FordFiesta2018Overview/ford/fiesta/2018/base/

2018 Ford Fiesta

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2018 Fiesta.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (AM-S6)

The 2018 Ford Fiesta is a passenger car featuring an AM-S6 automatic transmission and an EPA-rated fuel economy of 27/37/31 mpg. With zero recalls and 35 total owner complaints, this model year is positioned favorably within the vehicle's 1991-2019 production history. This stability is particularly evident when compared to the model's peak of 729 complaints recorded in 2011.

Model year201920182017201620152014201320122011

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacityNSOEM · verified
Engine oil typeNSOEM · verified
Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy27/37/31 mpgEPA · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (AM-S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length159.8 in
Overall width67.7 in
Overall height58.3 in
Wheelbase98 in
Curb weight2538 lb
Track (front / rear)57.9 / 57.1 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)59/41

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined27 / 37 / 31 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume85 cu ft
Cargo volume13 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Fiesta of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.4–10.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.40 sec — 2014 ST Hatchback
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2017ST Hatchback 1.6L Turbo I-46.90 sec15.10 sec197 hpFWD
2017Titanium Hatchback 1.6L I-49.10 sec17.10 sec120 hpFWD
2016SE Hatchback 1.6L I-48.70 sec16.80 sec120 hpFWD
2014ST Hatchback 1.6L Turbo I-46.40 sec14.90 sec197 hpFWD
2014ST Hatchback 1.6L Turbo I-46.70 sec15.10 sec197 hpFWD
2014ST Hatchback 1.6L Turbo I-46.70 sec15.00 sec197 hpFWD
2014ST Hatchback 1.6L Turbo I-47.00 sec15.20 sec197 hpFWD
2014ST Hatchback 1.6L Turbo I-47.10 sec15.30 sec197 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds NS of NS engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-4-3. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub188.0

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-4-3
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug GapDuratech: .028-.031; Ecoboost: .031 in
Spark Plug Torque11 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.30-1.50 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.10-4.50 oz

Service checks

RPM57.6 rpm

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 19; Rear: 26
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque52
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: .826; Rear: .354
Maximum Rotor Runout.002

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 5 stages
1Bolts 1-1662 in
2Bolts 17-2089 in
3Bolts 1-1645 degrees
4Bolts 17and1970 degrees
553.0
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Ecoboost engines

189.0 inch lbs.89 in
213.0 ft. lbs.13 ft. lbs
318.0 ft. lbs.; Strep 4: 90.0 degrees; Duratec engines; Step 1; 13.0 ft. lbs.18 ft. lbs
245.0 degrees45 degrees
345.0
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
174 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90 degrees, Step 3: Wait 2 Seconds, Step 4: 1574 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep New cylinder head bolts must be installed.

13.7 ft. lbs.3.7 ft. lbs
211.0 ft. lbs.11 ft. lbs
326.0 ft. lbs.26 ft. lbs
475 degrees75 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep New cylinder head bolts must be installed.

13.7 ft. lbs.3.7 ft. lbs
211.0 ft. lbs.11 ft. lbs
326.0 Ft. lbs.26 Ft. lbs
490 degrees90 degrees
590 degrees90 degrees
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep Ecoboost engines

122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
280.0 degrees; Duratec engines; Step 1; 11.0 ft. lbs.80 degrees
218.0 ft. lbs.18 ft. lbs
322.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
490.0
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages
14.4 ft. lbs.4.4 ft. lbs
213.2
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages
114.7 ft. lbs., Step 2: 29.5 ft. lbs.14.7 ft. lbs
340.5
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages
115 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
215
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep Ecoboost engines

114.0 ft. lbs.14 ft. lbs
285.0 degrees; Duratec engines; Step 1; 22.0 ft. lbs.85 degrees
237.0 ft. lbs.37 ft. lbs
345.0 degrees45 degrees
445.0
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep Ecoboost engines

153.0 inch lbs.53 in
289.0 inch lbs.; Duratec engines; Step 1; 11.0 ft. lbs.89 in
218.0 ft. lbs.18 ft. lbs
322.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
490.0

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 10,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect)
Every 20,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 100,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miDrive Belt (replace) · Timing Belt (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2018 Ford Fiesta represents the low point in complaints for this generation, with only 35 complaints recorded—down dramatically from 729 in 2011 and even from 72 in 2017. Notably, 2018 is the only model year in the dataset with zero NHTSA investigations and zero recalls, suggesting the vehicle reached a maturity point where major systemic issues had been addressed. The complaint trend shows a steady decline from 2011 through 2018, though TSBs (technical service bulletins) also dropped to 56 from 92 in 2017, indicating fewer field service actions were needed. The top complaint areas for 2018 were evenly split between unknown/other issues and powertrain concerns (7 each), with electrical system and air bag issues also cited, and there were 4 crash-related complaints but no fire complaints. However, the 2019 data shows a reversal—complaints rose to 92, recalls jumped to 3, and TSBs dropped to 41, suggesting Ford may have addressed some issues but introduced new ones or owners reported previously latent problems. The 2018 Fiesta appears to be thesweet spot within this generation, offering the lowest complaint volume and no open recalls at the time, though the spike in 2019 warrants caution and thorough pre-purchase inspection.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
56
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
35
Owner complaints
4 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 35 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Unknown Or Other7
Power Train7
Electrical System4
Air Bags3
Engine2
Power Train,Engine2
Latches/Locks/Linkages1
Fuel/Propulsion System1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 56 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
25N172026-03-25Unknown Or OtherAdvance Notice – Customer Satisfaction Program 25N17 Certain 2015-2025 Model Year…
SSM 546012026-02-23Electrical SystemFord and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory…
25L022025-12-02Unknown Or OtherSpecial Field Action 25L02 Certain 2017-2024 Model Year California Emissions-Certified…
TSB 25-25702025-11-26Electrical SystemThis article supersedes TSB 24-2165 to update the TSB Service Procedure. Some vehicles…
SSM 543662025-11-11Power TrainSome 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Fiesta. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2018 Fiesta take?

NS of NS, per the factory manual.

Does the 2018 Fiesta have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Fiesta get?

EPA figures are 27 city / 37 highway / 31 combined mpg.