2012 Fiat 500 Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 2%of 396 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 22,890miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the body and structure of the 2012 Fiat 500, 2% of the 396 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 22,890 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Car falls front and drops on a parking lot. I was manuvering to park and the car fall because the tire , shock,transaxle,ball joint fall off. This results in damage in the body and I have photos of the car at the site on my work. No pothole,no crash, just falls and breaking apart...updated 12/02/14 updated 12/22/2015 updated 9/7/2017”
NHTSA complaint #10661384, filed 2014-12, 22,890 miles“I am a real estate agent. Last year 2019 I went to an open house and parked in the driveway which was on an incline - with a plateau for parking. I've been driving a standard transmission for 30 years. When I park I place my gear in 1st with the parking brake fully engaged. I parked the car, went into the home to view the home, and was inside 15 minutes. When I went back to my car, it was gone. The car had rolled backward down the hill and into a guardrail. There were neighbors all around my car, and one man said, it makes no sense it the parking break is engaged. …”
NHTSA complaint #11320717, filed 2020-04, 58,000 miles“Ball-joint broke off completely causing damage to tires and front wheel well panel. Vehicle only has 36k miles and tires are rotated at every oil change. 10/4/15 rust spots on back hatch panel (reported over a year ago, has been returned 2 times and they are fighting me on the 3 return)”
NHTSA complaint #10786283, filed 2015-10, 36,000 miles“Body seams left open/unwelded during manufacturing causing water leaks and electrical problems affecting brakes, lighting, restraint systems, power door locks, windows, mirrors, ABS, esp, hill start assist, etc. Open/unwelded areas also weren't painted during manufacturing. Improper repairs performed. Sealant applied to close seams that should have been welded. Purchased 12/22/2011. Found interior wet on 12/25/2011. Returned to dealer on 01/02/2012. Spent 21 days in the shop. …”
NHTSA complaint #10446594, filed 2012-02, 200 miles“A vehicle in the right lane made a u-turn, crossing the left lane causing the Fiat to t-bone the vehicle making the u-turn. The seat belt did not restrain the Fiat driver and the driver contacted the steering wheel with enough force to cause a significant compression injury to the sternum. The driver was transported by ems to a hospital. The vehicle could not be driven and suffered nearly $13,000 damage. Earlier in the drive, the Fiat 500 driver had to rock forward at an on-ramp to release the seat belt in order to view approaching traffic via the left outside mirror. …”
NHTSA complaint #10508974, filed 2013-04, 9,100 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11033871Jun 4, 2026Broken Exterior Driver And/Or Passenger Door Handles XB2 Warranty Extension Customers may comment the following: ● One or both exterior door handles are broken. This bulletin…
- 10229572Aug 19, 2022Approved Use of Weld Through Primers This bulletin documents the FCA US LLC position regarding the use of weld through primer when using Squeeze Type Resistance Spot Welding…
- 10225424Aug 19, 2022Approved Use of Weld Through Primers This bulletin documents the FCA US LLC position regarding the use of weld through primer when using Squeeze Type Resistance Spot Welding…
- 10225287Aug 19, 2022Approved Use of Weld Through Primers This bulletin documents the FCA US LLC position regarding the use of weld through primer when using Squeeze Type Resistance Spot Welding…
- 10175743Apr 30, 2020Disinfectant Solution Recommended for COVID-19
- 10220101Nov 20, 2019Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.
- 10220099Nov 20, 2019Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage…
- 10220097Nov 20, 2019Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.
- 10169249Nov 20, 2019Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.
- 10169245Nov 20, 2019Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.
Body and structure: other model years
Other parts of the 2012 Fiat 500
201 complaintsElectrical system
63 complaintsEngine
51 complaintsOther or unknown
37 complaintsAir bags
32 complaintsFuel system
23 complaintsSuspension
21 complaintsSteering
19 complaintsBrakes
13 complaintsExterior lighting
12 complaintsVehicle speed control
12 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
11 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