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2012 Fiat 500 brakes problems

13 complaints (3% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 58,000. 1 crash reported.

owner complaints
13
of this car's complaints
3%
typical mileage
58,000
crashes
1
recalls
1

Which part fails

Owners did not name a specific part.

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Fiat 500 brakes problems in other years

20112012201320142015201620172018

Specific symptoms reported on the 2012 Fiat 500 brakes

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Grinding brakes 7

Related recalls

Service brakes, hydraulic: fluidReported November 10, 2011 · 340 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Remedy
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.

Recall number 11V550000 · Recall details

What 2012 Fiat 500 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jun 8, 2020 · Brakes, Suspension · 44,161 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 fiat 500. The contact stated that after driving, the tires were extremely warm. The vehicle was taken to a tire specialist to be inspected. The contact was informed that the passenger's side front control arm bolt loosened from the vehicle which caused the tire to tilt inward with the front control arm slightly detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to palmetto alfa romeo-fiat service department (2065 ne 151st st, north miami beach, fl 33162, (305) 948-6794) where the mechanic replaced the front rotor, rotor shield, wheel bearing, front control arm and bolts. The contact stated that the vehicle previously experienced a similar failure on the front driver's side and was repaired by massey yardley jeep chrysler dodge ram (777 n. State rd 7, plantation, fl 33317, (954) 327-4000). The contact stated that the failure recurred while driving approximately 15 MPH, while attempting to make a turn when the control arm detached from the vehicle. The contact stated that there was fluid leaking from the ball joint on the driver's side of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an unknown dealer but was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 44,161.

Filed Apr 9, 2020 · Body, Brakes · 58,000 miles · CA · crash

I am a real estate agent. Last year 2019 I went to an open house and parked in the driveway which was on an incline - with a plateau for parking. I've been driving a standard transmission for 30 years. When I park I place my gear in 1st with the parking brake fully engaged. I parked the car, went into the home to view the home, and was inside 15 minutes. When I went back to my car, it was gone. The car had rolled backward down the hill and into a guardrail. There were neighbors all around my car, and one man said, "it makes no sense it the parking break is engaged." the neighbors had video of the crash. The car was parked approx 10 minutes before rolling down the hill. My car was damaged by the guard rail, and thankfully no humans were hurt. Had the guardrail not been there -- the car would have gone over a ravine and into a home.

Filed Jul 18, 2019 · Brakes, Electrical · 89,000 miles · CA

A few weeks ago, I woke up and drove to work in the morning. My fiat parked, I worked, everything was good. 5 hours later, I get back to my car to drive home. I start my engine and the dashboard lights up saying, "hill start error ... See owners manual". I thought to myself, "welp, l guess I'll go see a mechanic now.". I lift the e-break, press down the break pedal, and then try to move the car into reverse, but it's locked in park. I turn off the car. I use google search on my phone to find my fiat 500 owner's manual online. I look for the "hill start error" and find an override to get my car out of park and into reverse/drive. I restart the car. Now the dashboard is completely blank except for the letter 'p' in the bottom-center of the circular dash panel. The letter "p" is blinking concurrently with a beep that does not stop. There is no measure of speed and I'm not entirely sure if my lights are working at this point. I'm just trying to get the car to a mechanic about 10 miles away. I found an honest-family spot and the guy tells me to leave the car there and he'll look at it. Break lights were out and a safety feature caused it to lock up. A common issue is a break-light switch with this car, so... We replaced the bls and did a full diagnostics, but still no fix. We troubleshoot all week and found that a 5-amp fuse blew out in the body control module. He replaced the fuse and found that it burned out again because of a loose wire somewhere behind the steering wheel. If I run the car, the loose wire will cause more connections to burnout and break. The car shorts if we run it now. The loose wire causing this short caused my car's gearshift to lock up completely, disabled my break lights, and lead to shortages across the board. I can't drive it at all, let alone start it. I barely have 89k on this car and it's pretty much cooked.

Filed Feb 10, 2018 · Airbags, Brakes · NY

When I purchased the vehicle the airbag light came on. The dealership refused to repair it. In the winter when pushing the bake down, I get a funny noise and I have to pump the brakes in order to get the vehicle to stop. I refuse to allow my children to drive due to this. Also when ever taking the vehicle back to the dealership where I purchased it, assessories on the car would be taken off. I was told to take the car to fiat dealership on ridge road and I would have to pay a fee for them to look at it. Then I was told by carmax that they would pay for it. Fiat wanted their fee upfront and carmax refused to pay for it. I tried several times to have this problem looked at, I finally gave up. The problem still exist . The car is a nice car, but I cannot get satisfaction in getting it repaired. The car was loaded when I purchased it and had been in an accident before buying it of which I was not told this.

Filed Jun 19, 2017 · Acceleration, Brakes · 42,000 miles · CA

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).'

Filed Aug 1, 2016 · Acceleration, Brakes · TX

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

Filed Jun 8, 2016 · Airbags, Brakes · 70,000 miles · IN

Warning says airbag malfunction,all the time.brakes wear every 1000 miles.wheel bearings went out at 70,000 miles..these malfunctions happen when moving...

Filed Feb 29, 2016 · Brakes, Electrical · 58,249 miles · DE

"takata recall" mechanical defect has been detected. My car was on the highway when suddenly it randomly began stating to "check transmission see handbook." I took it to a fiat dealership in which I immediately advised them of the diagnosis code p0741 had been provided to them at drop off before any work was performed - tony (the service advisor) said that was not helpful could mean anything. (diagnosis means: torque converter clutch circuit performance or stuck off) I was advised numbers lies and was told I needed a new transmission. Turns out there is a fault in the wiring of the system and computer which is now causing car to not stay in gear. I want to raise all awareness to this issue. Especially since the purchase of this car (only 58k in mileage) I have had to personally replace the following: number of radiator repairs: 2 sunroof: 1 transmission: faulty mechanical error total tune ups: 2 brake installments: 3 I was not made aware of any prior issues before purchase all issues have occurred due to manufacture negligence! No accidents have occurred. Please assist me in any way possible.

Filed Dec 17, 2015 · Brakes · 69,000 miles · KS

Driving down the highway with my cruise control on, and all of a sudden my emergency brake light came on and the brakes were applied and cancelled the cruise control. There was nothing around my emergency brake. I pulled over to pull it and make sure nothing was making it be engaged. Drove on home with no other problems.

Filed Jul 27, 2015 · Airbags, Brakes · GA

Brakes almost failed while driving,ignition stalled several times,steering is loose at times while driving. Reported on july 27,2015 to landmark fiat of atlanta, ga.about these problems and no one has gotten back to me as yet for repairs! Scared to drive vehicle!

Questions about the 2012 Fiat 500 brakes

Does the 2012 Fiat 500 have brakes problems?

Owners have filed 13 complaints about the brakes of the 2012 Fiat 500, 3% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2012 Fiat 500 brakes problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 58,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2012 Fiat 500 brakes?

Yes, 1 recall: 11V550000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

Other 2012 Fiat 500 problems

Transmission 201Electrical 63Engine 53Airbags 32Fuel system 23Suspension 21Steering 19Acceleration 12Lights 12Visibility 11Body 9Driver assistance 8Wheels 8Seat belts 6Seats 6Locks 1Tires 1

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