2012 Fiat 500: common problems and reliability
· 312One of the worst 500 years.
One of the Fiat 500 years to avoid. All 500 years
788 owner complaints, most about power train. 4 recalls.
Should I buy a 2012 500?The 2012 Fiat 500 has 788 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are power train and electrical system. Owners most often flag cheap hard interior plastics and rattles.
Safety record for the 2012 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2012 Fiat 500 vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other 500 years only. How we score it
Is 2012 a good year for the 500?
Across the 8 500 model years we track, complaint volume runs from 1 (2011) to 788 (2012). With 788 complaints, the 2012 500 sits above the model's median of 272.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2012 500
service brakes, hydraulic:fluid
Campaign 11V550000CHRYSLER 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.
power train:manual transmission:floor shift assembly
Campaign 19E044000DLT, LLC. is recalling certain CravenSpeed Fiat Short Shifter shafts sold for use in 2011-2019 Fiat 500 vehicles. The Shifter Shaft may have been improperly manufactured with a through hole for the set screw rather than a blind hole, which may lead to the breakage of the Shifter Shaft.
power train:manual transmission
Campaign 16V302000Chrysler (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.
power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:floor shift
Campaign 19V817000Chrysler (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.
What owners report on the 312 500
Owners of the 2009-2026 312 Fiat 500 describe it as a genuinely fun, stylish, and lightweight car that is hard to match at its price point for driving enjoyment, with many long-term owners reporting trouble-free ownership past 100,000 miles.
- Very frequentCheap hard interior plastics and rattles
- RecurrentWindow regulator failure
- RecurrentDoor handles and seat components (seat adjustor, armrest, seatbelt casing) breaking
- RecurrentRear hatch wiring shorting so the hatch will not open
- RecurrentBulbs burning out faster than usual
Owner insights for the 312 500. Read the full 312 owner report.
Other 500 model years
Compare every 500 year side by side to see how 2012 ranks against the rest.
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