When the automobile isn't driven or started for 3 weeks or more the engine will not start. The multiair system will lose its oil pressure. The manufacturer needs to do a recall to fix this problem. This car isn't designed to be an everyday driver and this is a well known and documented problem.
Engine & cooling
2017 Fiat 124 Spider Engine problems
Owners have filed 4 complaints about the 2017 Fiat 124 Spider's engine & cooling with NHTSA - 12% of all its complaints, most recently on June 29, 2026. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.
- Complaints
- 4
- Recalls
- 0
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Engine complaints
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.
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.
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.
Fiat 124 Spider engine complaints by year
124 Spider engine problems, every yearSource: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data