2012 Fiat 500 Owner Complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE KEY BECOME STUCK IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000.

8/22/2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500 SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND THE GENERIC WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,114.

9/11/2013

CAR WAS STALLING AND SHUTTING OFF. HAD MY DAUGHTER IN THE CAR. COULDN'T START THE CAR AFTER 3 ATTEMPTS. THEN AFTER WAITING A GOOD 3 MINUTES STARTED THE CAR AND REVVED THE ENGINE AT 4000 RPM AND EVERYTHING SEEMED BACK TO NORMAL. DEALER HASN'T BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE. *TR

11/4/2011

I'D PULLED OVER IN A PARKING LOT TO TAKE A PHONE CALL (BLUETOOTH RECEPTION WAS STATIC-Y), AND WAS SITTING WITH MY FOOT RESTING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. I FELT A KICK UNDER MY FOOT, TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND REMOVED MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE AS I COMPLETED THE CALL. WHEN I STARTED THE CAR AND PULLED TO THE EDGE OF THE LOT'S EXIT, I OF COURSE STEPPED ON THE BRAKE TO STOP AND CHECK FOR TRAFFIC, BUT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS STUCK AND I ROLLED INTO THE STREET. I HOPE I USED THE HANDBRAKE TO STOP THE CAR, ALTHOUGH I REALLY DON'T REMEMBER. I DID REVERSE BACK INTO THE PARKING LOT, USING THE SLIGHT SLOPE OF THE DRIVEWAY TO ENSURE I COULD STOP ONCE OUT OF THE STREET. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. IT'S PROBABLY UNRELATED, BUT THE VOICE RECOGNITION SYSTEM WAS WORKING SPORADICALLY THAT SAME MORNING. *KB

12/31/2011

MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, PROBABLY > 10 TIMES IN PAST TWO MONTHS. AT LOW STEADY SPEED, SUCH AS DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT, WHEN I LET UP ON GAS PEDAL, THE CAR DOES NOT SLOW DOWN IMMEDIATELY. ONE EXPECTS THE IMMEDIATE, SLIGHT FEELING OF DECELERATION ON THE BODY, BUT IT DOESN'T COME RIGHT AWAY. USUALLY IT LASTS ABOUT ONE SECOND. IT HAS LASTED UP TO THREE SECONDS. RECENTLY THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING STEADILY AT 30MPH, I LET UP ON ACCELERATOR ENTERING A 20MPH ZONE, AND CAR DID NOT SLOW DOWN IMMEDIATELY. THIS WAS THE OCCASION IT TOOK 3 SECONDS. I HAVE BEEN PAYING ATTENTION TO THIS ISSUE RECENTLY BECAUSE IT HAPPENS SO MUCH. I HAVE NOT NOTICED THIS PROBLEM AT HIGH SPEED, SUCH AS EXPRESSWAY DRIVING. *TR

12/26/2012

WHEN I AM DRIVING AND I AM START SLOWING DOWN FOR A LIGHT BEFORE IT GET TO A FULL STOP THE TRANSMISSION DOWN SHIFT TO QUICK THAT MAKES THE CAR JERK, I STOP AND WAIT FOR THE LIGHT TO CHANGE AND IT DOWNSHIFT BY ITSELF, IT FEELS LIKE SOMEBODY IS HITTING YOU ON THE REAR OF THE CAR BUT NOBODY IS THERE .I BROUGHT THE CAR SEVERAL TIMES TO THE DEALER BUT BECAUSE IT DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT. ONE OF THE TIMES THAT I WAS AT THE DEALER IT HAPPENED. I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE, DROVE IT FOR 10 FEET AND THEN SHIFTED TO FORWARD AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING FOR 3 TO 4 SECONDS THEN A JUMP (SHIFTED TO 1ST GEAR) I WAS WITH THE PERSON WHO MAKES THE APPOINTMENTS SO HE TOLD ME TO BRING THE CAR NEXT DAY. NEXT DAY THEY DROVE IT AND THE CAR WOULD SHIFT FINE SO NOTHING WAS FIXED. LAST WEEK, I TOLD THEN TO KEEP THE CAR AND LET THE FOREMAN TO DRIVE IT HOME SO HE WOULD FEEL WHAT IT WAS HAPPENING, HE TOLD ME THAT IT HAPPENED ONCE BUT ON DOWNSHIFT AND THAT COULD BE A COMPUTER PROGRAM AND I HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL FIAT DEVELOP A NEW PROGRAM. THEY TRIED EVERYTHING THAT THEY KNOW AND THE FINAL SOLUTION WAS THE WAY THAT I DRIVE OR THE COMPUTER HAVE TO ADJUST WHEN I CHANGE MY DRIVING FROM THE HIGHWAY TO THE CITY I THING IS A LOT OF BS I DRIVE 120 MILES DAILY TO WORK AND I AM WORRY THAT THE DOWNSHIFT WILL HAPPEN WHEN I AM DRIVING ON HIGHWAY SPEED AND OF COURSE THEY TOLD ME THAT THE DOWNSHIFT WILL NOT HAPPEN ON HIGHER SPEED EVEN THAT THEY SAID THEY DO NOT KNOW WHY I KEEP BRINGING THE CAR WITH THE SAME TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP ME TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE EVEN THE CAR FOLDS ON THE LEMON LAW STILL I HAVE TO MAKES THE PAYMENTS. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

10/10/2013

THE AIRBAG FAILURE WARNING LIGHT HAS CONSISTENTLY ACTIVATED ON MY NEW FIAT SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW. HAVE RETURNED THE CAR FOR SERVICE TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES REGARDING THIS ISSUE; MANY TIMES THE DEALER HAS INFORMED ME THAT THEY SHOW NO INDICATION OF THE AIRBAG FAILURE LIGHT BEING ACTIVATED. SINCE THEN, I HAVE TAKEN NUMEROUS PHOTOS WITH MY PHONE OF THE AIRBAG FAILURE WARNING LIGHT BEING TRIGGERED AS THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT SEEMED TO NEED MORE EVIDENCE OF THIS OCCURRENCE. HOWEVER, THE ISSUE HAS YET TO BE RESOLVED AND I AM SEEKING RESOLUTION THROUGH THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU. *JS

5/14/2012

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. APPARENTLY, THE SEAT BELT DOES NOT OR DID NOT REENGAGE AFTER THIS MOVEMENT LEAVING IT FREE AND THE DRIVER UNRESTRAINED. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

4/21/2013

AXLE IS MAKING CRACKING NOISES AND DEALER SAID THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE AFTER 2 ATTEMPTS. NOISE IS GETTING LOUDER. FIRST STARTED AT 600 MILES. SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

11/4/2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, OIL LEAKED FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE REAR MAIN SEAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.

7/29/2013

AXLE IS MAKING CRACKING NOISES AND DEALER SAID THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE AFTER 2 ATTEMPTS. NOISE IS GETTING LOUDER. FIRST STARTED AT 600 MILES. SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

11/4/2011

THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES A BAD NOISE WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY VERIFIED THAT IT IS A DEFECTIVE STEERING COLUMN. THEY PUT PART ON ORDER. IT HAS BEEN A MONTH AND STILL NOT IN. I CALLED THE CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS AND THEY SAID THAT THEY WOULD TRY TO EXPEDITE THE PART. I EXPLAINED THAT I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR A MONTH NOW, AND THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY WOULD CANCEL THE ORDER AND RE ORDER IT. WHAT DO I HAVE TO GET IN A CRASH FIRST AND WAIT ANOTHER MONTH? MAYBE HURT NOT ONLY MYSELF, BUT GOD FORBID OTHERS? PLEASE HELP. *TR

