RoadVitals

2017 Fiat 124 Spider

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
32
Latest Jun 29, 2026
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Sep 18, 2024
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2

Overview

Our database contains 32 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2017 Fiat 124 Spider, most frequently naming the airbags, electrical and engine categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 76 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Airbags1442.4%
  • Electrical618.2%
  • Engine412.1%
  • Fuel system26.1%
  • Seat belts26.1%
  • Visibility26.1%
  • Driver assistance13.0%
  • Body & structure13.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE

Sep 18, 2024
15,835 units potentially affected
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2020 Fiat 124 Spider vehicles. A software error in the air bag control module may cause the front air bags to deploy with excessive force during a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
The risk: An air bag that deploys with excessive force can increase the risk of injury.
The remedy: Dealers will update the air bag control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 26, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is A3B.
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)Manufacturer number A3BView on NHTSA.gov

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

Feb 5, 2019
8,950 units potentially affected
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Fiat Spider 124 vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. Due to incorrect programming of the Transmission Control Module (TCM), certain conditions may cause the vehicle to unexpectedly downshift and abruptly decelerate.
The risk: If a downshift occurs, the vehicle will suddenly decrease speed, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the TCM software, free of charge. The recall began March 28, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V20.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC)Manufacturer number V20View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Engine
Filed Jun 29, 2026

When the automobile isn’t driven or started for 3 weeks or more the engine will not start. The multiair system will lose its oil pressure. The manufacturer needs to do a recall to fix this problem. This car isn’t designed to be an everyday driver and this is a well known and documented problem.

NHTSA ID
11747162
Incident
Jun 26, 2026
Airbags
Filed Aug 11, 2025

The contact owns a 2017 Fiat 124 Spider. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V694000 (AIR BAGS); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The contact was informed that the dealer was not equipped with the tools to repair the vehicle.

NHTSA ID
11679879
Incident
May 15, 2025
Engine
Filed Jun 12, 2025

Vehicle has been consuming excessive amount of oil & has affected my engine and turbo. When the oil is low, car will just turn off and stop running.

NHTSA ID
11666626
Incident
Jun 9, 2023
Airbags
Filed Jun 11, 2025

I am writing to formally express my concern and disappointment regarding the lack of transparency and communication surrounding the airbag recall for the Fiat 124, first issued in 2024. As of today, Fiat has not provided any meaningful updates, solutions, or timelines regarding this serious safety issue. There has been no information uploaded to official channels, nor have customers been contacted with guidance or offered temporary remedies. This silence is particularly alarming given the nature of the defect—involving airbags, a critical safety component that can mean the difference between life and death in an accident. To date, there has been no call for refunds, replacements, or even interim safety measures while Fiat “works on finding a reliable outcome for the future.” This delay, paired with a lack of communication, suggests a disregard for customer safety and a failure to meet basic standards of accountability. I urge Fiat to immediately provide an update to the public regarding the status of this recall, including what steps are being taken, projected timelines, and what current owners of the affected vehicles should do in the meantime. Anything less is unacceptable when dealing with an issue of this magnitude.

NHTSA ID
11666363
Incident
Jun 2, 2025
Airbags
Filed Jun 3, 2025

The contact owns a 2017 Fiat 124 Spider. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V694000 (AIR BAGS); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID
11664672
Incident
Oct 15, 2024
Airbags
Filed May 28, 2025

The contact owns a 2017 Fiat 124 Spider. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V694000 (AIR BAGS); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID
11663350
Incident
May 28, 2025
Airbags
Filed May 22, 2025

I received the airbag recall letter in December (recall A3B)on my 2017 Spyder Fiat. I understand that the recall started in September.I have called Fiat every month since. I am always advised the parts are not available with no update on when the parts will become available. The airbag warning light is on. Due to the safety recall the car is not safe to drive. Fiat does not seem in any hurry to provide a remedy. This puts the onus on the customer. I am paying insurance and long term warranty on a car I can’t drive. Surely a corporation should bear the responsibility to provide a timely solution.

NHTSA ID
11662603
Incident
Dec 1, 2024
Airbags
Filed May 16, 2025

*I received a safety recall notice for the airbag deployment early November 2024. *I’ve contacted the dealership twice and they claim to not have the necessary part. *I’ve called manufacturer FIAT / FCA on 11/20/24 case #91148616, 12/12/24 and4/28/25. *Other Fiat owners have also reached out to FCA unsuccessfully for this repair. *Evidently there is no specific part needed, according to the document I received it is a software update – so I don’t understand why they’re not correcting this immediately!?

NHTSA ID
11661577
Incident
Nov 4, 2024

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

31-001-25 REV. B

STRUCTURE:BODY

Aluminum Body Panel Corrosion Repair Aluminum corrosion or bubbling along the leading edge of hood, hinges or other exterior surface areas of the hinges, doors, fenders, swing gates or liftgates.

31-001-25 REV. A

STRUCTURE:BODY

Aluminum Body Panel Corrosion Repair Aluminum corrosion or bubbling along the leading edge of hood, hinges or other exterior surface areas of the hinges, doors, fenders, swing gates or liftgates.

31-001-25

STRUCTURE:BODY

Aluminum Body Panel Corrosion Repair Aluminum corrosion or bubbling along the leading edge of hood, hinges or other exterior surface areas of the hinges, doors, fenders, swing gates or liftgates

31-001-24

STRUCTURE:BODY

"Aluminum Body Panel Corrosion Repair Aluminum corrosion or bubbling along the leading edge of hood, hinges or other exterior surface areas of the hinges, doors, fenders, swing gates or liftgates. NOTE: Verify current warranty policy to determine if digital imaging pre-authorization is required or pre-approval is required from the Regional Office; depending on market. This bulletin involves inspecting and if necessary removing corrosion and refinishing the suspect aluminum panels on the vehicle, hood, door, fenders, hinges, swing gates or liftgate panels."

S1408000384

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

Start Stop Charging Warning Lamp Illuminated On, Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS) State of Charge (SOC) Inaccurate, Battery Charging Message, Presence of IBS related Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs), or Battery Warning Lamp On

9100229

SUSPENSION

LIFTER, Hydraulic Roller Deactivating Please do not replace MDS lifters because the disconnecting pin is not lined up, this is normal and not a defect.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Fiat 124 Spider by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2020810
2019930
2018162045.9
2017Viewing322044.6

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.