NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
395 reportsMileage unknown · Sep 19, 2013
Suspension
MY FIAT 500 HAS A DEFECTIVE REAR AXLE. THE REAR WHEELS ARE NOT IN ALIGNMENT. THE AXLE IS SOLID AND HAS NO ADJUSTMENT, THEREFORE IT IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THE REAR WHEELS ARE TOED IN EXCESSIVELY WHICH HAS LED TO PREMATURE TIRE WEAR, VIBRATION AND INFERIOR FUEL MILEAGE. THIS IS A COMMON DEFECT ON MANY EARLY 500'S AND THE DEALE…
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MY FIAT 500 HAS A DEFECTIVE REAR AXLE. THE REAR WHEELS ARE NOT IN ALIGNMENT. THE AXLE IS SOLID AND HAS NO ADJUSTMENT, THEREFORE IT IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THE REAR WHEELS ARE TOED IN EXCESSIVELY WHICH HAS LED TO PREMATURE TIRE WEAR, VIBRATION AND INFERIOR FUEL MILEAGE. THIS IS A COMMON DEFECT ON MANY EARLY 500'S AND THE DEALER REFUSES TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10544416
9,500 miles · Sep 14, 2013
Engine And Engine Cooling
I PURCHASED VEHICLE CERTIFIED USED 20 JAN 2013. THE FIRST DAY OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, I NOTICED A STRONG BURNING SMELL INSIDE THE CABIN. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP 8 TIMES AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CANNOT RESOLVE THE ISSUE. I HAVE OPENED A CASE WITH CHRYSLER/ FIAT RESOLUTION TEAM. THE CUSTOM…
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I PURCHASED VEHICLE CERTIFIED USED 20 JAN 2013. THE FIRST DAY OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, I NOTICED A STRONG BURNING SMELL INSIDE THE CABIN. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP 8 TIMES AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CANNOT RESOLVE THE ISSUE. I HAVE OPENED A CASE WITH CHRYSLER/ FIAT RESOLUTION TEAM. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE IS HORRIBLE! THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY WERE SENDING AN ENGINEER TO SERVICE THE CAR. AN ENGINEER WAS SUPPOSE TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE THIS WEEK AND THEY NEVER SHOWED UP. THE SERVICE REP AT THE DEALERSHIP RECALLED THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD THE SAME ISSUE BEFORE TRADING IT IN. THAT INFO WAS NOT DISCLOSED TO ME BEFORE PURCHASING. DEALERSHIP WILL NOT TAKE THE CAR BACK OR REPLACE IT, HEADQUARTERS INTERVENTION IS NOT PROACTIVE. THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10543591
25,114 miles · Sep 11, 2013
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500 SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND THE GENERIC WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS M…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500 SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND THE GENERIC WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,114.
NHTSA ODI #10543024
39,000 miles · Aug 22, 2013
Electrical SystemPower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE KEY BECOME STUCK IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000.
NHTSA ODI #10536743
25,000 miles · Jul 29, 2013
Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, OIL LEAKED FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE REAR MAIN SEAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILUR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, OIL LEAKED FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE REAR MAIN SEAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.
NHTSA ODI #10532407
1,100 miles · Jun 23, 2013
Visibility
DRIVER-SIDE SIDE MIRROR VIBRATES MAKING THE OBJECTS IN THE MIRROR BLURRY AND THIS IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE. IT IS THE 500C FIAT VIN [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10521243
4,000 miles · Jun 11, 2013
Electrical SystemFire
I OWN A 2012 FIAT POP THAT I PURCHASED NEW ABOUT A YEAR AGO. ONE THING THAT DID NOT GO AWAY AND WAS EVER PRESENT AT ANY TIME WAS THE LIMP MODE FOR THE ENGINE OVER THE LAST FEW DAYS. RECYCLING DID NOT WORK TO CORRECT PROBLEM AND GAUGES WERE OUT. THE INDICATOR LIGHT ON PANEL SHOWED IN LIMP MODE WHEN IT WORKED. GAUGES KEPT GOING O…
