2017 FIAT 124 Spider Problems

Complaints Reported

Complaints by Component

AIR BAGS

13 complaints

The contact owns a 2017 Fiat 124 Spider. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V694000 (AIR BAGS); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The contact was informed that the dealer was not equipped with the tools to repair the vehicle.

Aug 11, 2025

I am writing to formally express my concern and disappointment regarding the lack of transparency and communication surrounding the airbag recall for the Fiat 124, first issued in 2024. As of today, Fiat has not provided any meaningful updates, solutions, or timelines regarding this serious safety issue. There has been no information uploaded to official channels, nor have customers been contacted with guidance or offered temporary remedies. This silence is particularly alarming given the nature of the defect—involving airbags, a critical safety component that can mean the difference between life and death in an accident. To date, there has been no call for refunds, replacements, or even interim safety measures while Fiat “works on finding a reliable outcome for the future.” This delay, paired with a lack of communication, suggests a disregard for customer safety and a failure to meet basic standards of accountability. I urge Fiat to immediately provide an update to the public regarding the status of this recall, including what steps are being taken, projected timelines, and what current owners of the affected vehicles should do in the meantime. Anything less is unacceptable when dealing with an issue of this magnitude.

Jun 11, 2025

Jun 03, 2025

The contact owns a 2017 Fiat 124 Spider. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V694000 (AIR BAGS); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

May 28, 2025

I received the airbag recall letter in December (recall A3B)on my 2017 Spyder Fiat. I understand that the recall started in September.I have called Fiat every month since. I am always advised the parts are not available with no update on when the parts will become available. The airbag warning light is on. Due to the safety recall the car is not safe to drive. Fiat does not seem in any hurry to provide a remedy. This puts the onus on the customer. I am paying insurance and long term warranty on a car I can’t drive. Surely a corporation should bear the responsibility to provide a timely solution.

May 22, 2025

+ 8 more complaints for this component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

5 complaints

My dealership where I bought my car let me know of a recall my vehicle had during an oil change. I then asked if they could fix it to where they said no, that only FIAT could fix it or another dealership about 40 minutes away. I then went to that other dealership and they told me no because it had to be done through the dealership I bought the car from. Then the guy told me he had the parts but he won't do it because he won't get paid for it. I've looked up so many places and nobody wants to do it so what am I supposed to do? Wait for the car to break down. They are literally the worst people and lazy. They once left "forgot" to put my skid plate back on and when I told them the next time I went the lady told me they would never do such a thing or let me go months without it, but they did. This dealership is 2 hours away I can't keep going back and forth arguing with them I need this resolved now, it's been months close to a year since they mentioned the recall.

Sep 16, 2024

ALARM KEEPS RANDOMLY GOING OFF, DOESN'T MATTER HOW FAST YOU ARE GOING, WHAT GEAR, WHAT TYPE OF ROAD, WENT OFF 15 TIMES ONE DAY, 5 TIMES THE NEXT DAY

Aug 27, 2018

Crash: 1

Fire: 1

WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 30 AND 70 MPH IN SECOND TO SIXTH GEAR, THE CAR'S ALARM SYSTEM RANDOMLY ACTIVATES WITHOUT APPARENT REASON. THE HORN SOUNDS AND EMERGENCY FLASHERS ILLUMINATE WITHOUT CUTTING OFF. THE ALARM IS DEACTIVATED BY STOPPING THE CAR AND SHUTTING OFF THE IGNITION. SWITCHING IT ON AGAIN RESULTS IN THE ALARM NOT ACTIVE. THE ALARM ACTIVATION OCCURS RANDOMLY AND SPORADICALLY WHEN DRIVING ON HARD SURFACES INCLUDING COUNTY ROADS, CITY STREETS, AND INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS, USUALLY DRIVING STRAIGHT, DURING DRY WEATHER CONDITIONS, AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, AND IN DIFFERENT GEARS. THIS RANDOM ALARM ACTIVATION HAPPENS AT IRREGULAR INTERVALS PERHAPS A DAY OR A MONTH APART. IT STARTED BEFORE MAY 2017 AND CONTINUES JULY 2018. *TR

Jul 24, 2018

WHILE DRIVING MY 2017 FIAT SPIDER 124 ABARTH ON REGULAR PAVED ROADS, THE ALARM ACTIVATES. JUST DRIVING NORMALLY DOWN THE ROAD. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED WAS WHILE SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. THE SECOND TIME WAS AFTER TURNING RIGHT ONTO ANOTHER ROAD AND SPEEDING UP. THE HORN STARTS BLOWING AND ALL THE LIGHTS START FLASHING. SCARES ME AND EVERYONE AROUND ME. THIS APPEARS TO BE A PROBLEM ON THE ABARTH MODEL AND HAS BEEN KNOWN TO BE A PROBLEM FOR OVER A YEAR, WITH NO FIX IN SIGHT. MINE HAS DONE THIS TWICE BUT OTHERS HAVE REPORTED IT HAPPENING MANY TIMES. FCA IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.

