The Fiat 124 Spider is a two-seater built from 2017 to 2026 over 4 generations. Most were assembled in Japan — 100% of those on record. Between 1971 and 2020 it grew 10 cm longer and gained 186 kg. Engines offered: 4-cyl. Worth buying? It scores near the top of what we track at 4.5/5 — and the year you pick matters far more than the badge (best and worst years →).
What the 124 Spider is
The Fiat 124 Spider is a two-seater that Fiat built from 2017 to 2026 — 10 model years. Our measurements put it at 4 generations, the current one starting in 2017. It has been offered with 4-cyl power. Its closest sibling in the Fiat range: Ducato.
Where the 124 Spider is built
A badge says where the company is registered; the VIN says where the car was bolted together. We counted the first three characters — the manufacturer identifier — across 64 124 Spiders on record.
| Assembled in | Share | VIN starts with | Years seen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | JC1 | 2017-2020 |
Check your own: the first three characters of a Fiat VIN decide which of these 4 lines your 124 Spider belongs to. What every character in a 124 Spider VIN means →
124 Spider generations, and what changed
These boundaries are not copied from a brochure — they fall out of the measurements. Where the 124 Spider's length or wheelbase jumps between consecutive model years the platform changed: a facelift moves a bumper by centimetres, a new generation moves the whole car — for the 124 Spider that gives 4 distinct generations below.
| Generation | Length | Wheelbase | Weight | vs previous | Weight change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1971-1972 | 397 cm | 228 cm | 928 kg | - | - |
| 1973-1974 | 405 cm | 228 cm | 942 kg | +8 cm | +14 kg |
| 1975-1978 | 414 cm | 228 cm | 1052 kg | +9 cm | +110 kg |
| 2017-2020 | 407 cm | 231 cm | 1114 kg | -7 cm | +62 kg |
Between 1971 and 2020 the 124 Spider gained 10 cm in length (+2.5%) and 186 kg in weight (+20.0%). Cars did not so much grow as thicken — crash structures, airbags and equipment weigh more than the metal they replaced, and on the 124 Spider that is 186 kg against 10 cm. Full dimensions by year →
Fiat 124 Spider tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment 124 Spider owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What engines does the Fiat 124 Spider have? Power & range
The Fiat 124 Spider is offered with 1 powertrain — 1.4L 4-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain — 1 for the Fiat 124 Spider, against one or two on most rivals.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-cyl | 1.4L · 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | RWD | Premium |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
The 124 Spider by the numbers
What the federal and market records say about the Fiat 124 Spider. Each line opens the full breakdown by year.
| Topic | 124 Spider | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Recalls | 5 campaigns | NHTSA, all years |
| Owner complaints | 65 filed | What breaks and when |
| Reliability | 4.5 / 5 | Best and worst years |
| Used value | 21 listings | What it sells for now |
Frequently asked questions
What kind of car is the Fiat 124 Spider?
The 124 Spider is a two-seater, built from 2017 to 2026 across 4 generations. Engines offered: 4-cyl.
Where is the Fiat 124 Spider made?
Across 64 cars in our records the split is: Japan (100%). The first three characters of a VIN identify the plant's manufacturer and country — that is where these shares come from, not from a press release.
How many generations does the 124 Spider have?
4 by our measurements, the latest starting in 2017. We draw the boundaries where length or wheelbase jumps between model years — a facelift moves a bumper, a new generation moves the whole car. Over its life the 124 Spider grew 10 cm longer and gained 186 kg.
What is the Fiat 124 Spider warranty?
New models carry 3 years / 36,000 miles basic cover and 5 years / 60,000 miles on the powertrain. Worth knowing: across our complaint records the typical car reaches the halfway point of its faults at five years, so most repairs land after the basic warranty ends.
Is the 124 Spider reliable?
It scores 4.5/5 in our data. The honest answer depends on the year far more than the model — see the best and worst years, and when this car starts to break.
How do I check a specific 124 Spider?
This page describes the model; it cannot tell you whether that car has an open recall or a branded title. Run its VIN against the records — free, and matched to the exact production run.
More in Fiat
| Model | Years | Recalls | Best MPG | ForCar score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiat 500 | 2012–2019 | 33 | 34 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Fiat 500e | 2024–2026 | 3 | 116 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Fiat 500X | 2016–2026 | 14 | 28 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Fiat 500L | 2014–2020 | 7 | 28 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Fiat Ducato | 2019–2023 | — | 30 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Fiat Freemont | 2011–2016 | — | 34 mpg | 4.5/5 |