Owner-reported complaints naming the driver-assistance system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Driver assistance reportsComplaints 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.
20
Latest Oct 5, 2020
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
5%
of 394 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
3
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1
What this page shows
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2012 Fiat 500 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 20 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Owner reports naming driver-assistance
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
Driver assistance
Filed Oct 5, 2020
Crash reported
MY WIFE WAS EXITING A MALL PARKING LOT TO PULL INTO THE LEFT TURN LANE OF THE ADJOINING ROAD (A VERY SHORT DISTANCE, PERHAPS 25 FEET). THERE WAS A CAR ALREADY IN THE LEFT TURN LANE, WHICH WAS WAITING FOR THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL TO CHANGE. WHILE PULLING IN BEHIND THIS CAR, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE CAR SUDDENLY AND RAPIDLY ACCELERATED. PRESSING HARDER ON THE BRAKE HAD NO EFFECT. WITH ONLY 1 OR 2 SECONDS TO REACT, A FUTILE ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO STEER CLEAR OF THE CAR AHEAD, WHICH WAS STRUCK. THE FIAT THEN VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND HIT A SECOND CAR THAT HAD BEEN WAITING FOR THE LIGHT IN THE RIGHT LANE. THE SECOND CAR WAS PUSHED INTO A VEHICLE AHEAD OF IT WHICH HAD ALSO BEEN WAITING FOR THE LIGHT. AFTER STRIKING THIS SECOND VEHICLE, THE FIAT FINALLY CAME TO A HALT IN THE RIGHT LANE.
NHTSA ID
11362893
Incident
Sep 21, 2020
Mileage
45,310 mi
Driver assistanceEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 16, 2020
WHILE DRIVING HOME VIA LOCAL CITY SURFACE STREETS, THE GEARBOX FAIL LIGHT AND THE HAVE TRANSMISSION CHECKED MESSAGE CAME UP ON THE DASH CLUSTER. I DROVE THE CAR 4 MORE MILES TO A SERVICE STATION, STOPPING TWICE ON THE WAY. THE CAR BEGAN RUNNING POORLY. INCLUDING BUCKING, REVVING HIGH, WHILE STAYING AT LOW SPEED, STALLING AND BUCKING AT LIGHTS LOW IDLE OR STOPS. THE SERVICE STATION SAID OTHER THAN A LOW NUMBER (4 TIMES PER 1000 I THINK...A CYLINDER MISFIRE) NO CODES CAME UP. WHEN RESET THE CAR WOULD RUN BRIEFLY AS NORMAL BUTAT FIRST STOP ALL ISSUES WOULD RESUME IN FULL AGAIN. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR HOME (2 BLOCKS) BUT WAS NOT SURE IT WOULD MAKE IT. IT SITS IN MY PARKING SPOT AS WE SPEAK.
NHTSA ID
11339746
Incident
Jun 16, 2020
Mileage
79,250 mi
Driver assistanceEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 30, 2019
OIL PRESURE LIGHT COMES ON SAYING STOP TURN ENGINE OFF LOW IOL PRESSURE AFTER I DRIVE IT FOR ABOUT 10 MINS I GUESS AFTER IT GET HOT. THEN CHEXK ENGINE LIGGT COMES WITH IT. OTHER PEOPLE HAS AND ARE GOING THREW THE SAME THING WITH 2012 FIAT 509 SPORTS. ITS ALL OVER THE YOU TUBE WHY IS THIS HAPPING. I REPLACE OIL PRESURE SENSOR AND CHANGED MY OIL SAME THING IT DIDNT CHANGE ANYTHING ASKING FOR A RECALL ON THE OIL PUM OR WHAT IS CAUSING THIS. PLUS IT MAKEA A SOUND AFTER DRIVING AT THE SAME TIME IT SHOWS UP WHILE PUSHING GAS PEDAL
NHTSA ID
11265211
Incident
Sep 2, 2019
Driver assistanceEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 19, 2017