8/8/2012

SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING MY VEHICLE I BEGAN TO HAVE ISSUES WITH A SOFT CLUTCH OR A STUCK CLUTCH. USUALLY WHILE DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS AND ATTEMPTING TO DOWNSHIFT OR COME TO A STOP THE CLUTCH PEDAL WILL LOSE ALL PRESSURE AND EITHER BECOME STUCK TO THE FLOOR OR NOT OPERATE NORMALLY. UPON STOPPING AND PUMPING THE CLUTCH SOME PRESSURE WILL RETURN AND THE CLUTCH WILL OPERATE ABNORMALLY FOR A SHOT TIME BEFORE RETURNING TO NORMAL FEEL. USUALLY THE CLUTCH WILL GET STUCK TO THE FLOOR AND I WILL BE UNABLE TO PULL THE CAR OUT OF GEAR WHILE DRIVING 50+ MPH. THE FLUID LEVEL IN THE MASTER CYLINDER HAS NEVER FALLEN BELOW NORMAL AND 2 SEPARATE DEALERSHIPS HAVE CHECKED IT MULTIPLE TIMES AND SAID THERE WAS NO FAULT TO BE FOUND BUT I EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM ON EITHER A MONTHLY, WEEKLY OR EVEN DAILY BASIS DURING THE WORST EPISODES. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY AT ABOUT 25,000 MILES NOW AND THE PROBLEM REMAINS A CONSTANT ANNOYANCE THAT LEAVES ME FEELING UNSAFE IN OPERATING THE VEHICLE AT TIMES BECAUSE I DO NOT KNOW WHEN OR HOW BAD THE PROBLEM WILL BE. *TR

9/23/2014

WITHIN SEVERAL WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE OF FIAT 500 WE ENCOUNTERED A PROBLEM STARTING THE ENGINE. UPON TURNING THE IGNITION KEY THE ENGINE RESPONDED WITH AN ELECTRICAL MOTOR WHINE BUT DID NOT START. AFTER SEVERAL REPEATED ATTEMPTS THE ENGINE WOULD START AND FUNCTION NORMALLY. GAS MILEAGE HAS NEVER BEEN AS HIGH WAS REPRESENTED IN SALES INFORMATION. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN RETURNED TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES FOR CORRECTION BUT THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. A COMPLAINT HAS BEEN LODGED WITH BOTH THE DEALER AND FIAT USA.

5/25/2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN WATER PENETRATED THE REAR BRAKES, IT CAUSED THE BRAKES TO SEIZE. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000 AND THE CURRENT 18,000.

2/14/2013

ANYTIME SPORT MODE IS ENGAGED, CAR DOES NOT DECREASE IN SPEED PROPERLY. EVEN WITH BRAKE APPLIED, THE CAR LUNGES FORWARD AS I'M TRYING TO SLOW DOWN. WHEN DRIVING USING SPORT MODE, I HAVE TO STAY VERY FAR AWAY FROM OTHER VEHICLES IN CASE OF SUDDEN BRAKING BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WILL NOT SLOW DOWN PROPERLY. MY HUSBAND DROVE MY CAR IN SPORT MODE NOT KNOWING THAT IT LUNGED FORWARD WHEN BRAKING AND WOUND UP AN INCH AWAY FROM SOMEONE'S BUMPER AFTER ATTEMPTING TO SLOW DOWN FROM A SPEED OF ABOUT 20MPH. THIS IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE FOR THE DRIVER AND OTHER'S AROUND. *TR

12/8/2014

THE STEERING COLUMN, DOWN BY THE FLOOR SUCKED MY FLOOR MAT UP UNDER MY ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDAL. I COULD NOT BRAKE, OR TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. *TR...UPDATED 06/28/13 *BF

2/28/2013

AIR BAG LIGHTS ARE NOT SHOWING ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER THE AIRBAGS ARE NOT WORKING! *TR

10/31/2013

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. PROBLEM WAS FOUND TO BE, "NUMEROUS OPEN BODY SEAMS MEASURING OVER 10 INCHES LONG THAT WERE LEFT OPEN AND UNWELDED AND UNPAINTED DURING MANUFACTURING." CAR WAS RETURNED TO ME "REPAIRED" ON 1/23/2012. I IMMEDIATELY BEGAN EXPERIENCING NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THEN, NOTICED THAT THE CAR WAS LEAKING, AGAIN, AND EVEN WORSE, ON 1/30/2012. CAR WAS NEVER REPAIRED/IMPROPERLY REPAIRED. INTERIOR VERY WET. ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS GETTING WORSE. PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES AND 'HILL START ASSIST'. FIAT WILL NOT RETURN MY CALLS. I'VE SENT LETTERS ASKING THAT THE CAR BE REPLACED. THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *KB

2/3/2012

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. APPARENTLY, THE SEAT BELT DOES NOT OR DID NOT REENGAGE AFTER THIS MOVEMENT LEAVING IT FREE AND THE DRIVER UNRESTRAINED. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

4/21/2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHRYSLER FIAT 500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE WOULD INDEPENDENTLY MOVE TO THE FULL MARK AND THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY STALL. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE PLACED IN NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO GET IT TO RESTART. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THEY WOULD NEED TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 8,000.

