2012 Abarth 500 problems
The 2012 Abarth 500 was sold with an engine that we have documented: the 1.4 T-Jet. The 1.4 T-Jet has serious faults that affect the cars of that year. Outside the engine, 4 documented faults affect 2012 cars, such as door trim that can break and injure occupants in a side impact (2013 campaign).
2012 Abarth 500 score: acceptable reliability
Calculated using only 8 documented faults and their sources: the most serious and frequent faults weigh more. How it is calculated
- Engine5.24 faults
- Gearbox10.0No documented faults
- Suspension8.61 fault
- Brakes10.0No documented faults
- Tyres and wheels10.0No documented faults
- Steering10.0No documented faults
- Electrical system9.31 fault
- Headlights and lights9.31 fault
- Electronics and infotainment10.0No documented faults
- Climate control10.0No documented faults
- Bodywork and interior7.91 fault
- Airbags and safety10.0No documented faults
What changes compared with the 2011 Abarth 500
- Score: 6.6 → 6.1
- Starts to be affected by: door trim that can break and injure occupants in a side impact (2013 campaign) (rest of the car)
1.4 T-Jet engine in the 2012 Abarth 500
Names: Abarth 500 1.4 T-Jet 135 · Abarth 500 1.4 T-Jet MultiAir 160
- With caution
1.4 MultiAir Turbo (2009-2020)
105–180 hp · 940A2000, 940C2000
The reliability pages and owner reports we consulted for the Fiat 500X, Alfa Romeo MiTo, Alfa Romeo Giulietta, Jeep Renegade and Jeep Compass repeatedly document three problems: turbocharger wear or failure (sometimes at very low mileage), faults in the MultiAir/UniAir unit itself and high oil consumption. No manufacturer has acknowledged a specific campaign or extended warranty, so it is worth checking the history and test driving the car both cold and warm before buying.[3][4][5][6][7][8][9]
Faults that affect 2012 cars
- High severityFrequency: CommonTurboPremature turbocharger failure or wearOn the Fiat 500X, Fiat Tipo, Jeep Renegade and Jeep Compass there are recurring reports of turbocharger failure, sometimes at very low mileage (from 15,000 km); the manufacturer has offered occasional goodwill discounts, but there is no official campaign.Repair: €1,100–€2,300Appears at around 15,000 km
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonIntakeMultiAir (UniAir) electro-hydraulic unit failureThe MultiAir (UniAir) electro-hydraulic unit, which controls the intake valves using oil pressure, can fail and cause misfires and the engine light to come on; on the Alfa Romeo MiTo there is a documented case of replacement at 50,000 km for €1,400, with no warranty cover.Repair: €1,250–€1,800Appears at around 12,000 km
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonLubricationHigh oil consumptionThe Fiat 500X, Fiat Tipo, Alfa Romeo MiTo and Giulietta have accumulated reports of above-normal oil consumption, in some cases up to 1 litre per 1,000 km; keep an eye on the level between services and do not wait for the warning light.Appears at around 60,000 km
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalIgnitionMisfires and ignition coil faultsOn the Alfa Romeo MiTo there are reports of misfires that owners attribute to the coils, spark plugs and the MultiAir itself all at once, with the engine light on; we do not find the same pattern with the same clarity on the other models with this engine.
Faults outside the engine in the 2012 Abarth 500
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalBodywork and interiorDoor trim that can break and injure occupants in a side impact (2013 campaign)Safety Gate/RAPEX issued a recall in September 2013 (alert 38/2013) for the Fiat 500 Abarth built in 2012: because of a design defect in the door trim, it can break in a side impact and injure occupants. The alert warns that it may not affect every unit.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalSuspensionWheel bearing wear and suspension play on the 500 Abarth-platformGebrauchtwagenberater.de says the Fiat 500's wheel bearings wear out early, sometimes around 60,000 km, and that the TÜV often rejects for axles, springs and shock absorbers; fiches-auto.fr records rear-end noises. These are Fiat 500 data, not Abarth.Appears at around 60,000 km
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalHeadlights and lightsTailgate wiring breakage: failure of the third brake light and number plate lightGebrauchtwagenberater.de identifies as the most common weak point of the Fiat 500 a cable that breaks in the tailgate from repeated opening and closing, causing the third brake light or number plate light to fail; fiches-auto.fr also describes the tailgate harness as fragile. Neither separates out the Abarth version.
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalElectrical systemDoor handles that break and tired electric windowsGebrauchtwagenberater.de lists broken door handles among Fiat 500 faults, and fiches-auto.fr records windows, handles and tailgate lock with poor durability. It is an annoyance, not a safety risk; there is no Abarth breakdown.
Buying a 2012 Abarth 500?
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Frequently asked questions
Is the 2012 Abarth 500 reliable?
The 2012 Abarth 500 was sold with an engine that we have documented: the 1.4 T-Jet. The 1.4 T-Jet has serious faults that affect the cars of that year. Outside the engine, 4 documented faults affect 2012 cars, such as door trim that can break and injure occupants in a side impact (2013 campaign).
Is the 2012 Abarth 500 better than the 2011?
Our score goes from 6.6 in 2011 to 6.1 in 2012. Starts to be affected by: door trim that can break and injure occupants in a side impact (2013 campaign) (rest of the car).
What is the best year for the Abarth 500?
According to our score, the best is 2008 (6.8/10). The year with the worst score is 2015 (5.7/10). Each year's score counts only the engines sold that year and the faults that affect those cars.
What faults does the 2012 Abarth 500 have?
The most important ones documented for 2012 cars are: premature turbocharger failure or wear (1.4 T-Jet, high severity), door trim that can break and injure occupants in a side impact (2013 campaign) (bodywork and interior, high severity), multiAir (UniAir) electro-hydraulic unit failure (1.4 T-Jet, medium severity), high oil consumption (1.4 T-Jet, medium severity) and misfires and ignition coil faults (1.4 T-Jet, medium severity).
Own a 2012 Abarth 500? Tell us what faults you have had and at how many kilometres. Report your fault.
Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- Fiat 500 (2007)Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
- Fiat 500 (2007) : les plus et les moinsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Fiat 500X : les plus et les moinsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Fiat 500X : fiabilité, pannes et rappelsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Alfa Romeo MiTo : les plus et les moinsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Alfa Romeo MiTo : fiabilité, pannes et rappelsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Alfa Romeo Giulietta : les plus et les moinsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Jeep Renegade : les plus et les moinsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Jeep Compass : les plus et les moinsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French