Recalls (3)
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2012 Fiat 500. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗Shifter Cable Bushing May Detach From Transmission
- Summary
- 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.
Clutch Diaphragm Spring May Fracture
- Summary
- 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
- 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.
BRAKE FLUID
- Summary
- 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
- 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.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (396)
396 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The power train is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 396 |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 201 | 50.8% |
| Electrical system | 63 | 15.9% |
| Engine | 51 | 12.9% |
| Unknown or other | 36 | 9.1% |
| Air bags | 32 | 8.1% |
| Suspension | 21 | 5.3% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 19 | 4.8% |
| Steering | 19 | 4.8% |
| Service brakes | 13 | 3.3% |
| Exterior lighting | 12 | 3% |
How 2012 compares with other 500 years
Best and worst 500 years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 1 | 0 |
| 2012 | 396 | 3 |
| 2013 | 165 | 3 |
| 2014 | 124 | 3 |
| 2015 | 92 | 3 |
| 2016 | 14 | 3 |
| 2017 | 14 | 1 |
| 2018 | 5 | 1 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Crash tests: 3 stars overall
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2012 Fiat 500 3 hb fwd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 32 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $2,550
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 278 g/mi
- EPA class
- Minicompact Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 32 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 30 / 37 / 32 | $2,550 | 278 |
| 1.4 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 28 / 33 / 30 | $2,750 | 296 |
| 1.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 27 / 33 / 29 | $2,850 | 306 |
| 1.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 27 / 32 / 29 | $2,850 | 306 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2012 500 for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2012 Fiat 500 FAQ
How many recalls does the 2012 Fiat 500 have?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns: 19V817000 (power train), 16V302000 (power train), 11V550000 (brake). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2012 Fiat 500 problems?
Owners filed 396 complaints with NHTSA. Power train (201), Electrical system (63), Engine (51) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2012 Fiat 500 get?
EPA rates the 1.4 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 30 city, 37 highway and 32 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
What safety rating did the 2012 Fiat 500 get?
NHTSA rated the 2012 Fiat 500 3 hb fwd 3 stars overall, with 4 stars frontal, 2 stars side and 4 stars rollover (14.5% rollover risk).
How does the 2012 500 compare with other years?
Among the 2011–2018 Fiat 500 model years at least five years old, the 2011 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 2012 the most (396). The 2012 drew 396. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.