8/9/2012

MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, PROBABLY > 10 TIMES IN PAST TWO MONTHS. AT LOW STEADY SPEED, SUCH AS DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT, WHEN I LET UP ON GAS PEDAL, THE CAR DOES NOT SLOW DOWN IMMEDIATELY. ONE EXPECTS THE IMMEDIATE, SLIGHT FEELING OF DECELERATION ON THE BODY, BUT IT DOESN'T COME RIGHT AWAY. USUALLY IT LASTS ABOUT ONE SECOND. IT HAS LASTED UP TO THREE SECONDS. RECENTLY THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING STEADILY AT 30MPH, I LET UP ON ACCELERATOR ENTERING A 20MPH ZONE, AND CAR DID NOT SLOW DOWN IMMEDIATELY. THIS WAS THE OCCASION IT TOOK 3 SECONDS. I HAVE BEEN PAYING ATTENTION TO THIS ISSUE RECENTLY BECAUSE IT HAPPENS SO MUCH. I HAVE NOT NOTICED THIS PROBLEM AT HIGH SPEED, SUCH AS EXPRESSWAY DRIVING. *TR

12/26/2012

ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AT NIGHT, I HAVE HAD THE HEADLIGHTS FAIL! SUDDENLY JUST GO DARK! EACH TIME, IT HAPPENED WHEN I OPERATED A WINDOW SWITCH. THE OUTAGE EACH TIME WAS SHORT, THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD COME BACK ON WITHIN SECONDS [THOUGH IT SEEMED LONGER]. THE SERVICE GUYS AT THE DEALERSHIP HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO SOLVE IT, NO IDEA WHY IT HAPPENED. *TR

4/20/2014

THE REAR LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS HAVE FAILED. THE LED BULBS ARE FUNCTIONAL, BUT THE WIRING HARNESS PROVIDING POWER TO THE LIGHTS HAS FAILED DUE POOR ROUTING OF THE HARNESS RESULTING IN BROKEN WIRES AND ELECTRICAL SHORTS TO THE SYSTEM. OTHER SIMILAR MAKE AND MODELS OF THIS CAR HAVE SUFFERED THE SAME PROBLEM. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CONSIDERERS THIS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. I CONSIDER THIS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT. IF THIS PROBLEM AFFECTED THE HEADLIGHTS, THIS COULD BE A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE.

4/23/2016

THE ESC BUTTON WILL NOT TURN OFF ESC. NORMALLY THIS ISN'T AN ISSUE, BUT WHEN I AM STUCK IN SNOW IT WOULD HELP TO TURN ESC OFF. THE OWNERS MANUAL EVEN SUGGESTS THIS. MY BUTTON WILL NOT DISABLE ESC SOME TIMES. THE BUTTON WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER HAS INSPECTED IT MULTIPLE TIMES. THE "ESC OFF" LIGHT SHOULD ILLUMINATE WHEN IT IS REALLY OFF, BUT THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN. *TR

5/5/2014

PULLING AWAY FROM A STOP LIGHT UNDER LIGHT ACCELERATION, MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON INCLUDING "ESC DISABLED" AND MULTIPLE LIGHT WARNINGS FOR THE GEARBOX, THE STEERING, ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL, GENERAL MALFUNCTION LIGHT, ESC OFF LIGHT, AND ESC MALFUNCTION LIGHT, AND LOST POWER STEERING, ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT WHILE TRYING TO GET THE CAR OFF THE ROAD. THE CAR WAS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY WITH NO CHANGE. AFTER LETTING THE CAR SIT FOR A HALF-HOUR, THE CAR WAS RESTARTED AND STEERING WAS RESTORED AND NO WARNING LIGHT WERE ON. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME AND PARKED UNTIL IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY DROVE THE CAR OVER 50 MILES AND WERE UNABLE TO REPEAT THE INCIDENT OR IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM SO THEY RELEASED THE UNREPAIRED VEHICLE TO THE OWNER. *TR

6/16/2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CLUTCH FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH WAS BURNED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

