CHRYSLER 2012-2015 FIAT 500: SERVICE BULLETIN INFORMATION AND REPAIR PROCEDURE FOR NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2012 FIAT 500 steering problems
severe 19 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
19
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
3crashes
What stands out
Of the 4 model years of FIAT 500 we track for steering problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 19.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering 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.
Clunking Noise From The Steering Column While Turning The Steering Wheel This bulletin involves replacing the steering intermediate shaft. Clunking, popping, knocking noise from the lower steering column while turning the steering wheel.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Steering failures in the 2012 Fiat 500 span mechanical, electrical, and structural problems. The most serious: power steering stops working without warning while driving at highway speeds, leaving drivers with stiff manual steering or no control at all. Some owners report the steering wheel turning on its own before the system stiffens. These failures have caused accidents and hospitalizations.
Lower ball joints fail prematurely—one owner's wheel separated from the control arm during a parking lot exit at just 62,000 miles, with no advance warning. Fiat no longer manufactures 2012 ball joints, forcing replacement of the entire control arm assembly.
The intermediate steering shaft is known to be defective: Fiat has replaced it under warranty with admission that the part is substandard, but refuses replacement after warranty expires, even though the replacement fails again around 36,000 miles or three years. Clunking noise during slow-speed turns precedes potential loss of steering control.
Steering column defects create noise during turning and require replacement. One owner's floor mat was sucked into the steering column area, blocking brake and accelerator pedals.
Dealers often cannot reproduce or diagnose these issues. Parts availability is poor—steering columns have month-long delays. Owners universally report Fiat refusing to issue or expand recalls despite knowing these are widespread problems.
Failure modes owners describe
Intermediate Steering Shaft Failure/Clunking
Defective intermediate steering shaft develops clunking noise during slow-speed turning, particularly on full turns. Owners report Fiat has replaced this part under warranty once, admitting it was defective, but refused replacement after warranty expiration. If left unrepaired, owners allege loss of steering control is possible.
When: Approximately 3 years or 36,000 miles after initial replacement; also reported at 103,681 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Clunking noise when turning at slow speeds; Abnormal noise from steering wheel while turning in either direction
Repairs/costs cited: Parts and labor approximately $500; new part carries 1-year limited warranty only
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Fiat refused warranty coverage after initial warranty period expired despite prior acknowledgment of defect
Power Steering Module Failure/Loss of Power Steering
Power steering system loses function without warning while driving, typically at highway speeds. Steering wheel becomes stiff and difficult to maneuver or becomes immovable. Multiple owners report the steering wheel turning on its own before failure occurs, with the failure sometimes preceded by ESC and gearbox warning lights. Failures often recur and dealer diagnostics sometimes cannot reproduce the issue.
When: 70,000 miles; 65 mph highway driving; intermittently starting early 2018 in one case; 66,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of power steering while driving; Steering wheel turns on its own; Stiff, manual-only steering mode; Multiple warning lights (ESC disabled, gearbox, electronic throttle, general malfunction); Steering wheel difficult to maneuver when turning; Steering pulls before going stiff
Codes mentioned: ESC disabled, ESC malfunction, ESC off
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unable to reproduce issue in some cases; vehicle released unrepaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Fiat notified in some cases; owners report issue is widely known among Fiat 500 owners but not formally recalled
Steering Column Defect/Noise
Steering column develops noise when turning the wheel, confirmed by dealer as defective steering column requiring replacement. Parts availability issues delay repairs. In one case, floor mat was sucked under accelerator and brake pedal by steering column area, preventing braking and steering.
When: Reported at various mileages; part availability delays of one month or more noted
Symptoms owners cite: Bad noise when turning steering wheel; Steering wheel makes abnormal noise; Floor mat sucked into steering column area blocking pedal access
Codes mentioned: Steering module loss of connection, Steering column failure
Repairs/costs cited: Defective steering column identified and replacement ordered; severe parts availability delays; floor mat incident required intervention
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Parts on backorder; corporate headquarters attempted to expedite without success; issue flagged as known problem with recall inadequacies
Lower Ball Joint Failure/Separation
Lower front ball joint breaks or wears prematurely, sometimes without warning signs. In one documented case, the driver's side lower ball joint separated during low-speed parking lot exit, causing the wheel to disconnect from the control arm and the car to drop toward the ground. Fiat no longer manufactures 2012 replacement ball joints, requiring complete control arm and assembly replacement.
When: 47,500 miles (4 years, 9 months ownership); 62,000 miles; 68,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Wheel disconnects from lower control arm; Worn ball joint; Steering seal loose; No advance warning signs in some cases
Repairs/costs cited: 2012 ball joint no longer manufactured; requires entire ball joint, control arm assembly replacement; recent alignment and tire service prior to failure in one case
Control Arm Disengagement
Control arm disengages from the steering mechanism on both driver and passenger sides, reported on internet forums by multiple owners as causing loss of steering control. Owners encountered confusion over whether a 'customer satisfaction recall' existed.
When: At 86,649 miles in one documented case
Symptoms owners cite: Control arm disengaging from steering mechanism; Loss of control; Loud metallic clunking noise over bumps and potholes
Repairs/costs cited: One owner was initially told by tire shop this was a 'customer satisfaction recall' but dealer denied any recall existed and demanded full payment
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer claimed no recall existed despite tire shop reference to customer satisfaction recall
Steering System Electrical/Module Loss of Connection
Steering module loses connection or power, causing vehicle warning lights to illuminate and steering system to fail. In at least one case, the failure caused vehicle stall and required module replacement. Multiple warning lights indicate broader electrical system involvement.
When: During normal driving and traffic light departure
Symptoms owners cite: Warning light flashed and car shut off; Steering module loss of connection; Multiple warning lights illuminated simultaneously
Codes mentioned: Steering module loss of connection
Repairs/costs cited: Steering column replacement required in at least one case
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Known issue with incomplete recall coverage per owner reports
Synthesized from 19 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had steering 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 steering problem on the 2012 FIAT 500?
It's a meaningful issue. 19 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 15 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 28,232 and 70,000 miles, with the median around 60,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 28,232; a quarter make it past 70,000. 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 $700 for steering 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 steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering 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.