CriticalCommonEngine

Fiat 500: 1.2 FIRE Timing Belt Interference Failure

1.2 FIRE Timing Belt Interference Failure is a common engine fault on the Fiat 500 on the 2007–2020 cars, and we rate it critical. Putting it right costs $400 to $900 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 10 documented faults on the Fiat 500.

Vehicle: Fiat 500
Engine: 1.2L
Years: 2007–2020
Fuel: petrol
Gearbox: manual
System: Engine

This page covers the Fiat 500 as a model. Some faults only affect particular engines or build years — enter a plate below to narrow the list to one car.

All Fiat 500 faults10 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

No photograph available

We do not hold a verified photograph of the Timing belt yet. We would rather show none than show a picture of a different part.

What goes wrong

The 1.2-litre FIRE four-cylinder engine (used in the majority of entry-level Fiat 500s) is an interference engine relying on a rubber timing belt. Unlike a timing chain, this belt is consumable and must be replaced on schedule. Many used examples enter the NZ/AU market with unknown or lapsed belt history. Belt failure at any RPM causes immediate valve-to-piston contact, bending valves and potentially cracking pistons. The FIRE engine's age in NZ-imported cars makes this a high-probability concern.

What you would notice

High-pitched squealing from engine bay
Visible belt wear or cracking if cover removed
Rough running or misfires preceding failure
Sudden engine cutout while driving

How to check it

Where to look. Passenger side of engine block, behind plastic cam cover

Confirm belt replacement is documented at 60,000 km or 5-year intervals. Visually inspect belt for cracks, glaze, or contamination. Check for oil or coolant leaks onto the belt from adjacent seals. Any car without belt history should be priced to include replacement.

Parts involved: Timing belt.

What it costs to put right

$400 to $900 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, in NZD, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

Ask the seller

“When was the timing belt last replaced and at what mileage?”
“Do you have service records from a Fiat dealer or specialist?”
“Has the car ever had any cam cover or front seal leaks?”

Now check the Fiat 500 you are actually looking at

Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.

Not sure what you would be paying for? See what a full KickTyres check includes.

Where this comes from

The failure described above is documented in published sources — owner forums, technical service bulletins, recall notices and workshop write-ups — held in our fault database. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them, and it is a starting point for an inspection rather than a manufacturer statement.

Fiat 500 buyer questions

Is 1.2 fire timing belt interference failure serious on a Fiat 500?

We rate it critical and common on the Fiat 500. The 1.2-litre FIRE four-cylinder engine (used in the majority of entry-level Fiat 500s) is an interference engine relying on a rubber timing belt. Unlike a timing chain, this belt is consumable and must be replaced on schedule. Many used examples enter the NZ/AU market with unknown or lapsed belt history. Belt failure at any RPM causes immediate valve-to-piston contact, bending valves and potentially cracking pistons. The FIRE engine's age in NZ-imported cars makes this a high-probability concern.

How much does it cost to fix on a Fiat 500?

$400 to $900 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.

Which Fiat 500 years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2007–2020 Fiat 500. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.