7/31/2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE GEAR WAS NOT ABLE TO SHIFT FROM THE FOURTH GEAR. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FINGER PLATE ON THE CLUTCH WAS CRACKED AND THE CLUTCH WOULD NOT DISENGAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE REMEDY FAILED. THE PART FOR THE REPAIR WAS ORDERED BUT IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY WAS ALREADY CRACKED BEFORE USE. THE PART WAS REORDERED AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

9/9/2015

I HAD TO REPLACE 10 HUB CAPS FROM 2012 - 2014(86,000). THE PLASTIC THAT HOLD THE RING ON THE HUB CAB KEEP BREAKING WITH JUST A SMALL BUMP. I HAVE BOUGHT 4. FIAT HAS REPLACED 6 SO FAR ON MY CAR AND HAVE LOST NOW 3 MORE AND HAS BEEN ON BACK ORDER FOR 7 MONTHS NOW. FIAT SAID THEY WILL REPLACE THEM AFTER 4 MONTHS OF GRIPING. NOW MY WIFE HAS A 2013 MODEL AND SHE DOESN'T PUT AS MAY MILES AS I DO AND SHE IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. 15" STEAL RIMS WITH HUB CAPS. I HAVE 40 YR AS A FORD MECHANIC AND HAS WORK AS AN SERVICE REP. THIS CO. HAS NO ONE THAT YOU CAN TALK TO ONE ON ONE AND GET ANY ANSWERS. ALL DONE ON PHONE. I HAVE ASKED TO HAVE SOMEONE CALL BUT ONLY CUSTOMER SERVICE. IF YOU LOOK ON THE WEB ALOT OF CUSTOMERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND CAN'T GET THE HUB CAPS TO REPLACE.TO MANY ON BACK ORDER. JUST AT MY DEALER THERE IS OVER 60 ORDERS FOR THE PART. RIGHT NOW I HAVE ONLY 1 HUB CAP ON MY CAR AND LOOKS BAD. *TR

11/18/2014

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 *BF UPDATED 12/22/2015*JS UPDATED 9/7/2017*CN

12/1/2014

THIS VEHICLE WAS RECENTLY AWARDED AN IIHS TOP PICK SAFETY AWARD, BUT ONLY FOR VEHICLES MANUFACTURED AFTER JULY, 2011, WHEN FIAT REDESIGNED THE SEATS FOR BETTER SIDE-IMPACT PROTECTION. I OWN A FIAT 500 MANUFACTURED BEFORE JULY, SO CLEARLY MY CAR IS NOT AS SAFE AS THOSE BUILT AFTERWARD. CAN NHTSA INVESTIGATE AND POSSIBLY FORCE FIAT TO RECALL THE EARLY VEHICLES TO INSTALL THE SAFER SEATS? FROM MY DEALINGS WITH THEM ON SIMPLE, LITTLE THINGS I'M CONFIDENT THEY WOULDN'T VOLUNTEER TO DO IT ON THEIR OWN. *TR

10/28/2011

PASSENGER SEAT DOES NOT SECURE TO UNDER CARRIAGE AFTER BEING LEANED FORWARD FOR ENTRY TO BACK SEAT. VIGOROUS MANIPULATION WILL EVENTUALLY SET IT, BUT IF NOT SET SUDDEN ACCELERATION WILL BRING SEAT FORCEFULLY AGAINST THE LEGS OF REAR PASSENGER. THIS OCCURRED TO US LAST YEAR. 3 SERVICE VISITS TO KIRKLAND, WA DEALERSHIP HAVE ALL RESULTED IN OUR BEING TOLD THAT THE SEATS ARE THE #1 COMPLAINT AND THAT THE OPERATION IS NORMAL. *TR

9/22/2012

CAR WAS STALLING AND SHUTTING OFF. HAD MY DAUGHTER IN THE CAR. COULDN'T START THE CAR AFTER 3 ATTEMPTS. THEN AFTER WAITING A GOOD 3 MINUTES STARTED THE CAR AND REVVED THE ENGINE AT 4000 RPM AND EVERYTHING SEEMED BACK TO NORMAL. DEALER HASN'T BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE. *TR

