Gear Ratio DTC?s, Transmission Shift Concerns, Does Not Shift At Times, Shudders
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2012 FIAT 500 powertrain problems
moderate 196 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
196
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
1crash
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 196 powertrain complaints filed for the 2012 FIAT 500, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 6 model years of FIAT 500 we track for powertrain problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 196.
Powertrain accounts for 50% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 12 categories tracked.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles. If the transmission bracket to the transmission case fasteners are removed during servicing, the fasteners (Part Number 06511385A$) are one-time usage. Vehicles built prior to 10/23/2015 requires Service Kit PN 68461214AA; includes Transmission Isolator PN 68264483AA, and Adaptation Bracket 68264479AA and Fastener Service Kit PN 68329056AA Vehicles built after on or after 10/23/2015 will require only the Fastener Service Kit PN 68329056AA. 2. All 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles. If the vehicle you are repairing has a crack in the flex plate or failed pump bushing inspect and confirm that both (2) dowel pins
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗1.4L FIRE Service Engine (Normally Aspirated) This engine in this kit will contain one of 8 different production full dress engines, but labeled as component engine 68275870AA or 71AA. The received engine will be configured for use with an automatic transmission, (includes auto transmission adapter plate / flexplate) or manual transmission. (includes flywheel / clutch asm) The received engine will be configured with or without a block heater. If required, dealer to purchase/install the block heater. The included instruction sheet K6855863AB in engine kit 68275870AA is to be followed for all applications that it applies. Please see the sheet for details. In addition to the items detailed in i
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Diagnostic And System Improvements.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Diagnostic And System Improvements.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2012 Fiat 500 manual transmission shows a clear pattern of catastrophic clutch failures across a broad mileage range. Most common is the diaphragm spring fracture inside the pressure plate—the pedal suddenly becomes rock-hard or completely unresponsive, trapping the driver in gear on city streets, highways, and intersections with no prior warning signs. Owners with 12,000 to 60,000 miles have reported clutch lockup, bent pressure plates, and inability to shift, sometimes multiple times on the same vehicle. The S34 recall (clutch pedal limiter and switch) addressed only the pedal assembly; owners report clutch failures continuing or starting after the recall was completed, with Fiat dismissing them as normal wear despite the low mileage and sudden nature of failure.
Pressure plate warping and bending is particularly stubborn. One owner experienced a second failure just 20,000 miles after the first repair; another had the same failure repeat every 20,000 miles. Fiat classifies all pressure plate failures as wear-and-tear, not covered by the drivetrain warranty even at 36,000–50,000 miles. Owners also report intermittent clutch pedal issues—the pedal going soft or sticking to the floor unpredictably while driving—that dealerships cannot replicate or fix. Additionally, rough transmission downshifts, shifter cable detachment, and vehicles rolling backward while in park add to the safety concerns. Repair costs typically run $1000–$2400, with many owners forced to pay out of pocket.
Same FIAT 500 powertrain reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Clutch diaphragm spring fracture / clutch lockup
Diaphragm spring inside the pressure plate fractures suddenly, causing the clutch to lock up completely and prevent gear engagement. Often occurs with minimal or no warning signs of wear, sometimes at low mileage (12K–50K miles).
When: Various mileages; most reported between 12,000–60,000 miles, sometimes much earlier than typical clutch wear
Symptoms owners cite: Clutch pedal becomes stiff and unmovable; Unable to shift gears while engine running; Loud screeching or grinding noise from clutch area; Strong burning odor; Clutch locks up suddenly with no prior slipping or grinding
Repairs/costs cited: Clutch assembly replacement (pressure plate, clutch disc, throw-out bearing); repairs run $1000–$2400 depending on additional transmission damage. Owners report bent pressure plates.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall S34 / NHTSA 16V-302 (clutch pedal limiter and switch installation) issued but addresses only the pedal assembly, not the underlying spring or pressure plate defect. Recall parts frequently unavailable for extended periods. Some owners report clutch failures even after recall completion.
Pressure plate failure (bent/warped)
Pressure plate bends, warps, or loses clamping force prematurely, preventing the clutch from fully disengaging. Owners report this happens repeatedly on the same vehicle or across multiple cars of the same year/model.
When: 20,000–60,000 miles; some failures repeat every 20,000 miles after first repair
Symptoms owners cite: Clutch does not fully disengage even with pedal pressed to floor; Resistance or grinding when attempting to shift gears; Clutch feels stiff near the floor; Gears jam or will not engage; High resistance on clutch pedal
Repairs/costs cited: Pressure plate replacement as part of clutch assembly; ~$1000–$1600 for parts and labor. Owners report bent pressure plates visible in photos from dealers. Some owners have experienced multiple failures on the same car.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Fiat classifies this as normal wear and tear, denies warranty coverage despite low mileage and repeated failures. Recall S34 does not address pressure plate defects. Some owners report Fiat eventually covered repairs 'as a gesture of goodwill' after pushback.
Clutch pedal soft/stuck to floor (hydraulic)
Clutch pedal loses pressure or becomes stuck to the floor intermittently while driving, making it impossible to disengage the clutch and shift gears. Often recurs unpredictably.
