[Tweak]

Really glad I found this forum and thread. You all seem to be incredibly helpful!
I [Canadian] also drive a 2012 Fiat 500c, its sitting at around 17,500KM right now. I was on my way home from work yesterday. I started the car, got out of the parking lot, went to shift from third into fourth gear a couple hundred meters down the road and noticed the clutch had heavy resistance. I couldn't get it out of gear. I was able to safely pull over and get road side to pick me up.
The dealership called me a short time ago explaining the 'clutch assembly needs replaced'. I've voiced my concern that I couldn't understand how the car is fine one minute, and not the next. I've experienced no grinding of gears, didn't notice any slipping, and I don't drive the car in a manner that would abuse the clutch. The dealer is quoting just under $1300 CAD to replace the 'clutch assembly'. I've asked to view the parts myself before approving anything, I'll be going down later this evening with my father who is far more mechanically inclined then myself.
What information should I be going in with? are the question I should be asking, parts I should see specifically.

Thanks so much for any advice you can offer!

Welcome to the forum. Sorry to read of your issues. I think it would be a good idea to sent a msg to Dave (FiatCACares) the Fiat rep for Canada here on the forum. (He is easily found and sent a msg by clicking on his name above). I know some have mentioned this issue and some made enough fuss that at least a portion of the repair ended up being covered. I do not have anything specific to suggest other than read and research those that have mentioned it here and use what you've read to help best you can. Good luck with a speedy and hopefully cheaper repair!

 

[so cal mark]

it's pretty friggin' sad that Fiat won't warranty a defective part. Sure, the clutch is a wear item but it's not wear that is the problem. It's a seriously inferior part. These clutches should last 100,000 before wearing out and the disc probably will go that long unless it's abused. Why on earth spend $1500 on a part that probably won't last more than a year? Until Fiat acknowledges the problem and offers a better pressure plate this clutch issue won't go away. Once this problem becomes public knowledge, resale prices will dive even lower than they are now

 

[bryan_tdi]

Add me to the list. My 2012 Pop's pressure plate went out two weeks ago at 33k miles. Pressure plate was covered but I had to pay $1k for the clutch.

 

[500SportPHX]

Add my girlfriend's 2012 500 Sport to the list (just posted a new thread) Same issue, happened while on vacation FAR from home, car is babied by her and only has about 23K on it.

 

[Russ]

Add me to the list. 2012 Fiat 500 lounge with 27k. I'm currently working it out with Chrysler Canada with my problem now.

 

[evilkarl the 2nd]

From what I am reading in German Fiat Forum/ Car Mags. the 500 had Clutch Problems as early as 2009.

Here is one of the Reviews.

http://translate.google.com/transla...de&u=http://www.autobild.de/artikel/fiat-500-dauertest-4303794.html&prev=search

 

[pbova]

Same problem happened to me this past Saturday. Been reading several threads and forums of the same issue. Wondering why Fiat is unaware or unresponsive.

I was on a main road pulling out from a stop sign, while in first gear shifting to second

1. The clutch pedal became really stiff and hard to press down
2. I was unable to get out of first gear

I managed to get the car off to the side of the road. I realized:

1. Stiff Clutch pedal (hard to depress)
2. Cannot shift gears while car is on
3. Can shift gears while car is off without depressing the clutch pedal

Had the car towed to the Fiat Larchmont dealership. Dealer call me this morning to tell me the clutch is worn out. 2012 with 34,000 miles on it. Never have I wore out a clutch on a car, even at 80,000 miles. $1,200 to repair, which I am doing because I need a car.

Called Fiat Customer Service. They never heard of this problem before. However, online there are over 100 people discussing this same exact issue. This is definitely something that Fiat should rectify. I am hoping customer service is able to do something to help cover the cost.

 

[michaelo]

I had some issues with Fiat of Larchmont and I will never darken their doors again. Too bad they got you by the balls.

 

[Natalie I.]

I'm having the EXACT same problem and the dealer is telling me that my clutch is out and I'll need to pay $2000 for repair. The car is three years old-the repair is close to 30% of its value. I don't know what to do. I loved Fiat until now.