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I OWN A 2012 FIAT POP THAT I PURCHASED NEW ABOUT A YEAR AGO. ONE THING THAT DID NOT GO AWAY AND WAS EVER PRESENT AT ANY TIME WAS THE LIMP MODE FOR THE ENGINE OVER THE LAST FEW DAYS. RECYCLING DID NOT WORK TO CORRECT PROBLEM AND GAUGES WERE OUT. THE INDICATOR LIGHT ON PANEL SHOWED IN LIMP MODE WHEN IT WORKED. GAUGES KEPT GOING ON AND OFF SOMETIMES FOR SHORT PERIODS AND OTHER TIMES FOR LONGER PERIODS. ON 6/10/13 MY VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE IN THE DASHBOARD. I WAS TRAVELING BACK FROM THE STORE IN LIMP MODE HOPING IT WOULD GO OUT BUT NEVER DID.I PARKED THE CAR IN FRONT OF MY DEVELOPMENT POOL AND WENT TO VISIT MY EMPLOYEE THERE. WITHIN ABOUT 5 MINUTES OR SO SHE SAID THAT MY LIGHTS WERE FLASHING. I CHECKED AND WENT TO THE VEHICLE. IT WAS ENGULFED WITH SMOKE AND A NASTY ELECTRICAL SMELL. FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME. I WAS TOLD THAT I HAD TO WAIT FOR THE FIRE INSPECTOR TO COME AND EXAMINE MY VEHICLE. HE CAME. BEGAN TEARING MY DASHBOARD APART TO FIND THE CAUSE OR SOURCE OF THE FIRE. IT WAS DETERMINED BY HIS KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE THAT THE BODY CONTROL UNIT HAD FAILED AND CAUSED THE FIRE. VEHICLE IS TOTALED. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY ABOUT 4000 MILES ON IT. EARLIER THAT DAY BEFORE THE INCIDENT I HAD CALLED THE LOCAL FIAT DEALER. EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM OF THE GAUGES NOT WORKING, AND LIMP MODE, I ASKED IF IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE AND HE SAID YES. AT THIS POINT I MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE LOOKED AT HOPEFULLY THAT DAY. ONLY OPENING WAS NEXT DAY AT 2PM. I HAVE FILED AN INSURANCE CLAIM AND THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TOWED AWAY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10516179
20,000 miles · May 9, 2013
Air BagsCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500C. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE FRONT FENDER AND THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A MILD CONCUSSION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHIC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500C. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE FRONT FENDER AND THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A MILD CONCUSSION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
NHTSA ODI #10511307
9,100 miles · Apr 21, 2013
Air BagsSeat BeltsStructureCrashInjury
A VEHICLE IN THE RIGHT LANE MADE A U-TURN, CROSSING THE LEFT LANE CAUSING THE FIAT TO T-BONE THE VEHICLE MAKING THE U-TURN. THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN THE FIAT DRIVER AND THE DRIVER CONTACTED THE STEERING WHEEL WITH ENOUGH FORCE TO CAUSE A SIGNIFICANT COMPRESSION INJURY TO THE STERNUM. THE DRIVER WAS TRANSPORTED BY EMS TO A …
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A VEHICLE IN THE RIGHT LANE MADE A U-TURN, CROSSING THE LEFT LANE CAUSING THE FIAT TO T-BONE THE VEHICLE MAKING THE U-TURN. THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN THE FIAT DRIVER AND THE DRIVER CONTACTED THE STEERING WHEEL WITH ENOUGH FORCE TO CAUSE A SIGNIFICANT COMPRESSION INJURY TO THE STERNUM. THE DRIVER WAS TRANSPORTED BY EMS TO A HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DRIVEN AND SUFFERED NEARLY $13,000 DAMAGE. EARLIER IN THE DRIVE, THE FIAT 500 DRIVER HAD TO ROCK FORWARD AT AN ON-RAMP TO RELEASE THE SEAT BELT IN ORDER TO VIEW APPROACHING TRAFFIC VIA THE LEFT OUTSIDE MIRROR. APPARENTLY, THE SEAT BELT DOES NOT OR DID NOT REENGAGE AFTER THIS MOVEMENT LEAVING IT FREE AND THE DRIVER UNRESTRAINED. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10508974
3,000 miles · Mar 26, 2013
Visibility
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN USING THE WINDOW SWITCH FOR THE WINDOW TO CLOSE UPWARD, THE WINDOW WOULD INSTEAD OPEN FARTHER AND TRAVEL DOWNWARD. WHEN THE WINDOW WAS ENGAGED TO BE OPENED, THE WINDOW WOULD INSTEAD TRAVEL UPWARD AND CLOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN USING THE WINDOW SWITCH FOR THE WINDOW TO CLOSE UPWARD, THE WINDOW WOULD INSTEAD OPEN FARTHER AND TRAVEL DOWNWARD. WHEN THE WINDOW WAS ENGAGED TO BE OPENED, THE WINDOW WOULD INSTEAD TRAVEL UPWARD AND CLOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BUILT TO OPERATE IN THE MANNER IN WHICH IT WAS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE TO THE CONTACT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 3,000. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10504574
Official recalls
3Nov 15, 2019
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
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. Chrysler's number for this recall is VB4.