Jun 18, 2018

OUR 2017 FIAT 124 SPIDER ABARTH ALARM GOES OFF RANDOMLY SOMETIMES 4 OR 5 TIMES A DAY WHILE DRIVING. MY WIFE HAS BEEN ON THE FREEWAY AND LIGHTS FLASH AND HORN CONSTANTLY GOES OFF UNTIL SHE HAS TO PULL OFF IN TRAFFIC AND STOP THE CAR AND RESTART. PUSHING PANIC BUTTON DOES NOTHING. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH MANY FIAT SPIDERS AND ALSO MIATAS THAT ARE BOTH BUILT IN THE SAME PLANT. THE DEALER SPENT DAYS BUT COULDN'T FIX AND NOW IS GOING TO ORDER NEW BCM AND FOBS BUT FROM THE FORUMS ON BOTH CARS I'M NOT HOPEFUL. THINKING WE MAY HAVE TO GO THE LEMON LAW ROUTE BUT DEALERS ARE SNEAKY WITH NOT CALL BACKS AND AVOIDING TRIPPING THE LEMON LAW REQUIREMENTS. MY WIFE IS STRESSING OUT SO BADLY WITH WORRY EVERY DAY SHE COMMUTES. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL IN MY OPINION.

Dec 06, 2017

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

4 complaints

TPMS SOUNDS WARNING ALARM AND LIGHT WHEN DRIVING - ALTHOUGH TIRE PRESSURES ARE FINE. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES IN THE NEARLY 2 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP AND BEEN TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES FOR ATTEMPTED REPAIRS. THE AUDIBLE ALARM IS ALSO SO LOUD IT SCARES ME WHEN IT GOES OFF - AND IS NOT ADJUSTABLE. THIS IS NOT SAFE WHEN I AM DRIVING, PARTICULARLY IN TRAFFIC. I DON'T WANT TO FEEL THAT I HAVE TO STOP ON THE ROADSIDE AND CHECK THE TIRES WHEN THE SYSTEM IS GIVING ME A FALSE POSITIVE. DEALER HAS NO ANSWERS. SAID TO JUST HIT THE RESET BUTTON. THE SYSTEM IS WORTHLESS - IT'S LIKE THE BOY THAT CRIES WOLF -- IT GOES OFF BUT YOU START TO IGNORE IT BECAUSE IT'S NEVER RIGHT. CHRYSLER/FIAT NEEDS TO REMEDY THIS.

Jan 24, 2019

THE VEHICLE'S ALARM (HORN AND FLASHERS) PERIODICALLY GOES OFF WHILE DRIVING. IT WILL SOMETIMES STOP ON ITS OWN, BUT TYPICALLY REQUIRES THAT THE CAR IS SHUT OFF TO STOP THE ALARM. THE EVENT DOES NOT HAPPEN WITH ANY CONSISTENCY AND WILL SOMETIMES HAPPEN TWO OR THREE TIMES IN A DAY, BUT SOMETIMES WILL NOT HAPPEN FOR TWO OR THREE WEEKS. IT HAS HAPPENED WHEN DRIVING ON BOTH THE FREEWAY AND CITY ROADS. WHEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY SAY THAT THE PROBLEM CANNOT BE DUPLICATED, NO CODES WERE PRESENT TO EXPLAIN THE OCCURRENCE, AND THE PROBLEM CONTINUES TO GO UNRESOLVED.

Nov 19, 2018

THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION SHIFTS OUT OF 4TH GEAR BY ITSELF. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON A HIGHWAY AS WELL AS IN STREET TRAFFIC

Jun 29, 2018

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE MY ALARM GOES OFF. HORN BEEPS AND FLASHES FLASH. THE ONLY WAY TO MAKE IT STOP IS TO PULL OVER AND TURN CAR OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES. THE CAR WAS BOUGHT NEW ON DEC 4, 2017 THE 1ST TIME WAS DEC 5. AND SO ON. THE CAR IS IN THE SHOP NOW.

Feb 01, 2018

SEAT BELTS

2 complaints

Boyh seatbelts do not retract properly

Jul 12, 2022

SEAT BELTS DON'T FULLY RETRACT AND COULD NOT PROTECT IN AN EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT AS THEY ARE NOT TIGHT AGAINST THE BODY.

Jan 07, 2021

ENGINE

1 complaint

Vehicle has been consuming excessive amount of oil & has affected my engine and turbo. When the oil is low, car will just turn off and stop running.

Jun 12, 2025

AIR BAGS,BACK OVER PREVENTION

1 complaint

The contact owns a 2017 Fiat 124 Spyder. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V694000 (AIR BAGS) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The contact stated that the digitizer delaminated, and he could no longer read the information on the display and was also obstructing the rearview camera display. The contact referenced Technical Service Bulletin: SA-027/24 as possible cause for the failure. The local dealer was contacted, and the vehicle was inspected; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact was provided and estimate for the repair; however, the contact emphasized that the cost for repair was unjust due to the technical service bulletin. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 35,000.

Apr 17, 2025

ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 complaint

VEHICLE WILL STALL WHILE DRIVING - TYPICALLY THE VEHICLE WILL DISPLAY THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL (ETC) WARNING LIGHT PRIOR TO STALL. STALL WILL HAPPEN WHILE ACTIVELY DRIVING. ENGINE INDICATOR LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATES. DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED 5 TIMES TO CORRECT. EACH TIME THE DEALER DELIVERS VEHICLE. WITHIN 24 HOURS OF DELIVERY, THE ENGINE AGAIN BEGINS TO HESITATE AND STALL, ETC AND CEL LIGHT COME ON.

Jun 03, 2019

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPER

1 complaint

THIS CAR HAS BEEN TOWED IN 3 TIMES WITH STATING PROBLEMS, ENGINE LEAKING OIL AND ALL LIGHTS COMING ON DASH. IT HAS BEEN BACK TO DEALER 7 TIMES AND I ONLY HAVE 4700 MILES ON A 1 YEAR OLD CAR. EACH TIME THE CAR WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY

May 09, 2018

ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM,VISIBILITY/WIPER

1 complaint

THERMOSTAT, EXCELERATOR PEDAL, REPLACED AND WINDOW WASHER TUBE REINSTALLED AT 2,477 MILES. AT 3,014 MILS CAR WAS TOWED 2 TIMES IN A WEEK FOR CAR NOT STARTING. THE SPARK PLUGS WERE OIL SOAKED AND FOULED OUT. THE MOST RECENT WAS NOW AT 4,681 MILES THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON , CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND VACUUM PUMP GASKET WENT AND WAS LOW IN COOLANT. EACH TIME THE CAR WAS IN FOR 4 DAYS AT A TIME. FCA PAID FOR 3 TOWS. I NOW HAVE A YEAR OLD CAR WITH UNDER 5,000 MILES ON IT. EACH TIME IT WAS TOWED FROM IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE.

May 06, 2018

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

1 complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FIAT 124 SPIDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE CAR ALARM SYSTEM RANDOMLY ACTIVATED. WHEN THE ALARM ACTIVATED, THE HORN AND THE EMERGENCY LIGHTS TURNED ON. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND TURNED ON THE VEHICLE, THE ALARM SYSTEM DEACTIVATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT AFTER DRIVING FOR 10 MINUTES THE ALARM SYSTEM ACTIVATED AGAIN. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE THE FAILURE OCCURRED 19 TIMES AND EVERY TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED THE CONTACT HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 888-242-6342 AND WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER ASKED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. A CASE NUMBER 32632158 WAS PROVIDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 900.

Oct 27, 2017

STRUCTURE

1 complaint

MY WINDSHIELD FRACTURED AND CRACKED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON NC 101 IN CARTERET COUNTY. I NEITHER HEARD OR SAW ANYTHING HIT THE CAR. I PUT IN A CLAIM TO NATIONWIDE INSURANCE COMPANY AND WAS GIVEN AN APPOINTMENT FOR REPLACEMENT WITH SAFE LIGHT AUTO GLASS. THIS WAS MAY 15, 2017. ON THE DAY OF MY APPOINTMENT I WAS TOLD THE WIND SHIELD WAS NOT AVAILABLE. IT WOULD BE 2-3 WEEKS. I CALLED IN JUNE AROUND THE 15TH AND WAS TOLD THE WINDSHIELD WAS NOT BEING RELEASED BY THE MANUFACTURER. I THEN CONTACTED TOLER JEEP, WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR. THEY ALSO SAID THEY COULD NOT GET THE WINDSHIELD FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS IT WAS NOT BEING RELEASED. I CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THEY DID NOT HAVE THE WINDSHIELD BUT EXPECTED IT TO BE RELEASED IN 1-2 WEEKS. AROUND JULY 15 I CALLED THE REPAIR COMPANY, I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND I AGAIN CALLED FIAT. I WAS PUT OFF AGAIN AND TOLD THE WINDSHIELD WOULD BE RELEASED ON AUGUST 3. WHEN I CALLED THE FIAT COMPANY LAST WEEK, I WAS AGAIN TOLD THE WINDSHIELD WAS NOT READY FOR RELEASE AGAIN. THIS IS A BRAND NEW CAR. I AM SURE THE COMPANY IS STILL MAKING THE CAR AND HAS WINDSHIELDS TO SEND OUT FOR REPAIR. IF THEY CAN NOT REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD, THEY SHOULD REPLACE THE CAR OR AT THE VERY LEAST PAY MY DEDUCTIBLE FOR MY TROUBLE. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO LOOK THROUGH A DEFECT IN THE WINDSHIELD FOR 3 MONTHS NOW. IN A BRAND NEW SPORTS CAR!!!

Aug 07, 2017

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many problems does the 2017 FIAT 124 Spider have?

The 2017 FIAT 124 Spider currently has 31 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.

What are the most common problems with 2017 FIAT 124 Spider?

The most common problems reported for the 2017 FIAT 124 Spider are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.

Where does this 2017 FIAT 124 Spider problem data come from?

All problem and complaint data for the 2017 FIAT 124 Spider comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.