The 2017 draws 3.2 complaints per run and the 2020 1.14, a 2.8-fold gap within the same model. Half of all complaints arrive by 5 years of age, so 67.7% land after the 3-year basic warranty ends. The system owners report most is Air Bags, with 30 complaints, typically at 6.6 years.
Fiat 124 Spider years to avoid — and the best ones
| Model year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Enough history? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 8 | 7 | yes | |
| 2019 | 9 | 7 | yes | |
| 2018 | 16 | 9 | yes | |
| 2017 | 32 | 10 | yes |
Among the 4 Fiat 124 Spider years with enough history, the three to walk away from are 2017, 2018, 2019; the three worth hunting are 2020, 2019, 2018.
When it starts to break
| Age at failure | Complaints | Running total | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 years | 9.2% | covered | |
| 1 year | 23.1% | covered | |
| 2 years | 32.3% | covered | |
| 3 years | 38.5% | you pay | |
| 4 years | 43.1% | you pay | |
| 5 years | 58.5% | you pay | |
| 6 years | 69.2% | you pay | |
| 7 years | 84.6% | you pay | |
| 8 years | 96.9% | you pay | |
| 9 years | 100% | you pay |
Basic warranty on this car is 3 years / 36,000 miles. Only 32.3% of reported failures happen inside it — the remaining 67.7% come out of the owner's pocket. Powertrain cover (5 years / 60,000 miles) reaches further, but it only covers the engine and transmission, which account for about 11% of the complaints here.
What actually fails — and at what age
On the Fiat 124 Spider, the early trouble is Electrical System and Seat Belts — reported at around 1.5 years, so a car still under warranty is the one to check for it. What waits further out is Air Bags at 6.6 years — past every basic warranty, and the bill lands on whoever owns the car then.
| System | Complaints | Typical age | Crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 6.6 yrs | — | — | |
| Electrical System | 1.5 yrs | 1 | 1 | |
| Seat Belts | 3.3 yrs | — | — | |
| Engine | 3.9 yrs | — | — | |
| Unknown Or Other | 1.2 yrs | — | — | |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 2.3 yrs | — | — | |
| Visibility/wiper | 0.7 yrs | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 2 yrs | — | — |
What else in this class
6 models share the 124 Spider's vehicle class. Per production run, the Chevrolet Corvette draws 3.41 and the Dodge Viper 1.2, against 1.97 for the 124 Spider.
| Same class as the 124 Spider | Complaints on record | Recall campaigns | Years built |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audi R8 | 8 | 2008–2023 | |
| Chevrolet Corvette | 155 | 1981–2026 | |
| Dodge Viper | 45 | 1992–2017 | |
| Mazda MX-5 | 34 | 1990–2026 | |
| Lamborghini Huracan | 25 | 2015–2026 | |
| Ford GT | 12 | 2004–2022 |
The table shows totals on record; the rates per production run are in the sentence above.
Good year or bad year — the VIN settles it.
- Check any VIN against complaints for its exact build year and plant
- Exact value for that car, adjusted for its mileage
- Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
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Frequently asked questions
Is the Fiat 124 Spider reliable?
By complaints per production run it is better than typical: 1.97 against 3.73 for the average car, and in the middle of its class rivals.
Which 124 Spider years should you avoid?
By complaints per production run, 2017, 2018, 2019. The cleanest years old enough to judge are 2020, 2019, 2018. Years newer than 6 are left out: complaints keep arriving for years after a car is sold.
When do 124 Spider problems usually start?
Half of all complaints arrive by 5 years of age. The most reported system is Air Bags, typically at 6.6 years, followed by Electrical System.
Will the warranty cover 124 Spider problems?
Mostly not: basic cover is 3 years / 36,000 miles, and only 32.3% of reported failures fall inside it. Powertrain cover lasts longer, but engine and transmission make up about 11% of the complaints here.
Is the 124 Spider more reliable than the Chevrolet Corvette?
Yes: 1.97 complaints per production run for the 124 Spider against 3.41 for the Chevrolet Corvette.
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