Petrol · 2007–now
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
All about the Fiat 500All about the 1.1 / 1.2 / 1.4 8v & 16v FIRE engine
The 1.2 8v & 16v FIRE engine was fitted to the Fiat 500 (2007–now). In the EU that is 58.2 % of all new cars of this generation.
Versions: 1.2 69 hp, 1.2.
The most expensive known risk is head gasket failure after overheating: it usually appears at 100,000–220,000 km and costs €400–900 to fix.
✓ The faults of this engine were checked against sources (10/2026). Each item has at least two independent sources or an official recall or parts-maker technical note.
Signs: Misfire, rough idle, flashing engine light, P030x codes, sometimes visible sparking at the leads in the dark or wet
Fix: Check plugs, leads and the coil pack; replace the leads as a set with good-quality parts and the coil pack if it is cracked or weak
Signs: Hunting or pulsing idle, stalling when coming to a stop, sometimes worse in damp weather; throttle position fault codes on electronic throttles
Fix: Clean the throttle body, the idle control valve (cable-throttle 1.1 and early 1.2) and the MAP sensor, check the breather hoses, then run the throttle adaptation; replace the throttle body if the position sensor is faulty
Signs: Engine cuts out while driving or will not start, often when hot, then restarts after cooling; code P0335
Fix: Read the fault memory, check the sensor plug and wiring, and replace the sensor with a quality part
Signs: Temperature gauge stays low, weak heater, fans start early, engine light with coolant temperature codes
Fix: Replace the thermostat (check which of the two types the engine has), refill and bleed the cooling system, and renew old coolant
Signs: Coolant loss, coolant traces or crust at the pump behind the timing cover, noise from the pump bearing
Fix: Replace the pump together with the timing belt kit; use only a thin bead of sealant on the pump
Signs: Coolant loss without a visible leak, white smoke, mayonnaise under the oil cap, overheating, bubbles in the expansion tank
Fix: Pressure and CO test of the cooling system; replace the head gasket, have the head checked for flatness, and fix the cause (thermostat, pump, fan, leaks)
Signs: Oily engine, oil drops under the car, oil smell; oil can reach the coil pack area on top of the engine
Fix: Find the leak and replace the cam cover gasket or the leaking crankshaft seal; a rear crankshaft seal needs the gearbox removed
Signs: Red steering wheel warning light, assistance cutting out intermittently and then heavy steering; fault C1002 often stored.
Fix: Check battery and charging voltage first, then read codes; replace or have the steering column EPS unit rebuilt (sensor alone is not sold separately on later cars).
Signs: Knocking or noise from the steering column under load; in the worst case the joint separates and steering is lost.
Fix: Check the VIN for the 2010 recalls; the dealer checks the staking of the fork and fits a bolt with thread locker free of charge.
Signs: Knocking from the front over bumps, play found at the roadworthiness test.
Fix: Replace the ball joint or the complete lower wishbone, then check wheel alignment.
Signs: Knocking or rattling from the rear over bumps, oily damper bodies, failed damper test at inspection.
Fix: Replace leaking dampers in axle pairs and fit new upper mounting bushes.
Signs: Humming or growling that rises with speed and changes when cornering.
Fix: Identify the noisy wheel and replace the bearing (rear bearings come as a hub unit).
Signs: Door handle hangs loose or comes off, door hard or impossible to open from outside.
Fix: Remove the door card and fit a new handle hinge (part 51964555) or a complete handle.
Signs: Bubbling paint or rust along the lower tailgate edges and around the number plate trim.
Fix: Treat early: clean back, prime and paint the edges, keep drain holes clear; later the tailgate may need repair or replacing.
Signs: Battery warning light, flat battery, belt squeal; low voltage can also trigger the power steering warning.
Fix: Check auxiliary belt tension and condition first, then test and replace the alternator if it does not charge.
Signs: Exterior lights or instrument lighting can fail without warning.
Fix: Check the VIN for recall R/2014/088; the dealer secures the wiring loom free of charge.
Signs: No symptoms; in a side impact the airbag on the wrong side could deploy.
Fix: Check the VIN for recall R/2010/117; the dealer updates the airbag control unit software free of charge.
