NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
395 reports48,000 miles · Jun 16, 2016
SteeringSuspensionCrash
AT 47,500 MILES AND 4 YEARS, 9 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP, MY PASSENGER SIDE LOWER FRONT BALL JOINT BROKE. THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF PROBLEMS LEADING UP TO THE BREAKAGE. UNFORTUNATELY FIAT NO LONGER MAKES THE 2012 LOWER FRONT BALL JOINTS AND THE 2013+ BALL JOINTS REQUIRE A NEW ASSEMBLY SO THE ENTIRE BALL JOINT, CONTROL ARM, ETC. ASSEMBL…
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AT 47,500 MILES AND 4 YEARS, 9 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP, MY PASSENGER SIDE LOWER FRONT BALL JOINT BROKE. THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF PROBLEMS LEADING UP TO THE BREAKAGE. UNFORTUNATELY FIAT NO LONGER MAKES THE 2012 LOWER FRONT BALL JOINTS AND THE 2013+ BALL JOINTS REQUIRE A NEW ASSEMBLY SO THE ENTIRE BALL JOINT, CONTROL ARM, ETC. ASSEMBLY HAS TO BE CREATED.
NHTSA ODI #10874631
56,400 miles · Jun 12, 2016
Power Train
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND ATTEMPTED TO DOWNSHIFT WHILE APPROACHING AN EXIT. MY CLUTCH BECAME STIFF AND NOT RESPONSIVE. I WAS UNABLE TO DEPRESS THE CLUTCH TO CHANGE GEARS. WHILE STRUGGLING TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE OUT OF GEAR AND COAST TO THE SIDE OF HIGHWAY AT THE BASE OF THE EXIT …
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I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND ATTEMPTED TO DOWNSHIFT WHILE APPROACHING AN EXIT. MY CLUTCH BECAME STIFF AND NOT RESPONSIVE. I WAS UNABLE TO DEPRESS THE CLUTCH TO CHANGE GEARS. WHILE STRUGGLING TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE OUT OF GEAR AND COAST TO THE SIDE OF HIGHWAY AT THE BASE OF THE EXIT RAMP. I TURNED THE CAR OFF TO CALM DOWN, SINCE I LUCKILY AVOIDED ANY MAJOR ACCIDENT. A POLICE CAR DROVE BY AND STOPPED TO ASK ME IF I WAS OK AND I SAID I WAS FINE. I WAS UNABLE TO GET MY CAR INTO GEAR AFTER THAT AND HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO A GARAGE. THE MECHANIC AT THE GARAGE SAID THE CLUTCH HAD FAILED. A QUICK CHECK SHOWED THAT THIS MAKE AND MODEL WERE SUBJECT TO AN UPCOMING RECALL, SO I HAD THE CAR TOWED FROM THE GARAGE TO A FIAT DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE CLUTCH DIAPHRAGM SPRING FAILED AND DAMAGED THE CLUTCH. REPAIR BILLS ATTACHED. REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO GET A CLEAR ANSWER ON THE SCOPE OF THE RECALL WERE UNSUCCESSFUL.
NHTSA ODI #10873769
70,000 miles · Jun 8, 2016
Air BagsPower TrainService Brakes
WARNING SAYS AIRBAG MALFUNCTION,ALL THE TIME.BRAKES WEAR EVERY 1000 MILES.WHEEL BEARINGS WENT OUT AT 70,000 MILES..THESE MALFUNCTIONS HAPPEN WHEN MOVING...
NHTSA ODI #10873315
46,383 miles · Jun 7, 2016
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. WHILE PULLING INTO A STORE PARKING LOT, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE. AFTER AN ATTEMPT TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE OUT OF GEAR, IT WOULD NOT SHIFT. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE SHIFTED INTO THE CORRECT GEAR. ONCE THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. WHILE PULLING INTO A STORE PARKING LOT, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE. AFTER AN ATTEMPT TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE OUT OF GEAR, IT WOULD NOT SHIFT. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE SHIFTED INTO THE CORRECT GEAR. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE SHIFTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PRESSURE PLATE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V302000 (POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 46,383.
