2012 Fiat 500 Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 21about this part
- Share
- 5%of 396 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 46,080miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 21 complaints about the suspension of the 2012 Fiat 500, 5% of the 396 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 46,080 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.
“Having problems with the front end on vehicle-when I take off it wobbles-I was told that these cars are popular with front end problems- also I did read there was a recall to replace front end parts could you please look into this -hoprfully this defect will be addressed thanks the vehicle was in motion at the time and I was on a city street- I'm truly concerned on”
NHTSA complaint #11373810, filed 2020-11, 100,000 miles“My steering shaft has been making noise since the car was purchased, the part has been on back order every time the car has been in for service. It's been a year, since I've had a clunking steering shaft, and they assured me it will be fixed.... But the part is on back order... This is a common issue with these cars it seems.”
NHTSA complaint #10788049, filed 2015-11, 5,000 miles“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“At 47,500 miles and 4 years, 9 months of ownership, my passenger side lower front ball joint broke. There were no signs of problems leading up to the breakage. Unfortunately Fiat no longer makes the 2012 lower front ball joints and the 2013+ ball joints require a new assembly so the entire ball joint, control arm, etc. Assembly has to be created.”
NHTSA complaint #10874631, filed 2016-06, 48,000 miles“2012 Fiat 500 prima edizione. Backing out of parking lot, driver's side front wheel disconnects from the lower control arm. Car falls almost to the ground. Dealer identifies worn ball joint. Just under 62k miles. Recent alignment and tire replacement done by the dealer. All regular service done at same local dealer since new. First and only owner. Very fortunate this did not happen on the highway at speed.”
NHTSA complaint #10786950, filed 2015-10, 61,500 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10244356Sep 20, 2023LIFTER, Hydraulic Roller Deactivating Please do not replace MDS lifters because the disconnecting pin is not lined up, this is normal and not a defect.
- 10170314Dec 11, 2019Air Suspension Components Star Parts Catalog has been updated to show individual service parts for the compressor assembly. This will allow service technicians to repair the root…
- 10221036Sep 26, 2014Front Suspension Clunk Noise While Making Left And Right Turns This bulletin involves replacing the front strut jounce bumpers. Clunk noise coming from the front suspension…
- 10139756Sep 26, 2014Front Suspension Clunk Noise While Making Left And Right Turns This bulletin involves replacing the front strut jounce bumpers. Clunk noise coming from the front suspension…
- 10061849Sep 26, 2014Summary to be provided on a future date.
- 10139673Jun 24, 2014Rear Axle Alignment Shims This bulletin is to inform service personnel of the availability of rear axle alignment shims.
- 10215756Apr 4, 2013This bulletin involves replacing both left and right front jounce bumpers. The customer may experience a noise from the front of the vehicle while going over bumps which may be…
- 10188629Apr 4, 2013This bulletin involves replacing both left and right front jounce bumpers. The customer may experience a noise from the front of the vehicle while going over bumps which may be…
- 10061840Apr 4, 2013Summary to be provided on a future date.
Suspension: 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 complaintsSteering
19 complaintsBrakes
13 complaintsExterior lighting
12 complaintsVehicle speed control
12 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
11 complaintsBody 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 29, 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