Fiat

500 Cabrio (2012)

2012 · Compact Sedan · 3 engines
Best Engine ⚠️ Caution (3.4)
390 NHTSA Complaints
0 Recalls
4 Fire Reports
21 Crash Reports
View all 2 generations of the Fiat 500 Cabrio → 📋 Inspection checklist

Engine Reliability Ratings

1.4T-I4-Gas

1.4L 4-cyl Turbo
⚠️ Caution (3.4)
13 complaints 13.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission
8
fuel system
2
exterior
1
steering
1
suspension
1

Known Issues

Transmission Issues (8 complaints)
Fuel System Issues (2 complaints)
Exterior Issues (1 complaints)

Fiat 500 Cabrio Unidentified Engine

⚠️ Caution (3.1)
23 complaints 23.0 per year
View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission
12
engine
6
electrical
5
fuel system
3
body
2

Known Issues

Transmission Issues (12 complaints)
Engine Issues (6 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (5 complaints)

1.4-I4-Gas

1.4L 4-cyl
Avoid (1.1)
352 complaints 352.0 per year Gasoline
4 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission
177
electrical
62
engine
45
safety systems
31
other
25

Known Issues

Transmission Issues (177 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (62 complaints)
Engine Issues (45 complaints)
Show 2 additional engine variants with limited data
These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints and aren't included in the main ratings above. Low counts can mean a genuinely clean record, but they can also reflect VIN-decode anomalies in NHTSA data. Treat as informational, not as a confident rating.

3.9-V6-Gas

3.9L 6-cyl
Recommended (4.8)
1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Fiat 500 Cabrio regardless of engine variant.

Transmission Issues (199 complaints)
transmission critical
Electrical System Issues (67 complaints)
electrical critical
Engine Issues (53 complaints)
engine critical
Safety Systems Issues (31 complaints)
safety_systems critical
Suspension Issues (20 complaints)
suspension critical

All Generations

Alternatives in Compact Sedan

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2012-2012 Fiat 500 Cabrio problems?

The 2012-2012 Fiat 500 Cabrio has accumulated 390 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Transmission, Electrical System, Engine. As with any used vehicle, an inspection before buying and a vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Fiat 500 Cabrio engine is most reliable?

The 2012-2012 Fiat 500 Cabrio was offered with 5 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 1.4L Turbo 4-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2012-2012 Fiat 500 Cabrio a good used car?

The 2012-2012 Fiat 500 Cabrio can be a sound used car depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 390 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2012-2012 Fiat 500 Cabrio have?

The 2012-2012 Fiat 500 Cabrio has 390 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2012-2012 Fiat 500 Cabrio?

There are 0 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2012-2012 Fiat 500 Cabrio vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN — check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Fiat 500 Cabrio?

Before buying a used Fiat 500 Cabrio, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Transmission, Electrical System, Engine, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

Does the 500 Cabrio have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2012 Fiat 500 Cabrio. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 390 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-05-23.

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