When: Variable; reported at 25,000–60,000 miles; can occur monthly, weekly, or daily at worst
Symptoms owners cite: Clutch pedal suddenly loses all pressure while driving; Pedal sticks to or gets stuck at the floor; Unable to shift gears at highway speeds; Pumping pedal restores some pressure temporarily; Fluid level in master cylinder remains normal
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership checks show no fault found despite repeated occurrence. Owners report independent bleeding of hydraulic cylinders shows normal movement, indicating possible internal slave cylinder or master cylinder seal failure not caught by diagnostic.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Multiple dealership visits yield no permanent fix. Dealers unable to replicate or diagnose. One dealer attributed to 'computer program' needing adjustment based on driving style. No recalls address this specific failure mode.
Transmission downshift jerking / rough shifting
Transmission downshifts abruptly and jerks the vehicle, especially during deceleration or when slowing for a light. Shift delays or sudden shifts cause rear-end jolting sensation.
When: Reported across all mileages; intermittent, not reproducible at will
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden jerking or jolting when downshifting; Delay between shifting and engagement (3–4 seconds); Vehicle feels like rear is being hit; Transmission downshifts unexpectedly when slowing down; Problem occurs intermittently; sometimes disappears at dealership
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers have attempted multiple fixes with no success. One dealer foreman suggested issue could be computer program requiring update; told owner to adjust driving style. No parts replaced, no permanent solution offered.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer feedback: problem may resolve with updated computer program, but no such program available or implemented. Dealers unable to fix; one suggested issue related to owner's transition from highway to city driving.
Gear shifter stuck in park / unable to exit park
Vehicle refuses to shift out of park or between gears; shifter becomes immobilized or can only move with mechanical force (screwdriver, manual manipulation).
When: Reported at various mileages; some at 36,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Shifter cannot move out of park or between gears; Requires screwdriver or manual force to shift; Vehicle rolls backward while in park (separate incidents); Shifter cable detaches or breaks; Dashboard goes blank when shifter is stuck
Repairs/costs cited: Shifter cable replacement or internal transmission linkage repair; ~$600+ per incident reported. Some owners report having to pay for repeated $600 repairs every several months.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 19V817000 addresses shift cable detachment; however, many failures reported by owners not included in recall or VIN not covered. Fiat has not issued comprehensive recall for shifter mechanism failures.
Vehicle rolls backward while in park
Vehicle rolls backward uncontrollably while the transmission is in park and ignition is on or off, presenting significant safety hazard.
When: Reported at ~60,000 miles in one incident; can happen in parked lots
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle rolls backward despite shifter in park; Rolls again after restarting; Insufficient brake holding force; No warning lights or prior indication
Repairs/costs cited: Owner did not take vehicle to dealer for diagnosis or repair; vehicle was pushed to parking space and towed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 19V817000 (Power Train) mentioned; owner received notice but vehicle not diagnosed or repaired at dealer.
Transmission warning lights and loss of power (intermittent)
Check transmission, check engine, or ESC warning lights illuminate; vehicle feels sluggish or loses power while driving. Issue is intermittent and difficult to diagnose.
When: Reported at 26,000 miles and on multiple visits
Symptoms owners cite: Check transmission warning light illuminates; Check engine warning light; ESC warning light; Vehicle feels sluggish; Unknown odor detected; Vehicle hesitates to accelerate; Hesitates to start
Codes mentioned: P0741 (torque converter clutch circuit performance or stuck off)
Repairs/costs cited: Independent mechanic unable to determine cause; no codes found initially. Dealer replaced four spark plugs and number one coil but issue recurred. One complaint mentioned faulty wiring or computer.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No permanent fix provided; dealer service unable to replicate or resolve. Manufacturer referred owner to NHTSA.
Synthesized from 196 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 7 most recent
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 putting it into reverse to park at my workplace in baton rouge, la. This occurred in late august and I was without my…
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 experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
My car [xxx] 2012 Fiat 500 pop 2 door hatchback has still not had the safety recall fixed Fiat Chrysler is in contempt of court because my recall has not been fixed in a timely matter! Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Fiat 500. After the vehicle was parked in the garage, it failed to restart. The gear shifter was placed in park, but the indicator on the instrument panel indicated that the vehicle was still in drive. The contact read the owner's manual, which instructed to release the gear shifter to take it out of park. The gear shifter was placed in park, but the indicator…
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Fiat 500. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v302000 (power train). Due to the dealer's refusal to work within the contact's schedule, the recall repair was not completed. The manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts…
Clutch would not disengage, could not shift into gear from neutral,in middle of traffic, had to shut engine off, put in gear, start in gear and drove to safe location[city street] [11/20/2015] [17,500 miles on car]$1400.00 for clutch replacement
Since I purchased my 2012 Fiat 500 sport in september of 2012 I have had this issue. Occasionally (about 4 times a week), the car fails to start. When turning the key in the ignition, the car makes a noise as if it is going to start but winds down and loses power. I turn the key back, wait about 5 seconds and the car will normally start. This happens all year around. I contacted the holt Fiat of…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2012 FIAT 500?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2012 FIAT 500?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 196 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 126 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 29,623 and 79,250 miles, with the median around 49,800. A quarter of owners report trouble before 29,623; a quarter make it past 79,250. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/FIAT/500.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.