2017 Fiat 124 Spider Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2017 Fiat 124 Spider, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Airbags1442.4%
- Electrical618.2%
- Engine412.1%
- Fuel system26.1%
- Seat belts26.1%
- Visibility26.1%
- Driver assistance13.0%
- Body & structure13.0%
- Exterior lighting13.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
My dealership where I bought my car let me know of a recall my vehicle had during an oil change. I then asked if they could fix it to where they said no, that only FIAT could fix it or another dealership about 40 minutes away. I then went to that other dealership and they told me no because it had to be done through the dealership I bought the car from. Then the guy told me he had the parts but he won't do it because he won't get paid for it. I've looked up so many places and nobody wants to do it so what am I supposed to do? Wait for the car to break down. They are literally the worst people and lazy. They once left "forgot" to put my skid plate back on and when I told them the next time I went the lady told me they would never do such a thing or let me go months without it, but they did. This dealership is 2 hours away I can't keep going back and forth arguing with them I need this resolved now, it's been months close to a year since they mentioned the recall.
ALARM KEEPS RANDOMLY GOING OFF, DOESN'T MATTER HOW FAST YOU ARE GOING, WHAT GEAR, WHAT TYPE OF ROAD, WENT OFF 15 TIMES ONE DAY, 5 TIMES THE NEXT DAY
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE WILL STALL WHILE DRIVING - TYPICALLY THE VEHICLE WILL DISPLAY THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL (ETC) WARNING LIGHT PRIOR TO STALL. STALL WILL HAPPEN WHILE ACTIVELY DRIVING. ENGINE INDICATOR LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATES. DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED 5 TIMES TO CORRECT. EACH TIME THE DEALER DELIVERS VEHICLE. WITHIN 24 HOURS OF DELIVERY, THE ENGINE AGAIN BEGINS TO HESITATE AND STALL, ETC AND CEL LIGHT COME ON.
THERMOSTAT, EXCELERATOR PEDAL, REPLACED AND WINDOW WASHER TUBE REINSTALLED AT 2,477 MILES. AT 3,014 MILS CAR WAS TOWED 2 TIMES IN A WEEK FOR CAR NOT STARTING. THE SPARK PLUGS WERE OIL SOAKED AND FOULED OUT. THE MOST RECENT WAS NOW AT 4,681 MILES THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON , CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND VACUUM PUMP GASKET WENT AND WAS LOW IN COOLANT. EACH TIME THE CAR WAS IN FOR 4 DAYS AT A TIME. FCA PAID FOR 3 TOWS. I NOW HAVE A YEAR OLD CAR WITH UNDER 5,000 MILES ON IT. EACH TIME IT WAS TOWED FROM IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
Boyh seatbelts do not retract properly
SEAT BELTS DON'T FULLY RETRACT AND COULD NOT PROTECT IN AN EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT AS THEY ARE NOT TIGHT AGAINST THE BODY.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
THIS CAR HAS BEEN TOWED IN 3 TIMES WITH STATING PROBLEMS, ENGINE LEAKING OIL AND ALL LIGHTS COMING ON DASH. IT HAS BEEN BACK TO DEALER 7 TIMES AND I ONLY HAVE 4700 MILES ON A 1 YEAR OLD CAR. EACH TIME THE CAR WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY
THERMOSTAT, EXCELERATOR PEDAL, REPLACED AND WINDOW WASHER TUBE REINSTALLED AT 2,477 MILES. AT 3,014 MILS CAR WAS TOWED 2 TIMES IN A WEEK FOR CAR NOT STARTING. THE SPARK PLUGS WERE OIL SOAKED AND FOULED OUT. THE MOST RECENT WAS NOW AT 4,681 MILES THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON , CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND VACUUM PUMP GASKET WENT AND WAS LOW IN COOLANT. EACH TIME THE CAR WAS IN FOR 4 DAYS AT A TIME. FCA PAID FOR 3 TOWS. I NOW HAVE A YEAR OLD CAR WITH UNDER 5,000 MILES ON IT. EACH TIME IT WAS TOWED FROM IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2017 Fiat 124 Spyder. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V694000 (AIR BAGS) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. 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 stated that the digitizer delaminated, and he could no longer read the information on the display and was also obstructing the rearview camera display. The contact referenced Technical Service Bulletin: SA-027/24 as possible cause for the failure. The local dealer was contacted, and the vehicle was inspected; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact was provided and estimate for the repair; however, the contact emphasized that the cost for repair was unjust due to the technical service bulletin. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 35,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY WINDSHIELD FRACTURED AND CRACKED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON NC 101 IN CARTERET COUNTY. I NEITHER HEARD OR SAW ANYTHING HIT THE CAR. I PUT IN A CLAIM TO NATIONWIDE INSURANCE COMPANY AND WAS GIVEN AN APPOINTMENT FOR REPLACEMENT WITH SAFE LIGHT AUTO GLASS. THIS WAS MAY 15, 2017. ON THE DAY OF MY APPOINTMENT I WAS TOLD THE WIND SHIELD WAS NOT AVAILABLE. IT WOULD BE 2-3 WEEKS. I CALLED IN JUNE AROUND THE 15TH AND WAS TOLD THE WINDSHIELD WAS NOT BEING RELEASED BY THE MANUFACTURER. I THEN CONTACTED TOLER JEEP, WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR. THEY ALSO SAID THEY COULD NOT GET THE WINDSHIELD FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS IT WAS NOT BEING RELEASED. I CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THEY DID NOT HAVE THE WINDSHIELD BUT EXPECTED IT TO BE RELEASED IN 1-2 WEEKS. AROUND JULY 15 I CALLED THE REPAIR COMPANY, I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND I AGAIN CALLED FIAT. I WAS PUT OFF AGAIN AND TOLD THE WINDSHIELD WOULD BE RELEASED ON AUGUST 3. WHEN I CALLED THE FIAT COMPANY LAST WEEK, I WAS AGAIN TOLD THE WINDSHIELD WAS NOT READY FOR RELEASE AGAIN. THIS IS A BRAND NEW CAR. I AM SURE THE COMPANY IS STILL MAKING THE CAR AND HAS WINDSHIELDS TO SEND OUT FOR REPAIR. IF THEY CAN NOT REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD, THEY SHOULD REPLACE THE CAR OR AT THE VERY LEAST PAY MY DEDUCTIBLE FOR MY TROUBLE. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO LOOK THROUGH A DEFECT IN THE WINDSHIELD FOR 3 MONTHS NOW. IN A BRAND NEW SPORTS CAR!!!
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FIAT 124 SPIDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE CAR ALARM SYSTEM RANDOMLY ACTIVATED. WHEN THE ALARM ACTIVATED, THE HORN AND THE EMERGENCY LIGHTS TURNED ON. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND TURNED ON THE VEHICLE, THE ALARM SYSTEM DEACTIVATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT AFTER DRIVING FOR 10 MINUTES THE ALARM SYSTEM ACTIVATED AGAIN. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE THE FAILURE OCCURRED 19 TIMES AND EVERY TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED THE CONTACT HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 888-242-6342 AND WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER ASKED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. A CASE NUMBER 32632158 WAS PROVIDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 900.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .