NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
395 reports45,000 miles · Aug 9, 2016
Power Train
FIAT 500 RECALL. FIAT RECALLED MY VEHICLE IN JUNE OF 2016 FOR A DEFECT IN THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION THAT "COULD CAUSE A CRASH." IT IS AUGUST OF 2016 AND FIAT HAS NO DATE FOR WHEN THE PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE, NOR ARE THEY WILLING TO ADVISE HOW LONG IT MIGHT BE. I FIND THIS UNACCEPTABLE TO BE DRIVING A CAR THAT COULD CRASH "WITHOUT …
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FIAT 500 RECALL. FIAT RECALLED MY VEHICLE IN JUNE OF 2016 FOR A DEFECT IN THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION THAT "COULD CAUSE A CRASH." IT IS AUGUST OF 2016 AND FIAT HAS NO DATE FOR WHEN THE PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE, NOR ARE THEY WILLING TO ADVISE HOW LONG IT MIGHT BE. I FIND THIS UNACCEPTABLE TO BE DRIVING A CAR THAT COULD CRASH "WITHOUT WARNING" YET NO PLAN IS IN PLACE TO REMEDY THE SITUATION. PLEASE INVESTIGATE WHAT IS TAKING SO LONG.
NHTSA ODI #10894357
Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 2016
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V302000 (POWER TRAIN) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE IS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V302000 (POWER TRAIN) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10894307
47,700 miles · Aug 5, 2016
Wheels
REAR WHEEL BEARING FAILURE: AT 47,700 MILES AND 4 YEARS 4 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE OF MY 2012 FIAT 500 (4 MONTHS PAST WARRANTY), THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING HAS FAILED AND THE LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARING IS FAILING. NORMALLY OEM WHEEL BEARINGS SHOULD LAST OVER 100,000 MILES. IN MY 50 YEARS DRIVING, I HAVE NEVER HAD A VEHICLE IN WHI…
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REAR WHEEL BEARING FAILURE: AT 47,700 MILES AND 4 YEARS 4 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE OF MY 2012 FIAT 500 (4 MONTHS PAST WARRANTY), THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING HAS FAILED AND THE LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARING IS FAILING. NORMALLY OEM WHEEL BEARINGS SHOULD LAST OVER 100,000 MILES. IN MY 50 YEARS DRIVING, I HAVE NEVER HAD A VEHICLE IN WHICH THE WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED AT SUCH A LOW MILEAGE.
NHTSA ODI #10893611
48,099 miles · Aug 3, 2016
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE GEAR SHIFTER REMAINED IN FIRST GEAR AND THE CLUTCH PEDAL FAILED TO FUNCTION. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE OUT OF FIRST GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE GEAR SHIFTER REMAINED IN FIRST GEAR AND THE CLUTCH PEDAL FAILED TO FUNCTION. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE OUT OF FIRST GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V302000 (POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,099.
NHTSA ODI #10892894
Mileage unknown · Aug 1, 2016
Power TrainService BrakesVehicle Speed Control
FAILED CLUTCH COVER DIAPHRAGM SPRING MAY RESULT IN THE INABILITY TO DISENGAGE THE CLUTCH, SHIFT GEARS AND THE POTENTIAL FOR A LOSS OF MOTIVE POWERWHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. NO ACCIDENTS TO REPORT
NHTSA ODI #10892203
Mileage unknown · Aug 1, 2016
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V302000 (POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTAC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V302000 (POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 09/01/16.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10892145
15,335 miles · Jul 28, 2016
Power Train
2012 FIAT 500. CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR CLUTCH FAILURE RECALL REPAIRS. RECALL # 16V302000. *SMD THE CONSUMER IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT, FOR TWO CLUTCH REPAIRS. THE ADVISOR ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH HER OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. CHRYSLER/FIAT AGREED TO A GOOD WILL REPAIR WITH A $250 DEDUCTIBLE. …
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2012 FIAT 500. CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR CLUTCH FAILURE RECALL REPAIRS. RECALL # 16V302000. *SMD THE CONSUMER IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT, FOR TWO CLUTCH REPAIRS. THE ADVISOR ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH HER OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. CHRYSLER/FIAT AGREED TO A GOOD WILL REPAIR WITH A $250 DEDUCTIBLE. WHEN THE CLUTCH FAILED, IT LEFT THE CONSUMER UNABLE TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE IN THE MIDDLE OF A FIVE LANE ROAD. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. THE SECOND TIME, THE CONSUMER WAS STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET, UNABLE TO SHIFT. ONCE AGAIN, THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10891407
88,000 miles · Jul 26, 2016
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE, THE CLUTCH FRACTURED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V302000 (POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER, THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WANTED THE CONTA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE, THE CLUTCH FRACTURED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V302000 (POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER, THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WANTED THE CONTACT TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR BECAUSE IT WAS FRACTURED AND UNABLE TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 88,000.
NHTSA ODI #10888744
Mileage unknown · Jul 26, 2016
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V302000 (POWER TRAIN) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V302000 (POWER TRAIN) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 09/22/16*LJ *CN
NHTSA ODI #10888618
Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 2016
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V302000 (POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER, THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE....UPDATED 09/12/16 *BF THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V302000 (POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER, THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE....UPDATED 09/12/16 *BF THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL REGARDING THE AIR BAGS. HOWEVER, THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 08/16/16.*JB *CN
NHTSA ODI #10888329
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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