11/4/2011

REPORTED ELECTRICAL BURNING SMELL THRU VENTILATION SYSTEM. DEALERSHIP DENIED ELECTRICAL BURNING BUT FOUND GAS PUNCTURE IN PLASTIC GAS TANK, SAYS SMELL IS FROM BURNING GAS. (OWNER DISAGREES) HOWEVER WITH NO OTHER SUSPENSION OR BODY DAMAGE FOUND EXCEPT THE GAS TANK PUNCTURE THERE IS GREAT CONCERN THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS DANGEROUS DESIGN FLAW. THAT THE TANK CAN BE PUNCTURED SO EASILY WITHOUT THE KNOWLEDGE OF DRIVER OF ANY EVENT. *TR

10/18/2013

CAR WAS STALLING AND SHUTTING OFF. HAD MY DAUGHTER IN THE CAR. COULDN'T START THE CAR AFTER 3 ATTEMPTS. THEN AFTER WAITING A GOOD 3 MINUTES STARTED THE CAR AND REVVED THE ENGINE AT 4000 RPM AND EVERYTHING SEEMED BACK TO NORMAL. DEALER HASN'T BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE. *TR

11/4/2011

I PURCHASED VEHICLE CERTIFIED USED 20 JAN 2013. THE FIRST DAY OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, I NOTICED A STRONG BURNING SMELL INSIDE THE CABIN. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP 8 TIMES AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CANNOT RESOLVE THE ISSUE. I HAVE OPENED A CASE WITH CHRYSLER/ FIAT RESOLUTION TEAM. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE IS HORRIBLE! THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY WERE SENDING AN ENGINEER TO SERVICE THE CAR. AN ENGINEER WAS SUPPOSE TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE THIS WEEK AND THEY NEVER SHOWED UP. THE SERVICE REP AT THE DEALERSHIP RECALLED THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD THE SAME ISSUE BEFORE TRADING IT IN. THAT INFO WAS NOT DISCLOSED TO ME BEFORE PURCHASING. DEALERSHIP WILL NOT TAKE THE CAR BACK OR REPLACE IT, HEADQUARTERS INTERVENTION IS NOT PROACTIVE. THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

9/14/2013

HEAVY MOISTURE APPEARS ON THE INSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD AFTER CAR COOLS. COULD LEAD TO DAMAGE TO ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. *TR

1/1/2012

FROM CALIFORNIA VISITING FAMILY IN OKLAHOMA. AT THE TIME OF VISIT WE EXPERIENCED A WINTER COLD FRONT THAT BROUGHT ICE RAIN AND SNOW. WENT OUT ON THE MORNING OF THE INCIDENT TO WARM THE CARS IN THE YARD, AND THE TEMPERATURE AT THE TIME WAS 18 DEGREES WIND CHILL, WITH EFFECT WAS 5 DEGREES. STARTED THE CAR AND LET IT WARM UP FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES, AND HEAT AND DEFROST WERE NOT TURNED ON AT THE TIME, THEN AFTER 15 MINUTES WENT OUT TO TURN OFF ALL THE VEHICLES. I THEN TURNED OFF THE FIAT AND CLOSE THE DOORS AND TOOK TWO STEPS AWAY FROM CAR AND THE REAR WINDOW EXPLODED OUTWARD. WHEN I WARMED UP THE CAR, NO DEFROSTER WAS TURNED ON OF ANY KIND, I JUST TURNED THE CAR ON SO THE FLUIDS WOULDN'T FREEZE. I CALLED AHEAD OF TIME TO ASK ALL THE APPROPRIATE QUESTIONS BEFORE HEADING OUT TO 45 MINUTES TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEN I TOOK IT IN TO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT, AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A STANDARD 12 BY 12 SERVICE CONTRACT WITHOUT INSPECTING THE VEHICLE. THEY DIDN'T DO ANY DIAGNOSTIC TEST LIKE THEY SAID THEY WOULD OVER THE PHONE, THEY ONLY DID A OIL CHANGE THAT I ASKED FOR. THEY TOLD US THAT IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE FOR THIS TO HAPPEN, AND IT COULD ONLY BE CAUSED BY SOME TYPE OF IMPACT. THEY NEVER TOOK OFF THE PLASTIC ON THE WIDOWS THAT WE PUT ON TO HOLD WHAT GLASS THAT WAS LEFT IN PLACE. I CALLED CORPORATE AND TALKED TO SERVICE DEPARTMENT, AND GAVE THEM PERTINENT INFORMATION CONCERNING THE WINDOW. THEY OPEN THE FILE FOR US, AND CHECKED WARRANTIES. THEN I WAS ASKED TO DESCRIBE WHAT HAPPENED, SHE TOOK DOWN THAT INFORMATION, AND THEN WAS PUT ON HOLD, BECAUSE SHE NEED TO CONFER WITH THE TECHNICIANS AT THE DEALERSHIP. AFTER TALKING WITH THE TECHNICIAN, I WAS TOLD BY HER THAT THEY CONCLUDE THAT IT WAS IMPACT RELATED AND COULD NOT BE SERVICE UNDER ANY WARRANTY. WE FOUND ADDITIONAL SITUATIONS ON THE INTERNET ON FIAT WINDOWS EXPLODING. *TR