NHTSA ODI #10873015
26,000 miles · Jun 4, 2016
Power Train
THIS VEHICLE IS 4 YEARS OLD, MANUAL TRANSMISSION, WITH APPROXIMATELY 26,000 MILES. IT HAS HAD REGULAR SERVICE FOR OIL CHANGES AND MAINTENANCE. I HAD BEEN DRIVING THE CAR WITHOUT INCIDENT. WHILE EXITING THE HIGHWAY THERE WAS RESISTANCE ON THE CLUTCH WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL. AT THE BOTTOM OF THE EXIT RAMP I WAS UNABLE TO ENG…
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THIS VEHICLE IS 4 YEARS OLD, MANUAL TRANSMISSION, WITH APPROXIMATELY 26,000 MILES. IT HAS HAD REGULAR SERVICE FOR OIL CHANGES AND MAINTENANCE. I HAD BEEN DRIVING THE CAR WITHOUT INCIDENT. WHILE EXITING THE HIGHWAY THERE WAS RESISTANCE ON THE CLUTCH WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL. AT THE BOTTOM OF THE EXIT RAMP I WAS UNABLE TO ENGAGE THE CLUTCH AND COULD NOT GET THE CAR IN GEAR. I WAS ABLE TO AVOID OTHER VEHICLES, AND HAD A GREEN LIGHT. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE THE LEFT HAND TURN WHILE COASTING AND STOPPED THE CAR UNDER THE HIGHWAY OVERPASS WHERE I WAITED FOR A TOW TRUCK. THIS IS A FAIRLY HIGH-TRAFFIC AREA AND OTHER CARS WERE UNABLE TO SEE MY CAR UNTIL AFTER MAKING THE LEFT HAND TURN OFF OF THE EXIT RAMP. THE DEALERSHIP STATES THAT THE CAR NEEDS A FLYWHEEL, CLUTCH BEARING AND PRESSURE DISC PLATE. I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE HAVE BEEN SIMILAR COMPLAINTS WITH FIAT500S WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS. TO DATE, THERE IS STILL NO RECALL ATTACHED TO THE VIN NUMBER AND FIAT CUSTOMER SERVICE HAS NOT BEEN RESPONSIVE TO REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE. ANY ADDITIONAL NHTSA ATTENTION TO THESE APPARENT MANUFACTURING DEFECTS WOULD BE APPRECIATED. THANK YOU.
NHTSA ODI #10872545
34,769 miles · May 11, 2016
Power Train
THE PRESSURED PLATE FAIL AT 34769 K, ( WAS OVER 3 YEARS WARRANTY) I HAVE TO PAY FOR A TOWN COMPANY TO MOVE IT TO MY MECHANIC. ALSO Y HAVE A REAMPLACE AND COST ME $ 1742.90
NHTSA ODI #10864492
29,600 miles · May 11, 2016
EnginePower Train
TOOK CAR IN FOR SERVICE WITH 29,600 MILES ON IT. WAS TOLD IT NEEDED NEW VALVE COVER GASKET, BOTH CV BOOTS REPLACED, AND BOTH TRANSMISSION OUTPUT SEALS REPLACED. I HAD ALREADY REPLACED ONE TRANSMISSION OUTPUT SEAL AT 22,000 MILES. TOTAL COST $900 ALL OUT OF WARRANTY. I'VE ALREADY FILED A COMPLAINT ABOUT HAVING TO REPLACE THE CLUT…
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TOOK CAR IN FOR SERVICE WITH 29,600 MILES ON IT. WAS TOLD IT NEEDED NEW VALVE COVER GASKET, BOTH CV BOOTS REPLACED, AND BOTH TRANSMISSION OUTPUT SEALS REPLACED. I HAD ALREADY REPLACED ONE TRANSMISSION OUTPUT SEAL AT 22,000 MILES. TOTAL COST $900 ALL OUT OF WARRANTY. I'VE ALREADY FILED A COMPLAINT ABOUT HAVING TO REPLACE THE CLUTCH. SEEMS THERE ARE A LOT OF ISSUES WITH THIS CAR.
