2012 Fiat 500: stuck in gear or won't shift

Filed Sep 10, 2026 · MD

I am filing a complaint concerning a recurring gear shift failure in my 2012 fiat 500c. The same failure has occurred three times between June 10 and September 8, 2026. On June 10, 2026 I was able to move shift lever but the transmission remained in reverse and would not shift into another gear despite multiple attempts. I did not know what the cause or problem was and had no knowledge that it might be related to a safety recall. I had vehicle towed to an independent repair shop who subsequently diagnosed a faulty gear shifter and replaced it and this restored the vehicles operation. The shop was able to replace the faulty part and the car was returned to me on June 12, 2026. On August 21, 2026the same failure occurred again. I was able to move the shifter but the transmission remained in neutral regardless of the selected shifter position and I had to push the vehicle onto the side of the road. Again the vehicle was undriveable and was towed to an authorized dealership who diagnosed a faulty gear shifter. The dealership performed the repair under safety recall VB4/the federal safety agency recall 19V‑817 concerning the gear shifter cable adjust/bushing. The dealership then returned the vehicle to me as repaired on September 4, 2026. The vehicle sat parked for the following 3 days and was operated on September 8, 2026. On September 8, 2026 the exact same failure occurred a third time and after the authorized dealership completed the recall repaired. The gearshift lever moved, but the transmission would not change gears and the indicator remained in drive. The vehicle was again undriveable and had to be towed back to the dealership. Stellantis/FCAopened several case numbers and a case manager informed me the dealership would not be able to inspect the vehicle for 8 days. I was also informed that Stellantis/FCAand the dealership would not provide rental or alternate transportation assistance while the disabled vehicle awaited inspection.

Filed May 12, 2026 · Transmission · NV

The clutch went out while downshifting upon making a turn onto a street. The gear shift became wobbly and would not shift into any gear. This happened without warning. Minutes before, my passenger and I were driving across town on a freeway.

Filed Jul 21, 2021 · Transmission · CA

The car has two recalls for power train. In the past year and a half of owning the Fiat, the car’s power train has been stuck in park 3 times. The shift is unable to move out of park without being forced out manually. When the car is driven, it has to be manually removed from park to move and the dashboard goes blank. The car doesn’t show speed or gas amount. This is dangerous and can lead to crashes resulting in death. It is emotionally, mentally and financially exhausting having to do a $600+ repair every so often because the power train becomes damaged. This issue has caused me to lose lots of sleep and money since my car is my main source of transportation during this tough time. It is unreliable to its driver and the Fiat dealership has deemed it as okay to drive when it clearly is a safety hazard for drivers and pedestrians.

Filed Jun 5, 2019 · Transmission · 74,375 miles · NC

Shifter cable at transmission linkage broken. Will not shift gears. Vehicle was parked/turned off at gas pump. Turned vehicle on and would not get out of park/shift gears. Tow truck driver tried bypass the 'park' to put vehicle in neutral to be towed and was not able to.

Filed Mar 4, 2019 · Transmission · 60,000 miles · SC

Gear shift is stuck in park but car is actually in neutral. It will not move. Was pulling in parking spot and realized when I put car in park and release foot off brake my car was actually in neutral. Cannot change gear.

Filed Jul 22, 2017 · Transmission · 67,000 miles · MD

Stuck in park - must push release button each time to be able to drive

Filed Jul 8, 2017 · Transmission · 56,000 miles · NJ

My fiat 500 manual tranmission would not go into gear when I was on the highway there is a problem with clutch diaphragm spring causeingthe car not to shift the recall wasto replace the clutch pedal over travel I told the fiat dealer they should check the clutch first to see if there was any damage now my clutch went the car gives you no sign when its going to fail very dangerous car was in motion when in happend

Filed May 17, 2017 · Transmission · 36,298 miles · OK

My 2012 fiat 500 with 36,298 miles on od had clutch failure. I received s34 recall from fiat and had recall work complete. I was told that the recalled part could cause wear on clutch plate and that the recall was correcting the issue. Three weeks later, I was at a stop light and the clutch felt funny and transmission was stuck in first gear. Car was towed to dealer and diagnostic states that bearing-clutch release and disc & pressure plate need replacement. I was told that the recall had no bearing on the clutch failure..."it's normal wear and tear like brake pads and tires." I have spoken with my service rep and fiat customer service. I have repeatedly been told the failure is a "wear and tear issue". I have repeatedly stated that I understand this, but the recalled part was said by both the service provider and fiat, to cause wear on component (wear and tear) parts of the clutch. I maintain that the faulty part has accelerated wear and tear on the clutch assembly and that the replacement of the clutch should be covered by fiat. Fiat customer service states they are investigating my claim but I have not heard back from them. At this time, I am having to pay for the $1200 repair which seems to have been caused by accelerated wear and tear due to a defective, recalled part. Please advise.

Filed Apr 22, 2017 · Transmission · CA

Clutch wear seems to be excessive for mileage (25k) on vehicle. Clutch is slipping and pressure plate, fork, bearing and related components are failing. Engagement point very high up in pedal travel. Sometimes shifter gets stuck in gear and very difficult to shift gears.

Filed Sep 19, 2016 · Transmission · 93,400 miles · TX

I pulled into a parking lot, got on the brakes, put the car in park however the car was registering in reverse. Before I knew it, the car was going backwards and I was moving toward passing traffic behind me. I cut the car off to stop it from going into traffic. The cars gearbox would not shift out of park. I attempted to start the car and try and move the gears but the car would not start. Needless to say I was stranded. I called a tow truck and was advised that is a known issue with fiat but the dealership acts as if there isnt a recall around this??? My car is an automatic but this should not be happening.

Filed Jul 8, 2016 · Transmission · 14,273 miles · LA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 fiat 500. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the transmission failed to shift into fourth gear. On separate occasions, the transmission would not shift properly in and out of gear. The VIN was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 16v302000 (power train); however, the part needed to perform the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 14,273. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Jun 20, 2016 · Transmission · 7 miles · CA

Mileage 33,245 manual transmission wont shift,clutch has failed,found belville spring on pressure plate has broke date 28/jul/2014. Mileage 57,560 again 19/may/2016 need to recall im have al document.