I CALLED FIAT 800-992-1997 I ASKED ABOUT THE RECALL ON MY VEHICLE FOR THE 100TH TIME THEY TOLD ME THAT I WOULD NEED TO TAKE MY VIN # [XXX] IN FOR A DIAGNOSTIC BEFORE I COULD GET THE RECALL FIXED FOR MY CLUTCH I TOLD FIAT I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY FOR A DIAGNOSTIC AND I WOULD HAVE TO SAVE UP SO IT WILL TAKE ANOTHER YEAR FOR ME TO HAVE THE RECALL COMPLETE SO I WILL JUST KEEP MY CAR HERE AT HOME AN CHOOSE NOT TO DRIVE IT I WILL RENT CARS INSTEAD ALSO THE CAR CAN NOT BE BOUGHT TRANSFERRED OR SOLD WITH OUT THE COMPLETED RECALL! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ID
11024140
Incident
Sep 17, 2017
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Jul 26, 2017
ELECTRICAL ISSUES THROUGHOUT THE CAR CAUSING THE TRUNK TO NOT BE ABLE TO OPEN. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO CHANGE SPARK PLUGS AND IGNITION COIL. LIGHT BULBS IN MIDDLE CONSOLE ALL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. ENGINE AND AIR FILTERS
NHTSA ID
11010782
Incident
Jul 26, 2017
Mileage
68,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceEngine
Filed Jun 19, 2017
HI, I HAVE HAD SEVERAL ISSUES WITH MY CAR WHICH HAVE HAD SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO FIX. SAFETY CONCERNS REGARDING THE CRUISE CONTROL LOCKING UP ON MY VEHICLE, CONVERTIBLE TOP STILL NOT ADJUSTING AND BLOCKING LINE OF SIGHT IN THE BACK SO YOU CANNOT SEE WHAT IS BEHIND YOU WHILE DRIVING, AND START UP ISSUES WITH CAR NOT ALWAYS STARTING UP CORRECTLY, HAVING MISFIRES. THE CAR HAS ONLY BEEN WORKED ON THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AT THE FIAT OF VAN NUYS, CA. THE CAR HAS BEEN WORKED ON SEVERAL TIMES SINCE I FIRST PURCHASED IT BACK IN JAN OF 2013. I AM SEEKING OUT ANY HELP NECESSARY AS I HAVE HAD THESE SAFETY CONCERNS SINCE I FIRST GOT THE CAR TO NOW AND I AM FEEL VERY UNSAFE WITH THE WORK THAT HAS BEEN DONE AS WELL AS MY OWN SAFETY AS WELL AS OTHERS. THANK YOU, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB
NHTSA ID
10995903
Incident
Oct 16, 2016
Mileage
42,000 mi
AirbagsDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Jan 17, 2017
Crash reported1 injury reported
TAKATA RECALL - CHRYSLER OWNS FIAT AND I HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY AIR BAGS ON A 2012 FIAT. I WAS IN A SMALL FENDER BENDER. ALL AIR BAGS OPENED BUT ALL THE FRONT AIR BAGS RUPTURED. NO ONE ELSE WAS IN THE CAR WITH ME BUT THE SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT DID NOT KICK IN. ALL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. I HAD INJURIES WHICH WERE A FRACTURED ELBOW, DISLOCATED MY ARM IN TWO PLACES. SINCE THEN I AM HAVING TROUBLE WITH MY SHOULDER, NECK, HEADACHES, AND MY BACK. I AM GOING TO THE DOCTORS AND PHYSICAL THERAPY. PLEASE GET BACK TO ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AS I AM GOING TO HIRE AN ATTORNEY TO SEE WHAT CAN BE DONE. MY INSURANCE COMPANY CONSIDER IT A TOTAL LOSS. *TR
NHTSA ID
10945714
Incident
Dec 6, 2016
Mileage
63,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Dec 30, 2016
THERE IS AN EXISTING RECALL S34 / NHTSA 16V -302 ON MY VEHICLE. THE SERVICE CENTER, HELFMAN FIAT ALFA ROMEO MASERATI 7720 KATY FWY, HOUSTON, TX 77024 IS UNABLE TO REMEDY THIS DEFECT UNTIL MAY 24TH 2017. THIS IS AN UNREASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME.
