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EnginePart report

2012 Fiat 500 Engine Problems

Complaints
51about this part
Share
13%of 396 total for the year
Median mileage
33,416miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 51 complaints about the engine of the 2012 Fiat 500, 13% of the 396 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 33,416 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I car warning lights started coming on and staying on all the time. I took the car in for an oil change and was advised I needed a new motor. The car is constantly stalling, cutting off all the time, bearly restarting and only able to drive less than 25 MPH. This is the problem every time I start it up.”

NHTSA complaint #11128207, filed 2018-09, 60,000 miles

“Took car in for service with 29,600 miles on it. Was told it needed new valve cover gasket, both cv boots replaced, and both transmission output seals replaced. I had already replaced one transmission output seal at 22,000 miles. Total cost $900 all out of warranty. I've already filed a complaint about having to replace the clutch. Seems there are a lot of issues with this car.”

NHTSA complaint #10864406, filed 2016-05, 29,600 miles

“Engine light when on with 10 k miles in my engine only 1/4 oil left, the dealer performece the oil change 3 weeks latter engine light on again. Only 1/4 oil inside, they did the (cot) consumcion oil test every 500 miles for 4 times. Answer from the manufacture every 1 k miles I have to add 1/4 oil now I have to check it every 1 k... Not include in the guarante. If the manueal says oil change every 8 k miles how is posible 1/4 every 1 k miles I think they just clean their hands...”

NHTSA complaint #10717899, filed 2015-05, 15,000 miles

“My 2012 Fiat is having starter issues. Sometimes the engine just cuts off. I took the car in and they told me that all 2012 fiats recently serviced, are having this issue. There is no fix until chrysler creates a code for the system. I asked how long has this been going on and he said 3 months now. So basically I have to deal with my car barley starting and possibily cutting off and there is no solution. This could be dangerous and may lead to other damages. Something needs to be done.”

NHTSA complaint #10762239, filed 2015-09, 48,000 miles

“The car got stuck with mud under the car. When we go it pulled out and took it to the dealer would have cost us 3000 to have it fixed. That way to much and they told there was problem with the engine now. They wouldn't work a deal on it. When driving home we noticed thry left a plate from under the sterling will and had rip the black peace that wrapes oround it.we to it to a tramission place in town where they fixed the transmissin , the car drive like a mess I just afraid to go lomg distance.”

NHTSA complaint #10758772, filed 2015-08, 6,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2017214%
2016321%
20151213%
20141915%
20132213%
20125113%

Other parts of the 2012 Fiat 500

Transmission and drivetrain
201 complaints
Electrical system
63 complaints
Other or unknown
37 complaints
Air bags
32 complaints
Fuel system
23 complaints
Suspension
21 complaints
Steering
19 complaints
Brakes
13 complaints
Exterior lighting
12 complaints
Vehicle speed control
12 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
11 complaints
Body and structure
9 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2012 Fiat 500

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology