The Fiat 500 was built to last and get you to your destinations with ease. Despite its reputation as a dependable car, it still has its fair share of problems. To resolve those issues, the carmaker sends owners recall notices that detail the repairs and indicate how to proceed.
Does the Fiat 500 have any recalls on the books?
As of September 2020, there are five recalls for a variety of problems, including:
- Inability to shift through the gears
- Transmission shifts to neutral on its own
- Sudden loss of stopping power
Thankfully, in this article, we aim to help you understand all the Fiat 500 recalls that have occurred over the years. With that information, you can get the repairs your car needs to continue on all your travels without a problem.
CravenSpeed Fiat Short Shifter Defect
NHTSA Recall ID: 19E044000
If you decided to upgrade to the short shifter from CravenSpeed, you might have ended up with a defective one. A portion of their shifters sold before 2017 have the potential to break where the arm meets the shaft.
In response to finding out about the defect, they immediately set out to redesign their short shifter and prevent that from happening.
They also chose to recall all the affected units to make it right with the owners who put their trust into their aftermarket company. You just have to give them a call to receive their upgraded short shifter.
Shift Cable Bushing Detachment
NHTSA Recall ID: 19V817000
The shift cable tells the transmission to change gear as you move the gear selector into each position. This important cable connects to the transmission using a bushing that’s meant to stand up to the test of time.
Unfortunately, on the 2012 to 2013 Fiat 500s, the bushing has the tendency to rapidly deteriorate, causing the cable to come loose. When that happens, you’ll quickly find that you cannot change gears, although it might feel like you are.
To fix this issue, technicians have to inspect the cable to see if it has a defective bushing. If so, they will replace it with a new shift cable adjuster equipped with a stronger bushing.
Failure of Clutch Diaphragm Spring
NHTSA Recall ID: 16V302000
To properly engage and disengage as you shift through the gears, the clutch relies on its diaphragm spring to create enough pressure. If anything happens to that spring, your transmission will remain stuck in gear, potentially leaving you stranded by the side of the road.
Fiat 500 vehicles built from 2012 to 2016 often have this issue as the clutch cover diaphragm spring can burst apart under pressure.
When that happens, technicians can replace the clutch with a new one. Since there are no upgrade parts available at this time, the diaphragm spring in the replacement clutch could fail as well.
Incorrect Info on the Spare Tire Placard
NHTSA Recall ID: 16V667000
As with all your tires, the spare must sit at the right pressure level to properly support your car’s weight. If it doesn’t have enough pressure, the tire could come off the rim, causing damage to the rim and your car.
If overinflated, the tire could pop and potentially cause an accident. You have to read the tire placard on the spare to learn the ideal pressure level when filling it up.
Unfortunately, the placard on the 2016 Fiat 500 has erroneous information that could lead you astray. If you use the listed pressure, your tire will end up overinflated, putting you at risk of an accident.
To ensure you have the right info, techs just have to put an overlay over the incorrect placard.
Potential Brake Fluid Contamination
NHTSA Recall ID: 11V550000
The 2012 Fiat 500 may have ended up with contaminants in its brake fluid. If that’s the case, the contaminated fluid will cause the lines and other components to deteriorate at an accelerated rate.
You’ll quickly notice a decrease in stopping power as a result, leaving you without the means to stop in a hurry. That could lead to a collision that causes you and your passengers to suffer minor to serious injuries.
Since the contaminated fluid starts wearing away the hydraulic brake parts immediately, technicians must replace them all to remedy this issue. If you have a manual transmission, they also have to replace the clutch hydraulic actuation parts.
What’s the Ideal Way to Address Fiat 500 Recalls?
Are you trying to find out if your Fiat 500 has recalls? If so, go to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website. You can input your VIN or year, make, and model to receive a detailed report on all recalls for that vehicle on their homepage.
If you discover that repairs are needed, you can call 1-503-505-6886 to reach the customer service team. They will help you find an authorized service center in your area and let you know what to expect at your appointment.
Photos: Stellantis
