Fiat 500 Recall R/2009/023: Risk Of Rear Brake Lock Up, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Urgent
- How serious
- 6 Apr 2009
- Launched
- 3,020
- vehicles in the UK
- 5371
- Manufacturer’s campaign code
Fiat recalled 500 vehicles built between 1 August 2008 and 31 January 2009. The rear brake back plate retaining bolts may not have been tightened to the correct specification. The dealer will check the subject bolts and tightened to the correct specification. You won't usually pay for it.1
What’s Wrong
The rear brake back plate retaining bolts may not have been tightened to the correct specification. Should the bolts work loose this can result in noise illumination of the ABS warning light and in extreme cases wheel lock.
DVSA's Original Wording
Concern: RISK OF REAR BRAKE LOCK UP Defect: It has been identified that on subject vehicles the rear brake back plate retaining bolts may not have been tightened to the correct specification. Should the bolts work loose this can result in noise illumination of the ABS warning light and in extreme cases wheel lock. Remedy: Recalled vehicles will have the subject bolts checked and tightened to the correct specification.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
The Risk
If the fault occurs, the recall notice says it could result in noise illumination of the ABS warning light and in extreme cases wheel lock.
The Fix
The dealer will check the subject bolts and tightened to the correct specification.
Are You Affected?
500 built between 1 August 2008 and 31 January 2009 may be included. Fiat estimates 3,020 vehicles in the UK. Enter your registration to check, then confirm by VIN with Fiat, because not every car in the date range may be included.
Which Car Is It?
Choose the make and model so we can match recalls to your car.
What To Do Now
- Check your car by registration above, then by VIN with Fiat.
- Book with any franchised Fiat dealer, quoting the campaign code 5371 or the DVSA reference R/2009/023. See how to get a Fiat recall fixed.
- Follow the letter's instructions until the repair is done. See can you drive a car with a recall?.
Related Recalls
| Launched | Vehicle and fault | Severity | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500, PandaIncorrect information on the registration document and CoC (certificate of Conformity) | Low | R/2023/313 | |
| 500, PandaReverse gear switch not functioning as intended | Low | R/2024/144 | |
| 500Front suspension control arm ball joint | Urgent | R/2023/283 | |
| 500The positive lead on the auxiliary battery terminal may not be tightened correctly | Low | R/2022/268 | |
| 500Ineffective/incorrect tightening of a lock nut on the steering gear rod | Urgent | R/2022/186 |
This is one of 199 Fiat recalls in DVSA’s data. The Fiat recall launched before it was R/2008/181 on 9 Jan 2009, for fuel may leak from manifold. The one launched after it was R/2009/048 on 13 May 2009, for manufacturers plate information incorrect. You can also see every Fiat recall, the Fiat Fiat 500 recall history, all recalls launched in 2009 and brake recalls across every make.
Source: DVSA recall R/2009/023, launched 6 April 2009. Data updated 15 October 2026. How we grade urgency.
Sources
- The Code does not itself say repairs are free. GOV.UK guidance says "You will not usually have to pay for any repairs or parts under a safety recall." gov.uk Checked 15 Oct 2026.