 

[buttaz]

FiatCare where are you? I had my pressure plate replaced, I paid for the pressure plate at $150 and the dealer covered the labor. The service consultant said is defintely a defective part, but somehow FIAT is arguing that is not. A couple of members on here were able to get FIAT to cover everything, and others good dealerships that understood the situation and took another route to satisfied the customer. If you live in the LA area, I can point you to the right dealer for that work.

- buttaz

 

[FiatCares]

FiatCare where are you? I had my pressure plate replaced, I paid for the pressure plate at $150 and the dealer covered the labor. The service consultant said is defintely a defective part, but somehow FIAT is arguing that is not. A couple of members on here were able to get FIAT to cover everything, and others good dealerships that understood the situation and took another route to satisfied the customer. If you live in the LA area, I can point you to the right dealer for that work.

- buttaz

Buttaz:

I would not be able to dispute whether or not its a defective part or not, but can only simply address it per the terms of the warranty. Without your VIN to verify the exact coverage, the clutch and its assemblies are warranted for 12 mos, 12000 miles. So, Im assuming, if you paid for the part, you were out of warranty. If the dealer helped out, that is great for out of warranty assistance. I would not be able to adjust labor, because it is an independent dealer charge, so its nice that they offered to cover that, because they do not have to. If you would have called the call centers, the assistance would have been similar, prob based on age, and mileage. As to why other customer got more covered, I cant comment, everything is reviewed on a case by case basis and every dealer is independently owned and operated.

 

[500spot]

So apparently Jonathan cares and Fiat doesn't

 

[evilkarl the 2nd]

Like I said before it is not only in NA. Very similar Problem like some Members have on this and the blue Forum. Also Members from the German Fiat Forum have the same Problems.

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=98188

http://www.truedelta.com/2012-Fiat-500/transmission-problems-1014

 

[Fiat500SF]

Having exact same issue,(see my other thread).
Now I don't even know if I should go to the Fiat dealership for repair. I'll contact Jonathan @FiatCares.

 

[pbova]

Update:

I called the Fiat 800# and told them of my issue. They issued a $500.00 credit on the repairs which I received at Fiat of Larchmont. The dealership also took 10% off of the entire bill (before the credit). I think they are becoming aware of the problem and trying their best to rectify the situation. With regards to the repair costs it was $1,100 (labor and materials), less 10% ($990) less the discount of $500. So total clutch replacement was $490.00. I am satisfied with the response of Fiat and the Dealership. It is a product flaw that should be covered 100%, however, in light of the warranty they did not have to do anything.

 

[Russ]

Add me to the list. 2012 Fiat 500 lounge with 27k. I'm currently working it out with Chrysler Canada with my problem now.

Update:
Good news! My clutch was covered by Chrysler! I paid about 200 Canadian to replace the old release bearings as well.

 

[evilkarl the 2nd]

Glad to hear that Fiat made it right.

 

[buttaz]

The member ghostdog, was taking a count on how many members on here that had experienced that problems on there 2012's car. I wonder if he is still doing a count on it ...

- buttaz

 

[solamour]

Add me to the list. 2012 500C Pop 22K on odometer. Towed the car to Kearny Mesa Fiat in San Diego this morning. Being stuck in the middle of the road (with a long line of cars behind me) wasn't exactly a thrilling experience. The guy at the studio said I wasn't the first one with this particular problem and it should be covered by the warranty. Hope it is.__sol

 

[solamour]

Here is an update. The studio replaced the clutch assembly under warranty. It was going to take a few days to fix it due to lack of the required parts in stock, but somehow they managed to fix it in a couple of days. The clutch now feels somewhat stiffer than usual (most likely because it's new), but I guess I'd get used to it it eventually.

On a related note, would holding the clutch with the gear in neutral do any harm? I was under the impression that doing so might cause unnecessary wear and tear on the flywheel, but the clutch will need to be replaced before the flywheel anyway (and they need to be replaced both at the same time), so I'm not sure my holding clutch with gear neutral was cause of the problem. I'd appreciate any opinions.
__
sol