12/11/2013

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. APPARENTLY, THE SEAT BELT DOES NOT OR DID NOT REENGAGE AFTER THIS MOVEMENT LEAVING IT FREE AND THE DRIVER UNRESTRAINED. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

4/21/2013

LOCKING MECHANISM ON DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED. BUCKLE POPPED OPEN AND CANNOT BE LOCKED. MUST USE PASSENGER SIDE LOCKING MECHANISM IN ORDER TO PROTECT DRIVER. IF TWO PASSENGERS ARE IN THE FRONT SEAT, ONLY ONE CAN BE PROTECTED DUE TO THIS FAILURE. LOCKING MECHANISM APPEARS TO BE JAMMED OR LOCKED UP AND WILL NOT "CLICK" WHEN SEAT BELT TONGUE IS INSERTED PER FACTORY SPECIFICATIONS. THIS IS A DANGEROUS DEFECT AND MANUFACTURER STATES CANNOT FIX UNTIL "PARTS ARE AVAILABLE", ESTIMATED NOVEMBER 2014. *TR

6/26/2014

DASH DISPLAYS TWO MPH - ONE GAUGE AND ONE DIGITAL. WHEN DRIVING AT 50MPH, BOTH DISPLAY 50MPH. WHEN DRIVING ANY SLOWER OR FASTER, THEY DO NOT MATCH. WHEN DRIVING THROUGH A SCHOOL ZONE, THE GAUGE SHOWS 20MPH WHILE THE DIGITAL SHOWS 23MPH. WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, DIGITAL WILL SHOW 65MPH AND GAUGE SHOWS 68-70. THE ONLY TIME THE TWO MATCH IS WHEN I DRIVE A STEADY 50MPH. GAUGE SHOWS SLOWER WHEN DRIVING BELOW 50MPH AND SHOWS FASTER WHEN DRIVING ABOUT 50MPH. *TR

12/8/2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, INCLUDING THE LIGHTS, GAUGES, AND METERS, FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.

12/11/2015

I'D PULLED OVER IN A PARKING LOT TO TAKE A PHONE CALL (BLUETOOTH RECEPTION WAS STATIC-Y), AND WAS SITTING WITH MY FOOT RESTING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. I FELT A KICK UNDER MY FOOT, TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND REMOVED MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE AS I COMPLETED THE CALL. WHEN I STARTED THE CAR AND PULLED TO THE EDGE OF THE LOT'S EXIT, I OF COURSE STEPPED ON THE BRAKE TO STOP AND CHECK FOR TRAFFIC, BUT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS STUCK AND I ROLLED INTO THE STREET. I HOPE I USED THE HANDBRAKE TO STOP THE CAR, ALTHOUGH I REALLY DON'T REMEMBER. I DID REVERSE BACK INTO THE PARKING LOT, USING THE SLIGHT SLOPE OF THE DRIVEWAY TO ENSURE I COULD STOP ONCE OUT OF THE STREET. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. IT'S PROBABLY UNRELATED, BUT THE VOICE RECOGNITION SYSTEM WAS WORKING SPORADICALLY THAT SAME MORNING. *KB

12/31/2011

HEAVY MOISTURE APPEARS ON THE INSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD AFTER CAR COOLS. COULD LEAD TO DAMAGE TO ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. *TR

