours depends on how you drive and the shape the car is in.

Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.4 L
500 · Front wheel drive · Premium gas
City
27 mpg
Highway
33 mpg
Combined
29 mpg
Miles per gallon. Yearly fuel, EPA$2,750
This one on fueleconomy.gov
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.4 L
500 · Front wheel drive · Premium gas
City
30 mpg
Highway
37 mpg
Combined
32 mpg
Miles per gallon. Yearly fuel, EPA$2,500
This one on fueleconomy.gov

SourceEPA fuel economy data, fueleconomy.gov. EPA, checked Oct 31, 2026.

True cost to own

The loan, fuel, insurance and upkeep, a month and over 5 years

Car Hunt Pass or Pro

What it really costs to own

What the 2012 Fiat 500 costs a month and over 5 years: the loan and its interest, fuel worked out from the EPA's figures for the version you pick, and your own insurance, registration and upkeep. A cost a mile, a link that reopens your numbers, and the breakdown copied to your phone in one tap.

See plans, from $15

Car Hunt Pass: $15 once for 30 days, a launch price. It never renews. Full refund if you ask within 7 days.

Every year of the 500

4 Worthy, 2 Maybe, 1 Pass, of 9 years on file

Owner complaints for each model year, this one outlined. Tap a year to open it. The newest 2 are not judged yet. Bars are totals, so older years stand taller; the verdict compares every year at the same age.

Best and worst years of the 500

NHTSA did not answer for 24 years, so the chart may be missing some.

SourceNHTSA owner complaints and recalls for the 500. NHTSA, checked Oct 31, 2026.

Before you buy this one

5 checks, with a close look at the transmission and drivetrain

Built from this year's numbers. Whatever the data says, the car in front of you is the one that counts.

Run the VIN at NHTSA to confirm every recall was fixed.
This year has 4 recalls on file. Recall repairs are usually free at a dealer for the brand. Ask the dealer to confirm before any work is done. Look up a VIN at NHTSA.
Ask the seller for the service records.
Look closely for any work on the transmission and drivetrain. It is the part owners complain about most for this year.
Have a mechanic you trust inspect it before you pay.
Ask them to look hard at the transmission and drivetrain. It is usually costly to fix.
Look at a vehicle history report.
It can show reported crashes, flood or salvage titles, and mileage that does not add up.
On the test drive, pay attention to the transmission and drivetrain.
Feel for slipping, hesitation, harsh or late shifts, and shudder at low speed.

Going to see it? Take the checklist52 checks with the bad signs to look for, saved on your phone.

Check this exact car

The verdict is about the model year. These checks are about the one in front of you. Most are free or a few dollars.

VIN for these checks

Copy it, then paste it into each check. Nothing is sent until you open one.

Official checks on this VIN

Open recallsFree
NHTSA
Safety recalls on this VIN that are not fixed yet, from the last 15 years.
A recall already fixed does not show.
Check recalls at NHTSAnhtsa.gov (opens in a new tab)
Theft and total lossFree
NICB VINCheck
Whether an insurer reported it stolen and not found, or wrote it off as a total loss.
Only insurer records. Five checks a day.
Open NICB VINChecknicb.org (opens in a new tab)
Title brandsA few dollars
NMVTIS, the federal title system
Salvage, flood, junk and rebuilt brands from any state, and the last miles on the title.
No repairs, service or recalls. Sold by approved sellers listed on the site.
See the approved sellersvehiclehistory.bja.ojp.gov (opens in a new tab)
Title statusVaries by state
The state motor vehicle office
Whether the title is branded in that state and, where the state offers it, whether a lender still has a lien.
It will not name the owner. Each state asks its own way, and some only by mail. Ask to see the seller’s title too.
Find your state’s officeusa.gov (opens in a new tab)

What a paid report adds

A history report such as Carfax or AutoCheck pulls in more of the car’s past than these checks can:

Crashes and damage reported by police, insurers or shops, even when it was fixed.
Service visits that shops reported, with the miles each time.
How many owners, for how long, and the states it was registered in.
Whether it was a rental, fleet or lease car, when that was reported.

It only knows what was reported to it. A clean report is not proof of a clean car. Ask the seller first: many dealers hand one over for free.

Red flags in a history

Salvage title
Usually an insurer called it a total loss. In most states it cannot be driven on the road until it is rebuilt and inspected.
Rebuilt title
A salvage car that was fixed and passed a state check. It can be fine, but it is worth less, can be harder to insure, and needs a careful inspection.
Flood damage
Water can ruin wiring and sensors months later. Be wary of a flood brand that vanished after a move to another state.
Lemon or maker buyback
The maker bought it back over a defect it could not fix. Ask what the defect was and how it was fixed.
Odometer rollback
A mileage reading lower than an earlier one, or a title marked not actual miles.
Many owners, fast
Three owners in two years can mean a problem each one passed along.
Gaps in the records
Years with no service or registration. Ask why: it may have sat, been off the road, or been rebuilt.

Title words and rules differ by state. Not legal advice.

Before you pay

Pre purchase inspection
Have a mechanic you choose, not the seller, put it on a lift and look it over before you pay.
Insurance quote
Get a quote on this exact car before you sign. Ask your own insurer and one or two others.

Model year	Owner complaints	Verdict
2011	1	Not judged
2012	396	Pass
2013	166	Maybe
2014	124	Maybe
2015	92	Worthy
2016	14	Worthy
2017	14	Worthy
2018	5	Worthy
2019	0	Not judged

The verdict on the 2012 Fiat 500

Value signals

What owners complain about

Seller kit

Write your offer

When problems show up

Will it outlast the loan?

Recalls

Transmission and drivetrain

What can happen

The fix

Transmission and drivetrain

What can happen

The fix

Transmission and drivetrain

What can happen

The fix

Brakes

What can happen

The fix

Crash ratings

2012 Fiat 500 3 HB FWD Later Release

2012 Fiat 500 3 HB FWD Early Release

Fuel economy

Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.4 L

Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.4 L

True cost to own

Every year of the 500

Before you buy this one

Check this exact car

Official checks on this VIN

What a paid report adds

Before you pay

Pre purchase inspection

Insurance quote

Transmission and drivetrain

What can happen

The fix

Transmission and drivetrain

What can happen

The fix

Transmission and drivetrain

What can happen

The fix

Brakes

What can happen

The fix

Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.4 L

Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.4 L

2012 Fiat 500 3 HB FWD Later Release

2012 Fiat 500 3 HB FWD Early Release