The 2012 Fiat 500L has 394 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are power train and electrical system. Owners most often flag severe parts availability problems: parts on indefinite backorder (e.g., lower intercooler hose), leading to repair delays of 6+ months. specific mention that stellantis/fiat no longer supports the model in north america, making parts nearly impossible to find. frequency: very frequent.
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2012 Fiat 500L vehicles (US, public record).
Across the 5 500L model years we track, complaint volume runs from 5 (2018) to 394 (2012). With 394 complaints, the 2012 500L sits abovethe model's median of 164.
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.
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 EXPERIENC…
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 …
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 fa…
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.
Owner sentiment is overwhelmingly negative, dominated by reports of persistent mechanical and electrical failures, poor reliability, and severe parts availability issues.
Owner insights cover all generations of the 500L. See the full 500L owner picture and every model year.
Compare every 500L year side by side to see how 2012 ranks against the rest.