Crash Test Rating
Source   NHTSA
MPG (up to)
27 -30 City / 32 -38 HWY
Horsepower
101 -160
Seats
4
Front passenger 3/4 w/ wheels turned.

Positive Owner Reviews

accountCircle Tara C
The car has a cabin close to the size of an average car so it feels safer.
I have no real complaints. It can be annoying dealing with all of its safety features. It saved my life when someone rear ended me. However as it is not domestic prices for parts and labor and the time frame for parts are higher and longer. So if you want to buy a FIAT be prepared for that.
accountCircle Kayla E
Love my fiat! Reliable, fast, good on gas, and does not hurt that it is super cute.
I love my fiat! It has been the most reliable car I have ever had! It is great on gas, so when living in a place where gas is so expensive and the fact that I drive so much, being able to have a reliable car that is good on gas is a huge deal for me. It is super comfortable! I am quite tall and I always thought I would never get a fiat because of how little they are, but I got in and I had so much room for my legs. I didn't feel cramped in at all. It is very comfortable. I have a few back issues and I have gone on 10+ hour drives and didn't have an issue with the seats. It is quite fast. I love the set up. The inside interior is so nice and I love the accents they put.
accountCircle Emmy B
Loved It So Much I Bought It Twice
I love my car so much that I bought an identical one after my first Fiat was totaled - it just fits me that well. The car is small and responsive; you can truly feel the road while driving, and it can maneuver in any sharp turn. The interior is fantastic and distinctive; I opted for a brown and cream leather that looks very refined. My car often is admired or commented on by those who see it, and I feel like it really reflects my personality. It's a cute, versatile, and reliable vehicle, and I'm super happy with my purchase after more than two years of ownership.
accountCircle FLAVIA L
500 fiat pop car, amazing little city car.
Design car, fashion, colorful, regular performance, not big problem, gas consumption ok, comfortable, not too big. It just have 2 door. Good performance. I changed only brakes and disk one time in 5 years. I changed different times the lights and one time the battery
accountCircle Kitty W
You can basically park anywhere since it's small
The awesome thing is that the car is small and you can simply find parking anywhere you go! And besides the car is very easy and light to drive around with. The only complaint is that is a 2 door car so I can't really travel long distance with it or bring friends along
accountCircle Lisa S
Sporty and Stylish Fiat Fan
My Fiat is very reliable and great on gas mileage. I love driving it on winding roads because it has Auto Sport, which tightens up the suspension... This makes for fun driving. This car is sporty, cute and is economical. As long as you do the required maintenance, you should have your car for many years.
accountCircle Ashlee S
Small easy to parallel park.
It is not the most powerful car. To get parts can take a long time since the car is not American. You have to go to certain car washes since it is the soft top. Cup holders are small! It is nice that people never ask to pick them up or help people move.
accountCircle m C
I love the personality of the fiat.
I wish it would tell me an accurate reading of how much gas I have until empty. I am quite comfortable in my car but I know the back seat is really small. I love the performance of it and I love the sport mode option. Gas mileage is okay but fiat should go green.

Negative Owner Reviews

accountCircle Bruce W
Don't buy fiat! There are so many electrical problems that I experience with it from the time I bought the vehicle to today, it's a piece of junk.
Electronic problems abound with the fiat 500. I also found that it has not withstood the test of time. One headlight goes out every 3 months or so.
accountCircle Anthony G
Fiat 500: my car can be reliable but also has flaws.
Only plus about a fiat is great in gas, other than that it is a complete dislike. It is too small and is very uncomfortable, sometimes it is hard to see out back windows. Parts can be very expensive if it needs fixing, since I had it given to me I’d suggest not getting one unless you like small cars.
accountCircle Angie S
Don't buy if you want something safe and reliable.
My vehicle is drives slow, don't feel 100% safe in bad weather, no pickup. It is not spacious and sound system is not quality.
accountCircle sarah burrell
Bad quality
Bad
accountCircle Candice J
It is very small good on gas but has electrical issues.
It was a lemon when I bought it and it is smaller than I realized. When my car started to have electrical problems the company refused to take it back.
accountCircle Jennifer K
It's a cute little buggie. It's cheap and does between 25-30 miles per gallon in the city
I like the gas mileage I like being able to park in almost any parking space. I hate how cheaply it's made and how things break so easily. Also I don't feel safe on thee freeways
accountCircle Shawn M
Fun to drive but annoying cab noise!
One major problem with the fiat 500 is really bad cab noise. Also not very good gas mileage for a small compact car. Though the fiat is relatively fun and easy to drive and maneuver and easy to maintain but expect to pay a higher price when it comes to servicing.
accountCircle Derek M
Fiat 500 review. The good the bad and the unimportant.
Rough ride due to short wheelbase and cargo area to small for my needs. 5 speed manual is fun to drive. The size of the vehicle makes it fun to drive, like a go kart. I hate the annoying beep that continuously goes off until you pop your seat belt on. I do enjoy the AUX input and the USB inputs.

