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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2012 Fiat 500 Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
201about this part
Share
51%of 396 total for the year
Median mileage
48,099miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 201 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2012 Fiat 500, 51% of the 396 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 48,099 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

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

“I was driving home from work on big tree road in south daytona florida as I approached my neighborhood I attempted to shift gears and was not able to engage or disengage the clutch nor could I shift the gears. I lost control of the vehicle so I braked and managed to drift in neutral to my driveway at my home.”

NHTSA complaint #10957777, filed 2017-03, 29,637 miles

“First of all while driving around town my clutch started feeling loose, 2 days later changing gears getting harder. I was told by a shop that I need to replace clutch assembly, clutch, & clutch plate. I thought this was all taken care of witb the recall?”

NHTSA complaint #11350422, filed 2020-08, 147,000 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

“The clutch gave out in rush hour traffic as I was downshifting to enter a traffic circle. The clutch pedal became stiff and I was able to get the car into neutral, but could not put the car back in gear, or depress the clutch pedal fully. According to the mechanic, the pressure plate cracked due to it being manufactured with low-quality metal. The car has only 43,000 miles on it.”

NHTSA complaint #10846116, filed 2016-03, 43,000 miles

“My Fiat 500 manual tranmission would not go into gear when I was on the highway there is a problem with clutch diaphragm spring causeingthe car not to shift the recall wasto replace the clutch pedal over travel I told the Fiat dealer they should check the clutch first to see if there was any damage now my clutch went the car gives you no sign when its going to fail very dangerous car was in motion when in happend”

NHTSA complaint #11003765, filed 2017-07, 56,000 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2017321%
2016857%
20153235%
20146754%
20138048%
201220151%

Other parts of the 2012 Fiat 500

Electrical 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 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