NHTSA ID
10938848
Incident
Nov 20, 2016
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed Oct 27, 2016
MANUAL CLUTCH RECALL RECEIVED JUNE 2016. PER ONLY RHODE ISLAND DEALER, FIAT STILL HAS NOT PROVIDED THE REPAIR PARTS AS OF OCTOBER 27, 2016. SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AS CLUTCH CONTINUES TO STICK OR NOT RETURN UNPREDICTABLY IN MOVING TRAFFIC SITUATIONS. FIVE MONTHS HAVE PASSED SINCE RECALL AND MANUFACTURER HAS FAILED TO REMEDY. NHTSA SHOULD IMPOSE A SERIOUS AND EXEMPLARY FINE AND OTHER PENALTY. RECALL IS S34 / NHTSA 16V-302. PLEASE RESPOND TO ME AT [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ID
10919313
Incident
Oct 27, 2016
Mileage
18,500 mi
BrakesDriver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 1, 2016
FAILED CLUTCH COVER DIAPHRAGM SPRING MAY RESULT IN THE INABILITY TO DISENGAGE THE CLUTCH, SHIFT GEARS AND THE POTENTIAL FOR A LOSS OF MOTIVE POWERWHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. NO ACCIDENTS TO REPORT
NHTSA ID
10892203
Incident
Aug 1, 2016
Driver assistanceEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 12, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FIAT 500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT A BURNING PLASTIC ODOR EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO START. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURES RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH PEDAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V302000 (POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ID
10884199
Incident
Feb 16, 2013
Mileage
38,000 mi
AirbagsDriver assistanceFuel system
Filed Sep 29, 2015
I TOOK MY CAR IN TO FIAT IN SLC UTAH KEN GARFF THEY TOOK MY CAR SAID I HAD AN OIL LEAK THEN CAME BACK AND SAID I NEEDED A CATALYST CONVERTER I BELIEVE THE ELECTRONIC SYSTEM HAS BEEN HACKED INTO BY THE DEALERSHIP IN ORDER TO MAKE MONEY WHICH PUTS ME AND MY 13 YEAR OLD CHILD ARE AT RISK IN THIS CAR PLEASE HELP I HAVE BEEN THOUGH THIS SAME THING IN BUFORD GA PLEASE HELP I WANT FIAT TO BUY MY CAR BACK I OWN IT OUT RIGHT PLEASE I DONT TRUST THE DEALER SOMETHING IS GOING ON WITH THE ELECTONIC SYSTEM
NHTSA ID
10778316
Incident
Sep 22, 2015
Mileage
122,290 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Nov 3, 2014
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND DROPPED SPEED QUICKLY, WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE TO THE BATTERY AS THE CAR WAS BRAND NEW. TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK IN FOR REPAIR, AND IT HAS HAPPENED THREE MORE TIMES SINCE THAT OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS. TWO OF THOSE TIMES WERE ALSO ON THE HIGHWAY. THE MOST RECENT WAS LAST MONTH (SEPTEMBER 13, 2014) WHILE MAKING A U-TURN AT A LIGHT IN FRONT OF MOVING TRAFFIC THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF RIGHT AFTER MY TURN. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE AND THE CAR BEHIND ME SAW ME IN TIME TO STOP. *TR
NHTSA ID
10652213
Incident
Jul 1, 2012
Mileage
500 mi
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 23, 2014
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
NHTSA ID
10638292
Incident
Aug 4, 2012
Mileage
3,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Aug 29, 2014
Crash reported
THIS OCCURRED ABOUT 6 TIMES ALREADY. WHEN MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF AND COASTS UNTIL YOU STOP TO SHUT IT OFF AND TURN BACK ON. THE BATTERY AND OIL PRESSURE LIGHTS COME ON DURING THE COASTING. CAME VERY CLOSE TO BEING HIT TWICE DUE TO THIS PROBLEM, BUT THE DEALER SAY THEY HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE. *TR
NHTSA ID
10629299
Incident
Sep 12, 2012
Driver assistanceElectricalSteering
Filed Jun 16, 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
NHTSA ID
10598709
Incident
Jun 12, 2014
Mileage
49,837 mi
Driver assistance
Filed May 5, 2014
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
NHTSA ID
10586678
Incident
Oct 1, 2012
Mileage
5,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Feb 1, 2014
I EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION TWICE THIS WEEK. THE FIRST INCIDENT TOOK PLACE ON JANUARY 31, 2014. THE OTHER WAS FEBRUARY 1, 2014. BOTH INCIDENTS TOOK PLACE AT LOW SPEEDS. BASICALLY AS I WAS COMING TO A STOP, THE CAR JUST ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL. I WAS UNDER 5MPH ON BOTH INCIDENTS. WHAT IT FEELS LIKE IS AS I AM COMING TO A SLOW DOWN THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT GO DOWN IN GEAR AND JUST THRUSTS AND TAKES OFF. I RAN INTO A HEDGE IN THE PARKING LOT ON THE FEBRUARY 1ST INCIDENT. I WAS ABLE TO APPLY THE BRAKES, BUT NOT IN TIME TO AVOID THE COLLISION WITH THE HEDGE. I DID NOT HAVE MY FOOT ON, OR NEAR THE ACCELERATOR. BOTH TIMES MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. *TR
NHTSA ID
10562500
Incident
Feb 1, 2014
Mileage
12,400 mi
AirbagsDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Oct 31, 2013
AIR BAG LIGHTS ARE NOT SHOWING ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER THE AIRBAGS ARE NOT WORKING! *TR
NHTSA ID
10550428
Incident
Jul 25, 2013
Mileage
3,500 mi
Driver assistanceOther / unspecifiedSteering
Filed Feb 28, 2013
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
NHTSA ID
10500790
Incident
Feb 15, 2013
Mileage
5,600 mi
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.
Other components reported on this vehicle
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own