Recall 19V817 affects 51,788 2012-2013 FIAT 500 vehicles for a shifter cable bushing that can detach. Repair is free at any franchised FIAT dealer.
FIAT is recalling 51,788 2012-2013 FIAT 500 vehicles with 6-speed automatic transmissions under recall 19V817 because the shifter cable bushing can fail and let the cable detach from the transmission. If that happens, the transmission will not shift into the selected gear and the vehicle can roll away from PARK, raising crash risk. FIAT dealers will fix this for free.
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What's wrong?
The shifter cable on the 2012-2013 FIAT 500 with the 6-speed automatic transmission is what physically links the shift lever inside the cabin to the transmission. When you move the lever from Park to Drive or Reverse, the cable pulls the transmission into the gear you selected. A small bushing at the transmission end of the cable holds that connection tight.
On affected FIAT 500s, that bushing is made of a urethane material that breaks down over time. Once it deteriorates, the cable can detach from the transmission entirely. After that, moving the shift lever does nothing. The transmission stays in whatever gear it was last in, even though the indicator on the dash will still show the gear you selected.
There is no warning sign before the cable detaches. After it happens, the shift lever will feel unusually loose, and the gear indicator will show the actual transmission gear regardless of where you move the lever.
Who's affected?
Covers the 2012 and 2013 model years of the 500, with two component codes (automatic transmission and the floor shift lever and linkage) tracing back to the same shifter defect.
| 2012 FIAT 500 | automatic transmission |
|---|---|
| 2012 FIAT 500 | automatic transmission |
| 2013 FIAT 500 | automatic transmission |
| 2013 FIAT 500 | automatic transmission |
| Units affected | 51,788 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 3 field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific car is included in this recall.
What's the safety risk?
A detached shifter cable can leave the transmission in the wrong gear, and the vehicle can roll away even with the lever in Park. Both raise the risk of a crash. There is no warning before the cable detaches, though the lever will feel unusually loose afterward. Keep the parking brake set whenever the vehicle is stopped on any grade until the repair is done. Repair is free at any franchised FIAT dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012-2013 FIAT 500 is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised FIAT dealer to schedule the shifter-cable-adjuster replacement that fixes the cable detachment problem.
- Reference recall number 19V817 when you call, and bring the owner notice if FIAT has mailed one.
- Always set the parking brake before leaving the vehicle until the repair is complete, since the transmission can fail to hold in PARK.
- Call FIAT customer service at 1-800-853-1403 with questions about scheduling or the repair timeline.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a FIAT technician replaces the shifter cable adjuster on the 6-speed automatic transmission. Parts and labor are free under the recall. If you previously paid out of pocket to repair a detached or failing shifter cable on your 2012-2013 FIAT 500, FCA's longstanding reimbursement practice covers documented expenses. Send the original receipt or other adequate proof of payment to FCA, as described in the owner letter, so the company can confirm the expense and process your claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| November 15, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 4, 2020 | Dealer notification began |
| January 4, 2020 | Dealer notification ended |
| January 4, 2020 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| January 4, 2020 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| January 9, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V817?
Recall 19V817 covers 51,788 2012-2013 FIAT 500 vehicles equipped with 6-speed automatic transmissions. The shifter cable bushing can fail and let the cable detach from the transmission, which can prevent the gear selected by the driver from engaging and allow the vehicle to roll away when set to PARK. FIAT dealers will replace the shifter cable adjuster for free.
What should I do if my 2012-2013 FIAT 500 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 19V817. If it is, contact a franchised FIAT dealer to schedule the shifter cable adjuster replacement. Reference recall number 19V817 when you call. The repair is free, and you can also reach Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403 with questions.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to fix the defect at no cost to the owner. FIAT dealers will replace the shifter cable adjuster free of charge at any franchised FIAT dealer, regardless of where you bought the vehicle. Parts and labor are covered.
What if I bought my FIAT 500 used?
The free repair still applies. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to honor the recall regardless of ownership history. If Chrysler never mailed you a notice, check your VIN to confirm whether your 500 is included, and reference recall number 19V817 when you call a franchised FIAT dealer to schedule the shifter cable adjuster replacement.
Is it safe to drive my FIAT 500 before the repair?
This recall does not carry a do-not-drive warning. Until the shifter cable adjuster is replaced, always set the parking brake when stopping, since a failed shifter cable bushing can let the vehicle roll away even when the shifter is set to PARK. Schedule the free repair at a franchised FIAT dealer as soon as you can.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V817000 |
|---|---|
| FIAT customer service | 1-800-853-1403 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V817 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V817000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 24, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →