Tl* the contact owns a 2012 fiat 500. While driving at a low speed, the instrument cluster, including the lights, gauges, and meters, failed to function. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 25,000.
2012 Fiat 500 electrical complaints
Page 3 of 3: complaints 41 to 63 of 63, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 fiat 500. While driving at various speeds, several unknown warning lights illuminated before the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that with multiple attempts, the vehicle was able to restart. The failure recurred intermittently. In addition, when parked, the vehicle was not able to start and the key could not be removed from the ignition switch. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the vehicle's system had to be reprogrammed. The vehicle was serviced, but the remedy failed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 38,400.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 fiat 500. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed that the power steering module failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure occurred on multiple occasions. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.
Within several weeks after purchase of fiat 500 we encountered a problem starting the engine. Upon turning the ignition key the engine responded with an electrical motor whine but did not start. After several repeated attempts the engine would start and function normally. Gas mileage has never been as high was represented in sales information. The vehicle has been returned to the dealer multiple times for correction but the dealer has been unable to diagnose the problem. A complaint has been lodged with both the dealer and fiat USA.
Was driving on the freeway and the car lost power. All lights on indicator dash went off. No steering ability and little/no control of vehicle. Failure resulted in a crash. No airbags deployed even though there was side impact to both sides and front end impact. The car was totaled.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 fiat 500. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 25 MPH, a burning odor was present inside the vehicle and all the warning lights flickered. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed that the alternator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 50,000. Updated 3/13/15*cn the consumer stated in 2013 the battery was replaced under warranty. Updated 10/8/2015
Dash displays two MPH - one gauge and one digital. When driving at 50mph, both display 50mph. When driving any slower or faster, they do not match. When driving through a school zone, the gauge shows 20mph while the digital shows 23mph. When driving on the highway, digital will show 65mph and gauge shows 68-70. The only time the two match is when I drive a steady 50mph. Gauge shows slower when driving below 50mph and shows faster when driving about 50mph.
After a week of driving the car, I noticed the time on the clock was 10 minutes fast. I reset the clock and three days later, it was 2 minutes fast again. I repeatedly adjusted the clock every week for about 18 months. After 8 months, I decided to let it continue to run fast to see if it would continue. About a month ago, it got to the point that I had to go ahead and reset it because I never really knew what time t was without checking my phone. At that point, the clock had not been reset for 6 months and was 50 minutes fast. Very inconvenient for the driver and causes a distraction just to check my phone to make sure I'm not late to work or an appointment.
Since I purchased my 2012 fiat 500 sport in september of 2012 I have had this issue. Occasionally (about 4 times a week), the car fails to start. When turning the key in the ignition, the car makes a noise as if it is going to start but winds down and loses power. I turn the key back, wait about 5 seconds and the car will normally start. This happens all year around. I contacted the holt fiat of fort worth where the car was purchased and took it in to be looked at. They could not replicate the issue. It is very random but happens very often.
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.
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.
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.
Periodically the starter will not engage. It does a whine as though the starter on the vehicle is a starter that is going out. I took it back to butler fiat in indianapolis, in on april 1st , as the problem became worse and worse. They replaced the starter under warranty but it started doing the same thing less than two weeks after replacement. Something was mentioned at the time about faulty bolt or a part in the starter causing a malfunction. If anyone has ever had a starter go out in a car it is the same sound when the rotary does not engage and you have to make a second attempt to start the car. My vehicle still has less than 13,000 miles on it and I need the problem fixed.
After dealer replaced faulty rear main seal in july/august 2013, rear wiper blade would activate with controls in off position, causing me to have to move front windshield wiper control arm up and down, and then rear wiper blades would stop. Also the car starter would intermittently make a electrical noise after turning the key and the car wouldn't start, then I had to turn key two to three times to start car. After two months with above, in cold weather below 35 degrees the stereo, cd player, blueme systems won't work! It only starts to work after the car and surrounding environment reaches 40-45 degrees. Called into dealer and have appointment for checking all and repair/replace components not working properly and safely.
Air bag lights are not showing on the instrument cluster the airbags are not working!
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 fiat 500. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle stalled and the key become stuck in the ignition. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 39,000.
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.
The key fob button is not recessed. This means the ignition key often opens into my pocket just from normal body movement. It stabs my thigh. This is a vehicle safety problem because it happens when I am driving my other vehicle and can be extremely distracting.
Body seams left open/unwelded during manufacturing causing water leaks and electrical problems affecting brakes, lighting, restraint systems, power door locks, windows, mirrors, ABS, esp, hill start assist, etc. Open/unwelded areas also weren't painted during manufacturing. Improper repairs performed. "sealant" applied to close seams that should have been welded. Purchased 12/22/2011. Found interior wet on 12/25/2011. Returned to dealer on 01/02/2012. Spent 21 days in the shop. Problem was found to be, "numerous open body seams measuring over 10 inches long that were left open and unwelded and unpainted during manufacturing." car was returned to me "repaired" on 1/23/2012. I immediately began experiencing numerous electrical problems. Then, noticed that the car was leaking, again, and even worse, on 1/30/2012. Car was never repaired/improperly repaired. Interior very wet. Electrical problems getting worse. Problems with brakes and 'hill start assist'. Fiat will not return my calls. I've sent letters asking that the car be replaced. The car is unsafe to drive.
Really cold morning, upon starting, the TPMS reported the left front tire low on pressure. And tire light stayed on. I had all 4 tires checked and filled to specs, continental tires, but the tire light stayed on for the next day and a half, wherein I drove about 65 miles, and turned the car on/off numerous times. (at work, store, overnight, etc.) the tire place that I took the car too to have the air checked, was unable to determine how to reset the TPMS. There was nothing out about this car yet. (fyi, you can use a chrysler reset unit) the tire light finally went out the next day on it's own on the way home from work. Went to the fiat dealership a few days later to find out how to reset the TPMS if/when it happens again. The service manager checked it out. Let air out until the light came on, then filled it to the correct pressure, then drove it about 50 feet, and the TPMS light reset itself. So, the system appears to operating properly now after what I had observed. Will watch to see if it becomes a problem.
I'd pulled over in a parking lot to take a phone call (bluetooth reception was static-y), and was sitting with my foot resting on the brake pedal. I felt a kick under my foot, turned the engine off and removed my foot from the brake as I completed the call. When I started the car and pulled to the edge of the lot's exit, I of course stepped on the brake to stop and check for traffic, but the brake pedal was stuck and I rolled into the street. I hope I used the handbrake to stop the car, although I really don't remember. I did reverse back into the parking lot, using the slight slope of the driveway to ensure I could stop once out of the street. The car was towed to the dealer. It's probably unrelated, but the voice recognition system was working sporadically that same morning.
Car was stalling and shutting off. Had my daughter in the car. Couldn't start the car after 3 attempts. Then after waiting a good 3 minutes started the car and revved the engine at 4000 RPM and everything seemed back to normal. Dealer hasn't been able to duplicate.
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