In June 2025, while driving my 2013 Fiat Abarth at highway speed, the vehicle suddenly stalled without warning. This happened on one of the hottest days of the year with another person in the car, creating a serious risk of a high-speed collision. The cause was later confirmed by a different Fiat dealership: a port in the intake/PCV system had been left completely uncapped after service at a Fiat dealership in 2024. The mechanic who worked on my car apparently believed this was only a “vent” and not part of the vacuum system — a dangerous misunderstanding that allowed unmetered air into the engine. This disrupted the air/fuel mixture and led directly to the stall. I have written proof from the dealership admitting to the “vent” claim. A competent technician should know the difference between a vent and a vacuum port. Returning a vehicle in this condition is negligence and puts lives at risk. The component is still available for inspection, and I have documentation supporting my claims.
Fiat 500 stalling problems
44 of the 812 owner complaints about the Fiat 500 describe engine stalls while driving, most of them for the 2012 model year.
- owner complaints
- 44
- worst model year
- 2012
- typical mileage
- 29,910
By model year
Often reported together
Fire or smoke 5Overheating 4Check engine light 3Misfire 2Brake failure 2Won't start 1Sudden acceleration 1Loss of power 1
What owners say
The vehicle had been stalling out on numerous occasions one being a freezing Xmas eve in Drive thru if it had happened somewhere isolated the driver could have frozen. I rented cars several times and replaced the alternator ,battery and at the final point at the dealership the mechanic suggested I purchase a $600 battery though I had a brand new one. The dealership gave me a $200 credit but it happened again, the mechanic in town said the Bluetooth component was draining the battery. They removed it and no problem since. The dealership mechanic talked around the issue and would not answer my questions about this. The safety issues related to this are dangerous and it appears to be known by mechanics about this model.
The contact owns a 2012 Fiat 500. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to exit the highway. The contact stated that while attempting to restart the vehicle, the clutch pedal went to the floorboard and the contact was unable to start the vehicle. The contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the clutch pedal limiter and a clutch pedal switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 16V302000 (Power Train) which had been completed in 2023 on the vehicle by the same dealer. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 214,000.
The contact's daughter owns a 2012 Fiat 500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. Upon investigation, the contact discovered the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 16V302000 (Power Train) which was linked to the failure. The dealer had been notified about the recall but stated that parts were not yet available and remained on backorder. The manufacturer had been notified of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 fiat 500. The contact stated while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled with several unknown warning lights flickering on the instrument panel. The contact had the vehicle towed to his residence where an independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle. The contact was informed that the PCM and ECM needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure was like the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v291000 (powertrain). The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 81,200.
While driving home via local city surface streets, the gearbox fail light and the have transmission checked message came up on the dash cluster. I drove the car 4 more miles to a service station, stopping twice on the way. The car began running poorly. Including bucking, revving high, while staying at low speed, stalling and bucking at lights low idle or stops. The service station said other than a low number (4 times per 1000 I think...a cylinder misfire) no codes came up. When reset the car would run briefly as normal butat first stop all issues would resume in full again. I was able to drive the car home (2 blocks) but was not sure it would make it. It sits in my parking spot as we speak.
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 fiat 500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to browns fiat located at 483 new york-112, east patchogue, ny 11772, to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the battery was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number 16v303000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was 39,483.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 fiat 500. The contact stated that while at a stop light the manual transmission shifted into first or second gears independently causing the vehicle to stall. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 53,000.
A piece inside the shifter broke and made the car stall. It basically wouldn't move while I was on a busy road.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 fiat 500. While driving various speeds, the contact smelled carbon monoxide inside the vehicle. While driving low speeds, the vehicle stalled, but was able to be restarted. The failures occurred intermittently. Also, the engine and battery warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the clutch was repaired; however, the failures recurred. An unknown local dealer diagnosed the vehicle and stated that the transmission needed to be repaired. The transmission had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 88,000. The VIN was not available.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Fiat 500 stalling
Which Fiat 500 years have engine stalls while driving problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2012 (19 complaints), 2014 (12 complaints) and 2013 (7 complaints).
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