2017-2020 Fiat 124 Spider Reliability Score: 8.2 out of 10

65 NHTSA Complaints

3 Recalls

1 Fire Reports

1 Crash Reports

Reliability Score

8.2 / 10

Reliability score

Fewer owner complaints than similar sports cars

A score of 7.0 means as many complaints as similar vehicles. Based on complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the engine, transmission or drivetrain.

Owners filed 11 powertrain complaints. A typical sports car fleet of this size and age would have drawn about 20.

Scores this high have held: three years on they had moved 0.2 points in the typical case.

Breakdown

Complaints overall11 complaints against about 20 for similar vehicles

8.2

Last three years

n/aNot enough data

Engine, transmission or drive unit failed or replaced

n/aNot enough data

Oil consumption, fuel in the oil or overheating

n/aNot enough data

Each line scores one view of the same complaints the same way, so the lines overlap. The mark on each bar is 7.0, as many complaints as similar vehicles. A line shows a number once similar vehicles would draw at least 5 of its complaints (20 for the last three years).

By model year

20178.6
20188.2
2019n/a
2020n/a

Similar vehicles are others in the same class, compared at the same age and in the same years. The score counts complaints owners filed with NHTSA, per vehicle built, which is different from the share of vehicles that fail. How the score is worked out

On the record

No serious powertrain recall covering 5% or more of this generation and no escalated investigation in NHTSA's files. Warranty extensions and settlements have not been researched.

Complaints by Engine Code

Every complaint of any kind (brakes, airbags, electrical and the rest) whose VIN names the engine, across all model years. The score above counts only engine, transmission and drivetrain complaints, so its figures for the same engine are smaller. Fire, injury and death figures count complaints that report one.

A4

1.4L 4-cyl Turbo / 160 hp

64 complaints 16.0 per year Gasoline

1 fire report

View details

Complaint Breakdown

safety systems

electrical

interior

engine

fuel system

Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data

These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints. A low count can mean a clean record, and it can also be a VIN-decode anomaly in NHTSA's data.

Fiat 124 Spider Unidentified Engine

1 complaint 1.0 per year

View details

Complaint Breakdown

other

Owner Complaints by System

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Fiat 124 Spider, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.

Safety Systems: 31 owner complaints

Electrical System: 8 owner complaints

Interior: 8 owner complaints

What to check on a used 2017-2020 Fiat 124 Spider

On a used 2017-2020 Fiat 124 Spider, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the airbags and driver-assist systems (31), the electrical system (8) and the seats, seat belts and interior (8). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-08. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

Switch the ignition on and watch the airbag light. On the drive, check the backup camera and any collision or lane warning.Safety. NHTSA has 31 owner complaints on the 2017-2020 Fiat 124 Spider about the airbags and driver-assist systems.
Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 8 owner complaints on the 2017-2020 Fiat 124 Spider about the electrical system.
Latch and tug every seat belt, move every seat through its full travel and lock each seatback.Safety. NHTSA has 8 owner complaints on the 2017-2020 Fiat 124 Spider about the seats, seat belts and interior.

Open the full inspection checklist for the 2017-2020 Fiat 124 Spider

Recalls (3)

24V694000Sep 18, 2024serious

Air Bags

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2020 Fiat 124 Spider vehicles. A software error in the air bag control module may cause the front air bags to deploy with excessive force during a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

21V879000Nov 12, 2021serious

Fuel System

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Fiat 124 Spider vehicles. The impeller inside the fuel pump may be deformed, potentially causing the fuel pump to fail.

19V068000Feb 5, 2019serious

Powertrain

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Fiat Spider 124 vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. Due to incorrect programming of the Transmission Control Module (TCM), certain conditions may cause the vehicle to unexpectedly downshift and abruptly decelerate.

Alternatives in Sports Car

4 engines / 69 complaints

5 engines / 23 complaints

1 engine / 22 complaints

7 engines / 41 complaints

3 engines / 27 complaints

3 engines / 75 complaints

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2017-2020 Fiat 124 Spider complaints?

Owners have filed 65 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017-2020 Fiat 124 Spider. The systems they name most often are the safety systems, the electrical system and the interior.

Is the 2017-2020 Fiat 124 Spider a good used car?

That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 65 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017-2020 Fiat 124 Spider. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2017-2020 Fiat 124 Spider have?

NHTSA has 65 owner complaints on file for the 2017-2020 Fiat 124 Spider as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

What recalls affect the 2017-2020 Fiat 124 Spider?

NHTSA lists 3 recalls covering some 2017-2020 Fiat 124 Spider vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.

What should I check before buying a used Fiat 124 Spider?

Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the safety systems, the electrical system and the interior, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.

Does the 124 Spider have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2017-2020 Fiat 124 Spider. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 65 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: moderate. Last updated: 2026-10-18.