2012 Fiat 500: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Oct 11, 2022 · Electrical · PR · fire

In the morning (6AM) of September 19, my car car caught on fire while parked in my driveway. There were flames 3-4 feet height coming from the engine hood area. Once the fire was extinguished by the local fire department, I found the car was extensively damaged in the front outside and inside driver cabin. Upon further inspection I found the fire might have started with or around the battery, as it was completely melted. Further inspection on the back side of the car showed some stripped wiring in the assembly connecting to the rear hatch mechanism, lights, and other. In the days previous to this incident the battery had loss its charge completely twice in the span of a week and a half.

Filed Feb 21, 2020 · Transmission · 113,048 miles · CA

On friday, december 6, 2019 my 2012 fiat 500 began to emit a strong odor. I thought the car would catch on fire. The car also made a loud, screeching and grinding noise. When I arrived safely to my destination, a few minutes away, I stopped and turned off the car. I had to cancel a hair appointment because I didn't feel comfortable driving the distance in the vehicle. On monday, december 9, 2019 I took my car into a fiat chrysler dodge ram jeep dealership for an oil change and free basic inspection. I was told by the dealership that they also heard the noise coming from the clutch area but needed to perform an official diagnostic. I didn't have the money at the time so I waited until january 2, 2020 to have the diagnostic performed. During the month of december and while my car was in the shop I took lyft rideshare for transportation as I did not feel safe driving the car. The car stayed in the shop over the weekend and I was able to pick it up on monday, january 6, 2020. The issue was related to a recall fca # s34, the federal safety agency# 16v‑302 that happened a couple years before. It was supposed to be resolved for this vehicle but I was having similar and worse problems, which are due to the previous faulty car part. The fiat has only $113k miles on it. I have owned manual transmission vehicles previously and never had this issue. I previously owned a honda civic (gained over 200k miles) and a chevy aveo and neither car had this issue. I believe this is a serious safety hazard and myself and my daughter could have been seriously injured had I continued to drive this vehicle. The clutch could have stopped all together and we could have hit another vehicle or been seriously injured on the interstate or street traffic. Even with the repairs I am no longer confident in the safety of this vehicle. It should be declared a lemon.

Filed Apr 1, 2019 · 100,000 miles · WV · fire

While driving car lost power and smoke began coming out from under hood. Immediately after the check engine light came on. Car was pulled to side of interstate. Immediately got out and looked under hood to see flames and smoke. Called 911 report the fire, dispatch said fire and police would arrive soon. Checked under the hood for a second time, there was considerable more fire and smoke. Proceeded to gather purse and bag from the backseat. Approximately 4 minutes had elapsed. By this time the car is completely engulfed in flames. I moved approximately 300 feet away in fear the car may explode. Another 4-5 minutes passed when police arrived and an additional 6-7 more minutes for the firefighters to respond. As for personal safety, driving had approximately 4 minutes to escape vehicle from check engine light appearing to the entire be completely encompassed with flames. Driver escaped unharmed, but was incredibly shaken by the scary events that unfolded in such a rapid period of time. Car was not able to be saved.

Filed Jan 24, 2019 · Transmission · 95,356 miles · NV

I drive a manual fiat, and I smelled a burning smell and my clutch wasn't engaging properly, I was losing torque,and theres a loud squeaking when I press on the clutch.

Filed Jul 21, 2017 · Electrical · 56,000 miles · OR

I bought my car in october of 2016 I paid $10,000 for it it had 56,000 miles on it I bought it because I am handicapped and I need it a small car but also one where I could put a walker or wheelchair in which I cannot because the wires all broke in the hat from a manufacture defect I had I just now was able to get it repaired it cost me $430 and then because of the electrical wires being broke they shorted out a computer so they still don't work I still cannot open my hatch and get into the back of my car to be able to put a walker or wheelchair in and I feel that the manufacturer needs to correct this for me for I'm disabled and I don't have that kind of money I wouldn't have bought the car if I known it had this issue it is not handicap accessible and it also the car could have caught fire it is all I will not pass safety inspection because of this please help

Filed Jul 25, 2016 · Electrical · 39,970 miles · MI · fire

Stopped at bank to withdraw some cash and the alternator started on fire! Had the car towed to mechanic to repair .

Filed Apr 7, 2015 · Transmission · 28,000 miles · CA

I was at a busy intersection about to make a left hand turn when I suddenly was unable to depress the clutch completely or shift into gear. It turned out the clutch had completely given out with no warning - no slipping, smell of burning clutch, no check engine light, nothing. I've driven stick my whole life and never run through a clutch in 28,000 miles! Nor have I had the experience of a clutch going out without warning - it has always started to slip in advance of needing replaced. The police had to stop traffic and push me to safety as the car would not drive at all. I don't know what I would have done if the police had not come so quickly as I was in an area with a lot of traffic and several people nearly hit me in the short time I was waiting. Due to the out of the blue nature of this clutch failure, I thought it was worth reporting as a safety issue. Had I been on a freeway, the situation could have been much worse.

Filed Oct 18, 2013 · Electrical, Fuel system · 45,000 miles · MS

Reported electrical burning smell thru ventilation system. Dealership denied electrical burning but found gas puncture in plastic gas tank, says smell is from burning gas. (owner disagrees) however with no other suspension or body damage found except the gas tank puncture there is great concern that this is a serious dangerous design flaw. That the tank can be punctured so easily without the knowledge of driver of any event.

Filed Sep 14, 2013 · Engine · 9,500 miles · FL

I purchased vehicle certified used 20 jan 2013. The first day of driving the vehicle at highway speeds, I noticed a strong burning smell inside the cabin. Vehicle has been taken back to the dealership 8 times and the service department cannot resolve the issue. I have opened a case with chrysler/ fiat resolution team. The customer service is horrible! They informed me that they were sending an engineer to service the car. An engineer was suppose to service the vehicle this week and they never showed up. The service rep at the dealership recalled the previous owner had the same issue before trading it in. That info was not disclosed to me before purchasing. Dealership will not take the car back or replace it, headquarters intervention is not proactive. The vehicle is not safe to drive.

Filed Jun 11, 2013 · Electrical · 4,000 miles · NC · fire

I own a 2012 fiat pop that I purchased new about a year ago. One thing that did not go away and was ever present at any time was the limp mode for the engine over the last few days. Recycling did not work to correct problem and gauges were out. The indicator light on panel showed in limp mode when it worked. Gauges kept going on and off sometimes for short periods and other times for longer periods. On 6/10/13 my vehicle caught fire in the dashboard. I was traveling back from the store in limp mode hoping it would go out but never did.I parked the car in front of my development pool and went to visit my employee there. Within about 5 minutes or so she said that my lights were flashing. I checked and went to the vehicle. It was engulfed with smoke and a nasty electrical smell. Fire department came. I was told that I had to wait for the fire inspector to come and examine my vehicle. He came. Began tearing my dashboard apart to find the cause or source of the fire. It was determined by his knowledge and experience that the body control unit had failed and caused the fire. Vehicle is totaled. The vehicle has only about 4000 miles on it. Earlier that day before the incident I had called the local fiat dealer. Explained the problem of the gauges not working, and limp mode, I asked if it was safe to drive and he said yes. At this point I made an appointment to have the vehicle looked at hopefully that day. Only opening was next day at 2pm. I have filed an insurance claim and the vehicle has been towed away.