Message flashing "service power steering, hill climb and ESC" appears on an average of once a month for the last few years. No loss of control yet, but it came on three starts in a row for the first time. Usually goes away with a second start. Making an appointment with a dealer (Putnam) in Burlingame, Ca to diagnose. $250 to scan and who knows how much to repair.
NHTSA complaint #11703545 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The car is difficult to accelerate and makes a loud hum over 50. It wont shift into reverse. It is confirmed that it is a transmission issue and the whole thing has to be replaced. I found on a mechanic's site that there is an open recall S34 however my VIN is not included despite the fact that my car has the same issue as the recall. The clutch diaphragm spring fails, the driver may not be able to shift gears or the vehicle may lose motive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA complaint #11555448 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #11513202 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #11490546 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was driving our Fiat 500e (31K miles) in late June, when suddenly the HV Battery System (and primarily the PIM/Power Inverter Module that controls the HV battery system and propulsion system) failed, causing my moving vehicle to lose it's ability to use power steering. I was on a steep hill and was barely able to control the car. I contacted my local Fiat dealer, had the car towed there, and it has sat there for 3.5 months, while the dealership and Fiat USA have argued over how to repair it. In the meantime, the 8 year warranty on the HV battery system has winnowed down and will go out of warranty this month. It is my belief that Fiat USA has purposely delayed a resolution so they could not have to pay to repair the car under warranty. The PIM controls the HV system and propulsion and yet Fiat claims that the PIM is not their responsibility to repair. This is an otherwise perfect car with only 31K miles and the idea that it would be junked and sent to landfill over a bad PIM controller (a small component the size of a football) is a tragedy. Via online messaging boards, I have spoken to numerous other owners of Fiat 500e autos who have suffered a similar PIM failure and whom Fiat also refused to help. Fiat should stand behind the cars they sold to us and should pay to repair the PIM controller so the car runs. Barring that, they should pay the market value of the car. I have specific engine error codes and reports that I would be happy to provide. Thank you in advance for your help.
NHTSA complaint #11488690 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Car break shift lock stuck in park with various different elements illuminating on the dash. Must manually override break shift lock to put car in neutral, start the car, and put it in drive or reverse. Will no go over 40 mph. Power steering will unexpectedly go out in addition to fuel cut off, ABS, and electronic stability control also stopping. Have had brake light switch replaced for temporary fix, and replaced the battery. Has passed multiple 20 point inspections with no visible damage. The same problem has reoccurred and the fiat mechanics only idea is to replace the entire shifter column and see if any other codes are appearing.
NHTSA complaint #11471124 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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).
NHTSA complaint #11388233 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THERE WAS A SUDDEN AND COMPLETE LOSE OF STEERING CONTROL. CAR PULLED HARD TO THE RIGHT CAUSING A COLLISION WITH A PARKED CAR. VEHICLE WAS MOVING AT VERY LOW RATE OF SPEED UNDER 10 MPH. THERE WAS NO WAY TO STOP THE VEHICLE BEFORE THE COLLISION HAPPENED. IN ADDITION UPON IMPACT THE SEATBELT DID NOT LOCK CAUSING THE DRIVER TO BE TOSSED TO THE WINDSHIELD. DRIVER WAS WEARING SEAT BELT. INCIDENT OCCURRED AT VERY LOW RATE OF SPEED.*DT*JB CAIR# XXXXXXXX METLIFE CLAIM #XXXXXXXXXX 'PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'
NHTSA complaint #11283047 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WE HAVE RAN INTO TWO ISSUES WITH THE CAR. THE FIRST ISSUE WAS LAST YEAR THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE COMPUTER INSIDE NOT WORKING WHICH IN TURN CAUSE ISSUES WITH THE BLUETOOTH, LIGHTING, AND DASHBOARD. THE MECHANIC SAID IT COULD IN TURN RESULT IN OTHER ISSUES AS WELL. WE RECENTLY STARTED THE CAR AND IT STARTED SHAKING, THE DASHBOARD WENT OUT, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND THEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT.
NHTSA complaint #11277185 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
A FEW DAYS AFTER NORMANDIN CHRYSLER DID A RECALL CLUTCH REPAIR, THE PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM CAME LOOSE AT THE WHEEL CAUSING VEHICLE TO BE UNCONTROLLABLE AND RIGHT TIRE TO JAM INTO WHEEL WELL. I HAD JUST TURNED LEFT ONTO A ROAD FROM A DRIVEWAY. I HEARD A GRINDING SOUND AND PULLED THE CAR OVER. CV FLUIDS ON ROAD. AXEL DISCONNECTED AT BOTH ENDS.
NHTSA complaint #11268427 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #11267734 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #11154353 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #11083239 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEN I TURN MY STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT I HEAR A CLICKING NOISE UNDER THE DRIVERS SIDE FLOOR MAT. IT ALSO MAKES A SNAPPING NOISE. I HAD A MECHANIC PUT MY CAR ON THE LIFT AND BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT RUBBER STRUT MOUNTS APPEAR TO BE QUITE LOOSE. THE CAR ONLY HAS 50K MILES ON IT. I HEAR THE POPPING AND SNAPPING NOISE AT SPEEDS LESS THAN 20 MPH AND WHEN GOING FORWARD OR BACKING UP. I NOW HAVE GREASE KICKING UP FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE.
NHTSA complaint #11075555 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE CAR DASH GOES CRAZY TURNING ALL LIGHTS. OVER HEATING AND ESC RIGHT AFTERS IT TURNS OFF WHILE THE CAR IS ON THE GO LESS THEN 50 MILERS PER HOUR. I HAVE ALMOST CRASH TWICE DUE TO THE CAR STOPS COMPLETELY ON THE FREEWAY. DEALERSHIP HAS CHECK THE CAR 4 TIMES AND THEY CAN NOT GET IT TO BE FIX YET IN THE LAST PAST 2 MONTH. 11/30/17 FIAT SAYS IS CHECKING WHAT THEY CAN DO STILL I HAVE NOT RECEIVE AN ANSWER AND CHRYSLER HAS MY CAR FOR ALMOST 3 WEEKS AND STILL NOT DIAGNOSE AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #11051593 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THIS IS MY SECOND ATTEMPT TO GET HELP AS I HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING FROM HERE EITHER THIS IS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE 03/21/2017 AND I HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING. MY CLUTCH KEEPS SKIPPING TO NUTRAL WHEN I'M ON THE FREEWAY DRIVING 65MPH , I NEED THIS TO BE RESOLVED, I BEEN HAVING THIS ISSU FOR THE PAST YEAR AND HALF.
NHTSA complaint #11023341 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FIAT 500. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS WERE TURNED ON, BUT FAILED TO RESPOND. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL WINDING NOISE, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DETACHING, AND THE CRUISE CONTROL RANDOMLY ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO LOCAL DEALERS (FIELDS FIAT LOCATED AT 131 N ORANGE AVE ORLANDO, FL 32801 AND GREENWAY FIAT LOCATED AT 9103 E COLONIAL DR ORLANDO, FL 32817). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ADVISED OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: 31796806. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
NHTSA complaint #11013653 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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!
NHTSA complaint #10917242 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #10874631 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.