NHTSA ODI #10864406
88,000 miles · May 9, 2016
Unknown Or Other
I GOT A FLAT TIRE ON A PRIMITIVE ROAD ON THE WAY BACK FROM A HIKE. I THOUGHT I WAS PREPARED FOR THIS, BECAUSE I HAD A SPARE TIRE AND ALL THE EQUIPMENT TO CHANGE IT. HOWEVER THE DEVICE THAT DEPLOYS THE SPARE WAS BROKEN. I HAD TO DRIVE THE LAST 1.5 MILES ON THE PRIMITIVE ROAD TO GET TO A PLACE WHERE A MECHANIC WOLD FIND MY CAR. FR…
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I GOT A FLAT TIRE ON A PRIMITIVE ROAD ON THE WAY BACK FROM A HIKE. I THOUGHT I WAS PREPARED FOR THIS, BECAUSE I HAD A SPARE TIRE AND ALL THE EQUIPMENT TO CHANGE IT. HOWEVER THE DEVICE THAT DEPLOYS THE SPARE WAS BROKEN. I HAD TO DRIVE THE LAST 1.5 MILES ON THE PRIMITIVE ROAD TO GET TO A PLACE WHERE A MECHANIC WOLD FIND MY CAR. FROM THE MAIN ROAD I STILL NEEDED A STRANGER TO DRIVE ME 7 MILES UPHILL TO GET CELL SERVICE. I WAS IN A VERY DANGEROUS TOWN AND IT WAS GETTING DARK OUT. BUT EVEN ONCE THE MECHANIC ARRIVED HE WAS UNABLE TO ACCESS THE SPARE. DUE TO THE SPARE NOT RELEASING AND HAVING TO DRIVE AN EXTRA MILE AFTER GETTING A FLAT TIRE I NOW HAVE A BENT RIM AS WELL. I HAD TO GET RIDES FROM THREE STRANGERS, AND SPEND THE NIGHT IN A SKETCHY HOTEL.
NHTSA ODI #10864052
28,488 miles · Apr 27, 2016
EnginePower TrainSuspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE RESET. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED WITH AN ABNORMAL SOUND EMITTING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE RESET. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED WITH AN ABNORMAL SOUND EMITTING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,488. ....UPDATED 07/05/16 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AFTER RECEIVING A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE TRANSMISSION. HOWEVER, THE DEALER INFORMED HER, THE BACK UP DEVICE WAS NOT WORKING. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE SUSPENSION. IT FELT AS THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS GOING TO TURN OVER. UPDATED 07/21/16.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10861706
65,000 miles · Apr 23, 2016
Exterior Lighting
THE REAR LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS HAVE FAILED. THE LED BULBS ARE FUNCTIONAL, BUT THE WIRING HARNESS PROVIDING POWER TO THE LIGHTS HAS FAILED DUE POOR ROUTING OF THE HARNESS RESULTING IN BROKEN WIRES AND ELECTRICAL SHORTS TO THE SYSTEM. OTHER SIMILAR MAKE AND MODELS OF THIS CAR HAVE SUFFERED THE SAME PROBLEM. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT C…
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THE REAR LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS HAVE FAILED. THE LED BULBS ARE FUNCTIONAL, BUT THE WIRING HARNESS PROVIDING POWER TO THE LIGHTS HAS FAILED DUE POOR ROUTING OF THE HARNESS RESULTING IN BROKEN WIRES AND ELECTRICAL SHORTS TO THE SYSTEM. OTHER SIMILAR MAKE AND MODELS OF THIS CAR HAVE SUFFERED THE SAME PROBLEM. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CONSIDERERS THIS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. I CONSIDER THIS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT. IF THIS PROBLEM AFFECTED THE HEADLIGHTS, THIS COULD BE A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI #10861049
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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