Is the 2012 Fiat 500 reliable?

The 2012 Fiat 500 has 537 complaints filed with NHTSA (3.8x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: avoid. Most common issue: TRANSMISSION problems.

What are common problems with the 2012 Fiat 500?

Top problems: TRANSMISSION (202 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (63 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (53 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2012 Fiat 500?

Yes, there are 4 recall(s): SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID, POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:FLOOR SHIFT ASSEMBLY, POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT. Contact any Fiat dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2012 Fiat 500?

The 2012 Fiat 500 gets 31 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1548. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2012 Fiat 500?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2012 Fiat 500 is approximately $1,508/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2012 Fiat 500

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2012 Fiat 500 has 537 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 3.8x the segment average of 141. The most common issue is transmission problems (38% of all complaints), specifically: 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.. There are 4 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 5 fire reports filed.

5 fire reports 24 crash reports 17 injuries

537

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

3/5

Safety Stars

3.8x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

TRANSMISSION

202 complaints

38%

• 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.
• 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 RE
• 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

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“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.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2012 Fiat 500

Based on 397 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 46K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

138

30-60K

115

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 41K mi · 52 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 31K mi · 42 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

AIR BAGS

In line with typicalmedian 67K mi · 22 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SUSPENSION

In line with typicalmedian 46K mi · 14 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

VISIBILITY

In line with typicalmedian 37K mi · 11 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SEATS/RESTRAINTS

In line with typicalmedian 33K mi · 10 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (4)

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID10/11/2011

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 DODGE JOURNEY AND FIAT 500 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 24, 2011, THROUGH OCTOBER 26, 2011. SOME VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH CONTAMINATED BRAKE FLUID AND MAY EXPERIENCE A DEGRADATION OF THE SEALING COMPONENTS WITHIN THE BRAKE SYSTEM.

Risk: THIS COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Fix: CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE ALL BRAKE COMPONENTS THAT COME IN CONTACT WITH HYDRAULIC BRAKE FLUID. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 1, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2012 Fiat 500

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,549

Per month

$129

Per mile

12.9¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$1,778/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,298/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2012 Fiat 500

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,508

Full coverage / month

$126

Liability only / year

$623

vs US avg

-10%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.02x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1508

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Fiat New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

4 yr / 50K mi

Powertrain

4 yr / 50K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

4 yr / 50K mi

These are the terms for a new Fiat. If you're buying a used 2012 500, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Fiat dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 537 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
TRANSMISSION: 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.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: 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
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: 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
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: 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
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 4 recalls have been completed — free at any Fiat dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)