2012 Fiat 500 steering problems

Filed Mar 22, 2023 · Steering · TX · crash

As reported by numerous consumers the power steering just stop working while driving with no warnings. This caused a wreck involving my son & I and we're admitted to hospital. Apparently this is a widely reported problem yet it has not attention. It's extremely dangerous and cost more to fix than what the car is worth.

Filed Oct 24, 2022 · Steering · AZ

While I was driving on a busy dyreet the warning light flashed and my car shut off, I was nearly hit by another vehicle. I took my car in to have it checked out and the dealer days the steering module loss confection and the steering column needs to be replaced. I see that this has been a known issue by Fiat but they fail to include all vehicles in their recall. I request that this be addressed. This is a safety issue.

Filed Jan 14, 2021 · Steering, Suspension · 86,400 miles · CA

2012 fiat 500c mileage 86649. When driving over a bump or pothole a loud metallic sound is heard on the driver's side and to a lesser extent from in front of the engine down low when both wheels go over a crack in the road simultaneously. Carcomplaints.com says some persons have experienced the control arm disengaging from the steering mechanism on both the driver and passenger sides. Other's report a broken ball joint causing car to lose control. One person reported that when "firestone" tried to get a "d/s" axle replacement part they were told it was a "customer satisfaction recall." but when the fiat 500 was taken to the dealer they said no such recall existed and wanted owner to pay the total cost. I am the original owner of this 2012 fiat 500c special order dealer showroom model. Thousand oaks fiat ordered [xxx] with all the top features, color combinations and options special from the factory for their showroom and not intended for general sale. Being a good talker and having a load of cash I was able to obtain this machine. It has always been driven gently. Now with the clunking noise and learning of others having serious ball joint and control arm separation causing loss of steering control and a reported customer "satisfaction" quiet recall - I think fiat knew of the problem and should have a recall for any owner regardless of mileage to repair this dangerous condition. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Oct 10, 2019 · Steering · 28,232 miles · CA

Power steering failure with steering wheel turning on it's own. When the power steering is about to fail, it pulls the wheel before going into stiff, manual steering. Almost caused several accidents while trying to regain control. I have a video of the vehicle parked afterwards, still running and the wheel spinning on it's own. Scary. I read a fiat owners blog where many people were experiencing the same issue. Issue seems to be when in motion and when still. I will try to upload the video I took of the wheel spinning on it's own, it says image or document, so may have to send after submission of this complaint. This issue started in early 2018 intermittently however now is a regular issue. 10/9/2019 almost caused an accident on the 5 fwy.

Filed Nov 27, 2018 · Steering · 60,000 miles · CA

Vehicle has a defective intermediate steering shaft. This part was already replaced once under warranty with fiat admitting that the part is defective/substandard for purpose it fills in the cars steering functionality. After a period of time (appx 3 years or 36k miles) it starts making a clunk when turning at slow speeds. If left unrepaired it will result in loss of steering control when vehicle is in operation. Approximate cost of repair is $500 for parts and labor. When contacting fiat about this concern and that it was replaced under warranty once for being faulty I was told that my warranty was expired and it was my burden to replace the defective part. New part only carries a 1 year limited warranty. This problem mainly occurs at slow speeds when making full turns however it could fail at high speed leaving driver with no vehicle control.

Filed Apr 4, 2018 · Steering · 103,681 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 fiat 500. While driving 50 MPH, an abnormal noise was heard coming from the steering wheel while turning it in either direction. The vehicle was taken to safford chrysler jeep dodge ram srt of fredericksburg (5202 jefferson davis hwy, fredericksburg, va 22408, (540) 898-7200) where it was diagnosed that the intermediate steering shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 103,681.

Filed Oct 19, 2016 · Airbags, Seat belts · 179,880 miles · UT

I have had to take my vehicle to ken garff fiat at 198 e 500 s in salt lake city utah in order to get the clutch fixed the clutch went out at 179840 miles and now I am being charged $925.00 to replace the cluth. I am also being told that there is no recall for the part on my clutch when I know there is and that I must replace the whole clutch I am also being to told that my steering colum is broken however as of todays day no one mechanic at ken garff fiat has driven the vehilce. I have also been given a loaner vehilc to drive from ken garff fiat I just I want my vehilce and I want it woring properly and I want it to pass safety and edmissons before the vehicle is released to me I have contacted chysler at 888‑242‑6342 over 387 times since 2013 chysler has been unwilling to intervene I am concerned about the saftey of myself and my 14 year old child in this vehilce. My car has been at ken garff fiat since 10-03-2016 and as of todays date 10-19-2016 the work is still not complete!

Filed Jun 16, 2016 · Steering, Suspension · 48,000 miles · DE · crash

At 47,500 miles and 4 years, 9 months of ownership, my passenger side lower front ball joint broke. There were no signs of problems leading up to the breakage. Unfortunately fiat no longer makes the 2012 lower front ball joints and the 2013+ ball joints require a new assembly so the entire ball joint, control arm, etc. Assembly has to be created.

Filed Oct 29, 2015 · Steering, Suspension · 61,500 miles · GA

2012 fiat 500 prima edizione. Backing out of parking lot, driver's side front wheel disconnects from the lower control arm. Car falls almost to the ground. Dealer identifies worn ball joint. Just under 62k miles. Recent alignment and tire replacement done by the dealer. All regular service done at same local dealer since new. First and only owner. Very fortunate this did not happen on the highway at speed.

Filed Jul 30, 2015 · Steering · 66,000 miles · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 fiat 500. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver when making a turn. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 66,000.