FIAT 500 Models

Models also known as Trim Levels, are used to identify a vehicle's level of equipment or special features.

car
Sport
101 HP 30-33 MPG 4 Seats
car
Pop
101 HP 29 MPG 4 Seats
car
Abarth
160 HP 31 MPG 4 Seats
car
Lounge
101 HP 29 MPG 4 Seats
car
Gucci
101 HP 29 MPG 4 Seats
Photos may not match model

2012 FIAT 500 Owner Reviews

4.27
186 Reviews
close Write Review
5 stars 52%
4 stars 29%
3 stars 13%
2 stars 5%
1 star 1%
accountCircle Terry S on June 13, 2021
Amazing fun car, very reliable.
I have had zero issues with the car in 8.5 years and 76,000 miles. All I do is change the oil and put gas in. I have replaced one set of front brake pads. The performance is amazing. I seldom use sport mode, as acceleration is fine without it. The handling is great. Basically the difference between the standard and the abarth is what you would do to tune up the car. The car is just flat fun to drive. I have had a number of cars, all were performance models, and most were modified for better performance, and this is the most fun car to drive of any I have owned. Which includes several bmw m cars.
accountCircle Marine S on June 9, 2021
Small and super fun to drive on all types of roads.
The car is great. It is small, so easy to park anywhere. It fits 4 people comfortably despite its small size. It drives great on the highway as well. Only negative is it has a somewhat limited visibility for the driver. Hard to see if there is someone in the lane next to you for example.

Pros from Owners

likeFilled Lynn B.

The vehicle handles so well on the road and drives so smooth. Cheapest car I have ever owned on gas. $20 Keeps me running all week. It has a lot more room on the inside than it looks from the outside. My boyfriend is 6 foot tall and he fits great,

likeFilled Carla H.

Small, gas mileage is okay (20$/weekly), fun car, interesting placement of the buttons to open your windows, has an aux and USB to play your music, and its small. Fits into small spaces. Big personality for a freaking small car.

likeFilled Michelle E.

Pros - good gas mileage. It has Easy handling. It is Easy to park. It is Bigger on the inside than it looks. It is Fun to drive. It Fits into small places. It is Interesting. It Sparks conversation. It Turns heads.

likeFilled Quincie W.

This car has gets great gas mileage. It is compact but has enough space for a single person. I am a traveling SLP and have plenty of space to haul all of my necessary materials. It is compact style allows for adequate maneuvering during busy traffic.

likeFilled Iesha W.

Smooth ride not as spacey good on gas mileage ok size trunk ok travel car not fit for a lot of people good speeds have the best colors in the cars great tires in any type of weather great heat and air conditioning in the car.

likeFilled Chloe L.

It is very small so it can be parked anywhere. The car gets great gas mileage. The front seats have lots of legroom--especially for a compact car. You can always spot a fiat in a parking lot full of sedans.

likeFilled Taylor L.

The small gas tank helps me save money. I do not spent $50 to fill my tank anymore and it really helps my budget. My car also has a sport mode that is really helpful when I am on dirt roads. I feel more safe and secure.

likeFilled Noelle R.

The 2012 fiat 500 sport is a great car. It drives very well, and smoothly. It has a sleek look to both the interior and exterior, very stylish. It is great on gas mileage gas is very affordable and lasts for long trips.

Cons from Owners

dislikeFilled Lynn B.

Electric issues, so when something goes wrong it is really hard to figure out what it is. Its low riding so it great for the city but not good for rural areas. Also the back seat headrests are not in a good place. It makes for a long ride.

dislikeFilled Carla H.

Not an ideal family car. Breaks down over time. Got couple of recalls. Slow to accelerate. 2 Doors. Small spaces in the car. No center consoles. I hated it after having a son and a tall husband can barely fit in due to our son in his car seat. Hardly any room!

dislikeFilled Michelle E.

Cons - it is not a good car for transporting anything. Especially anything large or heavy. It is not a good car for a family or anyone bigger than a couple. People can fit in the back but not easily since it is 2 doors. There is not a lot of pick up or power in this car, even in sport mode it only has so much.

dislikeFilled Quincie W.

Since this is a foreign car, the price to repair certain parts can be pricey. Depending on your needs, this car may be too small for hauling large items. This car also has a smaller gas tank. Although it is great on gas mileage, it requires more frequent fill ups.

dislikeFilled Iesha W.

Great size for small families great for driving long distance good on mileage good leg room in the car good for pets have a sunroof which is great for the summer time. Good on gas mileage hold gas for a long time when driving long distance.

dislikeFilled Chloe L.

The handles are only attached with a little plastic piece, every winter they break off and have to be reattached. The spare tire is attached underneath the car and it basically cannot be removed because it rusted so badly.

dislikeFilled Taylor L.

The cons is that I cannot have people in my back seat. While there are seats, not many people can fit in it so I can never be the one to drive others. Also, the sunroof is not completely covered, it has a net covering. So the sun gets very bright sometimes.

dislikeFilled Noelle R.