Signs: Slipping, high bite point
Fix: Replace clutch kit
Signs: Longer and rougher shifts, pump runs often or for long, gears drop out while driving, gearbox warning and the car stays in neutral
Fix: Check the hydraulic pressure and fluid level; replace the pressure accumulator first if it has lost its charge, otherwise repair or replace the pump / power unit and bleed the system
Signs: Flashing gear display, delayed or skipped gears, fluid loss from the actuator, gear-sensor or lever-switch fault codes
Fix: Find the leak; reseal the actuator (selector rod O-rings), clean or replace the position sensor, top up with the approved hydraulic fluid and run the calibration
Signs: Jerky or juddering pull-away and upshifts, clutch slip, high clutch wear index in diagnostics
Fix: Read the clutch wear index and adaptation values; replace the clutch if outside the range, then reset the wear index and re-learn the kiss point
Typical routine maintenance cost for 100,000 km: €2,650–5,850. Sum of the services and wear parts in the plan above (about 15,000 km a year, independent workshop), without faults.
Intervals and typical prices for the Fiat 500 with the 1.2 8v & 16v FIRE engine. The app gives the exact plan for your mileage.
| Item | Interval | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil + oil filterEngine | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €70–150 |
| Cabin (pollen) filterClimate | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €15–40 |
| Brake fluidBrakes | every 24 months | €50–95 |
| A/C service (regas + desiccant)Climate | every 24 months | €70–150 |
| Air filterEngine | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €15–45 |
| Spark plugsIgnition | every 60,000 km or every 48 months | €50–160 |
| Auxiliary (serpentine) beltEngine | every 120,000 km | €70–180 |
| Timing belt kit + water pumpEngine | every 120,000 km or every 60 months | €450–900 |
| Coolant replacementCooling | every 150,000 km or every 96 months | €70–150 |
| Manual gearbox oilTransmission | every 150,000 km | €60–130 |
| Front brake padsBrakes | usually at 30,000–60,000 km | €60–150 |
| Front brake discs + padsBrakes | usually at 60,000–120,000 km | €150–320 |
| Rear brake padsBrakes | usually at 50,000–90,000 km | €50–130 |
| Tyres (set of 4)Wheels | usually at 40,000–60,000 km | €320–700 |
| Wiper bladesBody | checked at service | €20–50 |
| 12V batteryElectrical | checked at service | €100–220 |
| Version | Share | Years | CO₂ | Fuel use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.2 Petrol1,242 cm³ · 51 kW (69 hp) | 44.7 % | 2011–2024 | 132 g/km | 5.9 L |
| 1.2 Petrol1,242 cm³ | 12.8 % | 2010–2020 | 131 g/km | — |
Source: European Environment Agency (EEA), monitoring of CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars, CC BY 4.0. CO₂ and fuel use are official type-approval values (WLTP from 2021), not real-world consumption.
Recalls the manufacturer published in the United Kingdom for this model (32). The same recalls usually apply across Europe. Ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN whether your car is affected and whether the work has been done.
The faults with the highest risk: head gasket failure after overheating (100,000–220,000 km, €400–900); alternator failure or poor charging (petrol 1.2 / 1.4) (60,000–200,000 km, €100–500); water pump leaks before the timing belt is due (80,000–160,000 km, €200–450); front lower ball joints / wishbones wear early (50,000–160,000 km, €100–300).
Belt · 120,000 km / every 60 mo.
5W-40 · Fiat 9.55535-S2 / ACEA A3 · ~2.8 L · every 15,000 km.
1.0 FireFly (incl. turbo / mild hybrid)0.9 TwinAir1.4 T-Jet / MultiAir (turbo)1.3 MultiJet / CDTI / DDiS / TDCi
Fiat Grande Punto / Punto 2005–2018Ford Ka II 2008–2016Fiat Panda II 2003–2012Fiat Panda III 2012–Fiat Doblò II 2010–2022Alfa Romeo MiTo 2008–2018Fiat 500L 2012–2022Fiat Tipo 2015–Fiat Bravo II 2007–2014Fiat Fiorino / Qubo 2008–Lancia Musa 2004–2012Lancia Ypsilon (846) 2011–2024
Main sources for the faults of this engine:
Faults, intervals and prices are indicative and collected from public sources and owner experience; always rely on the service book and a qualified workshop. Test statistics: DVSA – Anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0. Dutch tests: RDW Open Data (CC0). Engine versions: EEA, monitoring of CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars (CC BY 4.0, DG CLIMA). Owner complaints: NHTSA ODI (public domain). Recalls: DVSA Vehicle Safety Branch Recalls Database, OGL v3.0. Brand and model names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to describe the vehicles. How we check the data →
Updated 29/10/2026