Additional source detail variants (2)
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 transmission.
Consequence: 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.
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. Chrysler's number for this recall is VB4.
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.
Consequence: 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.
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. Chrysler's number for this recall is VB4.
May 16, 2016
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S34.
Nov 10, 2011
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1EA19001 · Electrical Overstress
Opened Apr 19, 2019 · Closed Sep 19, 2024
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manufactured by ZF-TRW. The ECU receives signals from crash sensors mounted in the vehicle and deploys the vehicle air bags and seat belt pretensioners in accordance with manufacturer design specifications. The ECU in the subject vehicles contains a model DS84 application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) which controls the communication of the crash sensor signal, firing commands (i.e., when to deploy the airbag(s) and/or pretensioners), and fault information (e.g., diagnostic trouble codes). In September 2016, FCA announced recall 16V-668 for certain model year (MY) 2010 to 2014 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep products manufactured with the subject ZF-TRW ACU. In this recall, FCA discussed an EOS condition that resulted in a failure of the subject DS84 ASIC, which caused air bag non-deployment. FCA noted that the defect condition had only been observed in vehicles equipped with sensor harnessing routed across the front of the vehicle. Other FCA vehicles that also used the subject ACU, but were not equipped with cross-car harnessing, had not experienced EOS failures, despite similar time in service. During the course of this investigation, ODI sent two separate Information Request (IR) letters to six vehicle manufactures (including FCA, Hyundai, Honda, Kia, Mitsubishi, and Toyota) and one IR letter to ZF-TRW. These IR letters resulted in ODI receiving comprehensive data from these manufacturers and suppliers. Studies of this data found that the DS84 ASIC does not have sufficient protection against negative electrical transients or electrical overstress (“EOS”) that can be generated in certain severe crashes. An electrical transient occurs when the electrical power supplied to a circuit changes momentarily over a short duration of time. In these severe crash cases, the crash sensors and other powered wiring can be damaged and short circuited so as to create a negative electrical transient of sufficient intensity and duration (that are outside the vehicle manufacturer's specification) to damage the ASIC before the restraint device deployment signal is received by the SRS ECU. This damaged signal can lead to incomplete or nondeployment of the air bags and/or pretensioners. Airbag non-deployment and/or lack of pretensioner operation can increase the risk or severity of injury in a crash.A total of 8 fatalities and 14 injuries were associated with known EOS events. The common element in all investigated manufacturers vehicles is the SRS ECU containing a DS84 ASIC manufactured by ZF-TRW. The risk associated with the ASIC is equally shared among all OEMS involved in the investigation. The actual real-world risk can be mitigated by other factors which were assessed by ODI during this investigation. The first mitigating factor involves protections built into the ACU design which protect the DS84 ASIC from damage. There are multiple strategies and levels of protection employed by different OEMs that provide effective EOS mitigation. The two most common strategies at the ACU level are circuit protection diodes on the remote senor signal lines, and current limiting resistors that protect critical components. The second mitigating factor is found at the vehicle level and involves the location and routing of the wires leading from the crash sensors to the SRS ECU. If the wires are well protected in a crash and are not routed with other power wires carrying large currents, the risk for an EOS event is significantly reduced or eliminated. These design specific factors combine to produce a spectrum of risk for the vehicles equipped with ACUs using the DS84 ASIC. Given the many of years of field exposure, it is possible to divide the subject population into two groups; vehicles which have experienced EOS events, and vehicles which have not experienced EOS field events. Four of the six OEMs involved in this investigation have experienced EOS field events on at least one of their models equipped with a DS84 ASIC. All vehicle models (including the Toyota models identified in the Failure Report Summary of the opening resume for this investigation) with field events have been recalled. In an abundance of caution, ODI kept this investigation open five years to monitor field performance and did not identify any field events on vehicles not included in existing safety recalls. Given the spectrum of risk identified in this investigation and that all vehicles with a demonstrated unreasonable risk have been recalled, ODI is closing this investigation. ODI is closing this investigation with the following manufacturer safety recalls: 16V-668, 18E-043, 18V-137, 18V-363, and 20V-024. With the recall actions taken by the subject vehicle and equipment manufacturers, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exists on other model or model year vehicles outside of the recall scopes. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.
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