The only cons for the fiat 500 sport are the size of the car. Obviously this is a compact vehicle so I would not recommend it if you have kids that you drive around or a lot of equipment. It is great if you are single and do not have passengers often. It will fit four people but with not much space.

Ranks #17 Small Cars by Owners

The 2012 FIAT 500 has an average owner rating of 4.29 out of 5 which ranks it #17 of 36 other Small Cars.

1
car
4.8
2
car
4.76
17
Tie
car
4.27

Ranks #8 Small Cars by Fuel Economy

The 2012 FIAT 500 has a combined MPG of 38 which ranks it #8 of 36 other Small Cars.

1
Tie
car
42 MPG
1
Tie
car
42 MPG
8
Tie
car
34 MPG

Is The 2012 FIAT 500 A Good Car?

It is great on gas, and gets me to places pretty smoothly. I have had a serious oil leak putting me out $1,500 in 2017. I drive about 35 miles round trip per day, so it has been pretty reliable with... Read More
Monique F.
Extremely good. Great gas mileage, low maintenance, and very reliable. I would not hesitate to recommend the brand to anyone.
Norma S.
It’s an excellent vehicle. It has given me very few issues. It’s drives wonderfully and though I've not owned it for a super long time I've enjoyed every second with it. I definitely recommend it.
ANTHONY P.
Yes. The car is reliable, affordable, and has good gas mileage. Have only had good experience with this vehicle. The best feature is its size, it's very convenient because it is neither too big nor... Read More
Shelby S.
The best! It is cute, runs great, gets amazing gas mileage and has not had any mechanical problems in the three years that I have owned it. It’s a little small for transporting passengers, but that is... Read More
Jennifer B.

How Reliable Is The 2012 FIAT 500?

One major oil leak, new tires and oil changes often (I drive at least 35 miles each day), hatchback stopped opening in 2019.
Monique F.
I have only had to do routine maintenance like oil change, brakes, etc. I have put over 125,000 miles on it without incident.
Norma S.
The only issue I've had was with the gear shift once. That was expensive to replace. Otherwise I have no real issues with it beyond what one would expect with a foreign car (expensive parts etc).
Josue C.
The 2012 fiat 500 is very reliable. It does not have any problems that arise in an average living situation such as commuting to work or short road trips.
Anita D.
It has been super reliable in the time that I have owned it. I take it in for regular oil changes, and have the tires rotated regularly. That has been the extent of the maintenance it has needed.
Elizabeth M.

Is The 2012 FIAT 500 A Good Value?

We got it in 2014, I believe, and spent $13,000. I think it was a good value, but I did have a major oil leak that put me out $1,500. And any work (oil changes, tires, etc.) Seems to be more expensive... Read More
Monique F.
I paid $16 000 and have driven it for seven years. I feel that it was a very good value for the money.
Norma S.
I only paid 9k for mine. It’s an extremely good value. The mileage is good and it’s an excellent city car. Perfect for parallel parking since it is so small. It’s also a great beach car.
Haleigh B.
Secondhand the 2012 fiat 500 can be bought for a very decent price. It is a good value because insurance is also not expensive for the car.
Courtney K.
I bought mine used for $6500. For me, this was an amazing value and the car has more than delivered based on what I paid for it.
Mark G.

Related Articles for 2012 FIAT 500

From the Vehicle History blog

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Fiat 500 Recalls: Should You Be Worried?

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the 2012 FIAT 500 Pop starter relay location?

Answer: The starter relay can be found in the fuse box in front of the engine in the 2012 FIAT 500. One of the most important “ and most forgotten “ components of any vehicle's ignition system is the starter relay....

What's the 2012 FIAT 500 fuel filter location?

Answer: The fuel filter on the 2012 FIAT 500 is a part of the fuel pump. In most cases the fuel pump is along the underside of the vehicle, attached to the fuELRail. Getting to it is quite simple, as it is only held in...

What are some of the 2012 FIAT 500 convertible top problems?

Answer: The most common problems with the 2012 FIAT 500 convertible top are usually caused by damage to the motor for the top. When the motor to the top starts to fail it will result in it not being able to go up or...

What's the 2012 fiat 500 sport oil type?

Answer: The 2012 FIAT 500 sport oil type iS5W-30. Your oil needs to be replaced one day. Every 5,000 to 10,000 miles is a good rule of thumb. If You don't replace it, there will be issues with the engine. You will run...

What are some of the 2012 fiat 500 electrical problems?

Answer: The 2012 FIAT 500 has received several reports of issues concerning the electrical system. Perhaps you are experiencing symptoms, such as lurching, flickering lights, or loss of power. The most commonly...

Answers are provided by third parties. We do not guarantee accuracy of responses

Safety & Reliability

NHTSA Logo
NHTSA Crash Test

Overall

Front

Rollover

Side

*National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
IIHS Logo
IIHS Crash Test

Moderate Overlap Front

Side

Roof Strength

Driver-side Overlap Front

*Insurance Institute for Highway Safety