NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Air Bags complaints
10 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Sep 23, 2021
Air Bags
The airbag warning light comes on intermittently with nothing on the passenger seat and a message that says "airbag service required" also appears intermittently. Dealership was unable to diagnose ("never seen this issue before"}, escalated to STAR (STAR case 101975980). STAR could not diagnose and requested that the tech perfor…
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The airbag warning light comes on intermittently with nothing on the passenger seat and a message that says "airbag service required" also appears intermittently. Dealership was unable to diagnose ("never seen this issue before"}, escalated to STAR (STAR case 101975980). STAR could not diagnose and requested that the tech perform a teardown to try to figure out what was wrong. The dealership wanted to do this at my expense ($360 just to perform the tear down. Actual repair cost unknown.) I do not feel that a customer should have to cover the cost for a manufacturer to find out what is wrong with their vehicle when the error is something that they are not familiar with and cannot diagnose and was not caused by the owner, especially when it is related to safety equipment and the proper functioning of that equipment.
NHTSA ODI #11434137
83,000 miles · Sep 12, 2019
Air BagsSeat Belts
DEFECT IN MANUFACTURE OF THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT LATCH CAUSES THE SEAT BELT TO FAIL, (NO LONGER LATCH), WHICH IN TURN CAUSES THE AIR BAG TO DISABLE WHILE THE DRIVER IS IN THEIR SEAT AND THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. FAILURE OCCURS AT ANY SPEED. EXPOSES DRIVER AND FRONT-SEAT PASSENGER TO DANGER OF SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH IN THE CAS…
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DEFECT IN MANUFACTURE OF THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT LATCH CAUSES THE SEAT BELT TO FAIL, (NO LONGER LATCH), WHICH IN TURN CAUSES THE AIR BAG TO DISABLE WHILE THE DRIVER IS IN THEIR SEAT AND THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. FAILURE OCCURS AT ANY SPEED. EXPOSES DRIVER AND FRONT-SEAT PASSENGER TO DANGER OF SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA ODI #11255158
29,000 miles · Jun 19, 2019
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2013 FIAT 500. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH ON A STRAIGHT AWAY, ANOTHER VEHICLE CAME OUT FROM A SIDE STREET. THE OTHER VEHICLE CRASHED HEAD ON IN THE CONTACT'S FRONT. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT. AS A RESULT, OF THE CRASH THE CONTACT SUSTAINED AN INJURY ON A CARTILAGE ON HER STERN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2013 FIAT 500. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH ON A STRAIGHT AWAY, ANOTHER VEHICLE CAME OUT FROM A SIDE STREET. THE OTHER VEHICLE CRASHED HEAD ON IN THE CONTACT'S FRONT. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT. AS A RESULT, OF THE CRASH THE CONTACT SUSTAINED AN INJURY ON A CARTILAGE ON HER STERNUM, FOREHEAD BRUISE FROM THE SUN VISOR ALONE WITH BRUISES ON THE ARM, CHEST, RIBS, AND BACK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION AT AN EMERGENCY FACILITY. THE PERSON THAT CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED AND DIDN'T NEED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE OTHER PARTIES INSURANCE DEEMED THE VEHICLE TOTALED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THEY PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.
NHTSA ODI #11221179
77,000 miles · Nov 9, 2018
Air BagsCrash
TAKATA RECALL - WE HIT A DEER WITH OUR 2013 FIAT 500 LOUNGE WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. OVER $5,000 IN DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF THE CAR. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED.
NHTSA ODI #11150242
41,000 miles · Apr 26, 2017
Air BagsUnknown Or OtherCrash
WE HAD A SEVERE ACCIDENT ON INTERSTATE 405 WHERE A LARGE SUV HIT US FROM BEHIND AT SPEED AND PUSHED US INTO A STATIONARY TRUCK. BOTH THE REAR AND FRONT OF THE CAR WERE SEVERELY DAMAGED. WE WERE MODERATELY INJURED. WERE GIVEN FIRST AID BY PARAMEDICS AND WE CHOSE NOT TO GO TO EMERGENCY AND GO TO URGENT CARE INSTEAD.
NHTSA ODI #10980843
50,000 miles · Dec 7, 2016
Air BagsCrashInjury
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 FIAT 500. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE SWERVED TO AVOID A DEER. THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER SEVERAL TIMES. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE ETS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE CRASH. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK, A CONCUSSION, AND MUSCLE SPASMS THROUGHOUT TH…
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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 FIAT 500. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE SWERVED TO AVOID A DEER. THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER SEVERAL TIMES. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE ETS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE CRASH. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK, A CONCUSSION, AND MUSCLE SPASMS THROUGHOUT THE BODY. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000.
NHTSA ODI #10933725
22,000 miles · Sep 14, 2016
Air BagsCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 FIAT 500. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED BY THE CURB IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE AND CAUSED IT TO EXPLODE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE CONTACT RECEIVE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 FIAT 500. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED BY THE CURB IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE AND CAUSED IT TO EXPLODE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V302000 (POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10906445
20,000 miles · Apr 21, 2015
Air BagsStructureCrashInjury
EXPRESSWAY DRIVING AT 55MPH WHEN TRAFFIC CAME TO AN ABRUPT HALT. HARD BREAKING TRANSPIRED, ATTEMPT AT EVASION, RESULTING IN A FRONT IMPACT INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND THEN A REBOUND IMPACT INTO A RETAINMENT WALL ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. NONE OF THE 7 AIRBAGS DEPLOYED...UPDATED 05/07/15 *BF UPDATED 9/16/2015 *JS *TR
NHTSA ODI #10712093
14,649 miles · Jul 20, 2014
Air BagsCrashInjury
MY 2013 FIAT 500 WAS HIT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE CAR. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND I BROKE MY ARM AND HAD A HEAD INJURY... UPDATED 08-20-14 *BF--UPDATED 08-26-14*BF UPDATED 09/2/2014 *JS
NHTSA ODI #10614805
13,300 miles · Oct 30, 2013
Air Bags
EXPERIENCED REPEATED FAILURE OF THE AIR BAG SAFETY SYSTEM. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN FOR REPAIR FOUR TIMES AND FAILURE REOCCURED AT BETWEEN 1 AND 80 MILES DISABELING THE AIR BAG SAFETY SYSTEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10550172
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.
May 18, 2015
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Fiat 500 battery electric vehicles manufactured March 8, 2013, to March 7, 2015. The Electric Vehicle Control Unit (EVCU) of the affected vehicles may set a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) that may cause the transmission to unexpectedly shift to neutral.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the vehicle unexpectedly shifts to neutral, the loss of drive could increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EVCU, free of charge. The recall began June 19, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R20.
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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