FIAT 500 problems
394 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
- Electrical system: 47 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 35,250–67,466 mi
- Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2012 FIAT 500? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- powertrain — 196 owner reports · tends to show around 61,968 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
- electrical — 47 owner reports · tends to show around 49,565 mi · ~$850 to fix
- airbags — 23 owner reports · tends to show around 63,629 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
- steering — 19 owner reports · tends to show around 59,678 mi · ~$700 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 49,565 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 7.2/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2012 FIAT 500
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
Your road ahead on this 2012 FIAT 500
When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you, what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
- ~36,000 misuspension~$900
- ~37,000 miengine~$3,100
- ~49,000 mielectrical~$850
- ~49,800 mipowertrain~$2,500
- ~60,000 misteering~$700
- ~74,000 miairbags~$1,100
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
The clutch peddle recall s-34 does not fit the problem with the Fiat clutch assembly. The root cause of the problem is excessive pressure on the throw out bearing and subsequently the pressure plate. My clutched failed at 105170 miles at under 1 MPH while going from a stop to…
I'd pulled over in a parking lot to take a phone call (bluetooth reception was static-y), and was sitting with my foot resting on the brake pedal. I felt a kick under my foot, turned the engine off and removed my foot from the brake as I completed the call. When I started the…
Was in a crash and the car was totaled. Not 1 air bag deployed.happenrd on dec. 9, 2020.
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 had not…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2012 Fiat 500 reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.2 out of 10 based on 394 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 Fiat 500 is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2012 Fiat 500?
The 2012 FIAT 500 is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Electrical system: 47 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 35,250–67,466 mi; Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2012 Fiat 500?
Inspect the powertrain first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 196 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 61,968 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2012 Fiat 500 a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 394 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is powertrain. Typical failure occurs around 61,968 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2012 Fiat 500?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 196 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 61,968 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 61,968 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Fiat 500 has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2012 Fiat 500?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 394 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.