Model year guide

2012 Fiat 500

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2012 Fiat 500 is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 259 on record.

2012 Fiat 500 — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2012 Fiat 500 at a glance

Safety recalls4
Owner complaints394
Overall safety3 / 5 ★
Combined31 mpg
Typical price$7,791

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2012 Fiat 500 recalls 4

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:fluid NHTSA Campaign #11V550000 · 10/11/2011

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.

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.

Power Train:manual Transmission:floor Shift Assembly NHTSA Campaign #19E044000 · 03/07/2019

DLT, LLC. is recalling certain CravenSpeed Fiat Short Shifter shafts sold for use in 2011-2019 Fiat 500 vehicles. The Shifter Shaft may have been improperly manufactured with a through hole for the set screw rather than a blind hole, which may lead to the breakage of the Shifter Shaft.

Fix: DLT has notified owners, and will provide a complete replacement shifter assembly with an updated shaft, free of charge. The recall began July 24, 2019. Owners may contact DLT customer service at 1-503-505-6886.

Power Train:manual Transmission NHTSA Campaign #16V302000 · 16/05/2016

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2012-2016 Fiat 500 vehicles manufactured June 21, 2010, through January 12, 2016, equipped with a manual transmission. The clutch diaphragm spring may fracture and fail, causing an inability to switch gears.

Fix: The remedy for this recall will include the installation of a clutch pedal limiter and a clutch pedal switch. The recall began on November 10, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S34.

Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift NHTSA Campaign #19V817000 · 15/11/2019

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Fiat 500 vehicles equipped with 6-speed automatic transmissions. The shifter cable bushing may fail allowing the cable to detach from the transmission.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter cable adjuster, free of charge. The recall began January 9, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is VB4.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2012 Fiat 500 common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 394 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Wheels
Inspect wheels for bends, cracks and curb rash, and feel for vibration at highway speed.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Child Seat
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

2012 Fiat 500 safety ratings

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2012 Fiat 500 3 HB FWD Later Release. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2012 Fiat 500 MPG & running costs

Combined31 mpg
City29 mpg
Highway35 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,500

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2012 Fiat 500 worth?

Low
$5,900
Typical price
$7,791
High
$10,000

From 258 comparable 2012 Fiat 500 listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2012 Fiat 500 costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$12,500
Fuel only$12,500
Per mile$0.17

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2012 Fiat 500 trims & engines on record

Trims
Sport · Pop · Lounge · C Pop · C Lounge · Abarth
Engines
1.4L 4-cyl

2012 Fiat 500 vehicles on record

Other Fiat 500 model years

2012 Fiat 500 — frequently asked questions

Does the 2012 Fiat 500 have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for the 2012 Fiat 500. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Fiat 500?

Based on 394 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are power train, electrical system, wheels.

What is the 2012 Fiat 500 safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2012 Fiat 500 an overall crash-test rating of 3 out of 5 stars (frontal 4★, side 3★, rollover 4★).

What gas mileage does the 2012 Fiat 500 get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2012 Fiat 500 at about 31 mpg combined (29 city / 35 highway).

How much is a 2012 Fiat 500 worth?

Comparable 2012 Fiat 500 listings run roughly $5,900–$10,000, typically around $7,791 (from 258 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.