1/1/2012

REALLY COLD MORNING, UPON STARTING, THE TPMS REPORTED THE LEFT FRONT TIRE LOW ON PRESSURE. AND TIRE LIGHT STAYED ON. I HAD ALL 4 TIRES CHECKED AND FILLED TO SPECS, CONTINENTAL TIRES, BUT THE TIRE LIGHT STAYED ON FOR THE NEXT DAY AND A HALF, WHEREIN I DROVE ABOUT 65 MILES, AND TURNED THE CAR ON/OFF NUMEROUS TIMES. (AT WORK, STORE, OVERNIGHT, ETC.) THE TIRE PLACE THAT I TOOK THE CAR TOO TO HAVE THE AIR CHECKED, WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE HOW TO RESET THE TPMS. THERE WAS NOTHING OUT ABOUT THIS CAR YET. (FYI, YOU CAN USE A CHRYSLER RESET UNIT) THE TIRE LIGHT FINALLY WENT OUT THE NEXT DAY ON IT'S OWN ON THE WAY HOME FROM WORK. WENT TO THE FIAT DEALERSHIP A FEW DAYS LATER TO FIND OUT HOW TO RESET THE TPMS IF/WHEN IT HAPPENS AGAIN. THE SERVICE MANAGER CHECKED IT OUT. LET AIR OUT UNTIL THE LIGHT CAME ON, THEN FILLED IT TO THE CORRECT PRESSURE, THEN DROVE IT ABOUT 50 FEET, AND THE TPMS LIGHT RESET ITSELF. SO, THE SYSTEM APPEARS TO OPERATING PROPERLY NOW AFTER WHAT I HAD OBSERVED. WILL WATCH TO SEE IF IT BECOMES A PROBLEM. *TR

1/16/2012

THE STEERING COLUMN, DOWN BY THE FLOOR SUCKED MY FLOOR MAT UP UNDER MY ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDAL. I COULD NOT BRAKE, OR TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. *TR...UPDATED 06/28/13 *BF

2/28/2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN USING THE WINDOW SWITCH FOR THE WINDOW TO CLOSE UPWARD, THE WINDOW WOULD INSTEAD OPEN FARTHER AND TRAVEL DOWNWARD. WHEN THE WINDOW WAS ENGAGED TO BE OPENED, THE WINDOW WOULD INSTEAD TRAVEL UPWARD AND CLOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BUILT TO OPERATE IN THE MANNER IN WHICH IT WAS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE TO THE CONTACT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 3,000. *TR

3/26/2013

DRIVER-SIDE SIDE MIRROR VIBRATES MAKING THE OBJECTS IN THE MIRROR BLURRY AND THIS IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE. IT IS THE 500C FIAT VIN [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

6/23/2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE KEY BECOME STUCK IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000.

8/22/2013

AFTER DEALER REPLACED FAULTY REAR MAIN SEAL IN JULY/AUGUST 2013, REAR WIPER BLADE WOULD ACTIVATE WITH CONTROLS IN OFF POSITION, CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO MOVE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL ARM UP AND DOWN, AND THEN REAR WIPER BLADES WOULD STOP. ALSO THE CAR STARTER WOULD INTERMITTENTLY MAKE A ELECTRICAL NOISE AFTER TURNING THE KEY AND THE CAR WOULDN'T START, THEN I HAD TO TURN KEY TWO TO THREE TIMES TO START CAR. AFTER TWO MONTHS WITH ABOVE, IN COLD WEATHER BELOW 35 DEGREES THE STEREO, CD PLAYER, BLUEME SYSTEMS WON'T WORK! IT ONLY STARTS TO WORK AFTER THE CAR AND SURROUNDING ENVIRONMENT REACHES 40-45 DEGREES. CALLED INTO DEALER AND HAVE APPOINTMENT FOR CHECKING ALL AND REPAIR/REPLACE COMPONENTS NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND SAFELY. *TR

11/7/2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, A BURNING ODOR WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS FLICKERED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 3/13/15*CN THE CONSUMER STATED IN 2013 THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. UPDATED 10/8/2015*JS

1/13/2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE CLUTCH PEDAL AND A LOUD NOISE WAS PRESENT. THE CLUTCH PEDAL STIFFENED AND SEIZED. AS A RESULT, THE SHIFTER FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER SERVICE CENTER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V302000 (POWER TRAIN). THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

8/26/2016